As we head into October, tax season may feel like it’s still a few months away, but the families and small business owners who work with experienced tax preparers know that the smartest moves happen before December 31. Getting organized now means less stress come January, a faster turnaround on your return, and fewer last-minute surprises. Here’s a practical look at what to start pulling together before you sit down with your tax preparer this coming season.
Start With Your Income Documents
This sounds obvious, but income documentation is where most people hit a snag. Think beyond your W-2. If you freelance, do side work, or received any 1099 forms last year, those all need to be accounted for. Rental income, Social Security benefits, unemployment, interest and dividend statements from your bank or investment accounts — all of it matters.
Small business owners in Noblesville, IN and throughout the surrounding areas often have the most complex picture here. If you run your own business, gather your profit and loss records, any business income received through payment apps or online platforms, and records of estimated tax payments you made throughout the year. The more complete your picture, the smoother your appointment goes.
Round Up Your Deductions and Credits
This is where preparation really pays off. Deductions and credits you can’t document are deductions and credits you can’t claim. Before your appointment, try to have the following organized:
- Mortgage interest statements (Form 1098) and property tax records
- Charitable donation receipts, including non-cash contributions
- Medical and dental expenses not covered by insurance
- Childcare costs and the provider’s tax ID number
- Education expenses, including student loan interest statements
- Records of energy-efficient home improvements, if applicable
For business owners, add mileage logs, home office measurements, equipment and supply receipts, and any professional fees or subscriptions you paid for business use.
Gather Your Personal and Household Information
A few basics trip people up every year. Make sure you have Social Security numbers for yourself, your spouse, and any dependents. If you had a baby, got married, or went through a divorce since filing your last return, your preparer needs to know. Life changes affect your filing status, your eligibility for certain credits, and your overall tax picture in ways that matter quite a bit.
If you purchased or sold a home, bring the closing documents. If you sold investments, gather those transaction records too. Capital gains and losses require documentation, and they can shift your tax liability noticeably.
Don’t Overlook Health Insurance Records
If you or anyone in your household bought health coverage through the marketplace, you’ll receive a Form 1095-A. Hold onto it. If you have employer-sponsored insurance, you may receive a 1095-B or 1095-C. These forms confirm coverage and are sometimes needed to reconcile premium tax credits. This is a detail that’s easy to misplace, so set it aside somewhere visible as soon as it arrives.
Review Last Year’s Return
Pulling out your previous year’s return is one of the simplest things you can do, and it’s genuinely helpful. It gives your preparer a baseline, helps catch anything that might be missing this year, and can surface carryover items like capital loss carryforwards or prior-year state tax refunds that may be taxable.
At Killingbeck Insurance & Tax Preparation, we’ve been helping people across Kokomo, Noblesville, and the surrounding communities prepare accurate, complete returns for decades. Our clients in Noblesville, IN and beyond appreciate that we’re available year-round, not just during the traditional filing window, so there’s never a bad time to start getting organized or to ask a question.
Whether you prefer to come into our office, drop off your documents, or use our secure online portal, we make the process as straightforward as possible. If you’re not sure what you need or you have questions before your appointment, please give us a call or drop us an email. We’re happy to help you start the year off right.