WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED?

PLEASE READ THE LIST BELOW TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE WHAT YOU NEED. Keep in mind, your situation may or may not require all of these, but always bring any tax documents or anything from the IRS or that had "Important Tax Document" on the envelope.

• Our VITA site provides free tax service to those earning $60,000 or less annually.


• REQUIRED: Current Photo Identification such as a driver's license, Mass ID, Passport for all adults listed on the return.


• REQUIRED: Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents. An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter may be substituted for you, your spouse and your dependents if you do not have a Social Security number. You must have a copy of your Social Security card (or ITIN)for everyone on your return.


• REQUIRED: Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN.


• REQUIRED: Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents included on the tax return.


• REQUIRED: Income information from wage and earning statements (All W2 or W-1099 related to income or money you earned)from all employers or other sources of income. If you worked as a Independent Contractor, you may receive 1099 forms, so please bring a list of your expenses related to any jobs such as Uber, Prime, InstaCart, etc. such as mileage, car expense, or other business expenses.


• REQUIRED: 1099-G Unemployment paid to you, or any other 1099-G from you may have received.


• REQUIRED: Interest and dividend statements from banks (Form 1099)or other entities.


• A copy of last year's federal and state returns, if available. If we did your taxes before, we may be able to access these in our system.


• REQUIRED: Proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit such as a blank check or form from your bank. It is best to bring a copy of your blank check with the word "VOID" written on it. Keep in mind if you have a refund, you are able to deposit portions in more than one account (example: some in a savings and some in a checking). A good way to save some of your refund!


• REQUIRED: To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be available to sign the required forms.


• REQUIRED if you had child care expenses: Total amount you paid for a daycare/childcare provider and the day care provider's tax identifying number such as their Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number. This also applied to individuals that are your dependent and require care so you may work, or go to school, or in some situations, while looking for work.


• REQUIRED: If you attended a college, university or training programs where you had expenses (a 1098-T form, receipts for books or other necessary supplies for attendance).

PLEASE BE SURE YOU DO HAVE RECEIPTS and keep them in the event the IRS has questions.

• REQUIRED: FEDERAL AND STATE Health Insurance Forms and copies of your health insurance cards: Health insurance information is often confusing. Insurance forms were sent out to insured people by the end of January. If you, or a member of your family had health insurance, you will get some tax documents in the mail. People often are confused because they might receive Federal forms and/or State (Massachusetts)forms. If you had help paying for your health insurance, please be sure to have (usually the 1095-A form). You may receive any of the following forms: 1095-A, 1095-B, 1095-C, and a 1099-HC, keep in mind some dependents may receive their own forms as well. Not having these required documents will delay your refund by several weeks to months and you will still need to obtain the form. Check and be sure if you have received an advanced credit to help with paying for your health insurance.


• Medical expenses - generally most people do not always have enough medical expenses based on their income to qualify for a medical deduction. When in doubt, please make a list of how much and what it was spent for (i.e. $200 glass, $350 prescriptions, $500 medical supplies, etc.) We can take a look and see if in your situation this would make a difference on your return.


• REQUIRED: Commuting expenses back and forth to work or school - see what you spent on any transportation to see if you qualify for any further deductions.


• REQUIRED: If you have any lottery winnings (W2-G), lottery taxes, or gambling casinos winnings/losses you have to report.


• REQUIRED: The amount of any cash earnings (even if you worked "under the table") that you must report. You must report all income you earn, even if you are not provided a tax form.


• REQUIRED: If you rent an apartment and live in Massachusetts, please be ready to provide the amount you paid for rent, how many months you paid rent, and the name and address of your landlord. If you have roommates that share in the rent, you must claim only the amount you actually paid.


• REQUIRED: If you own a home, please provide your 1098 Mortgage form which has the amount of mortgage interest and any other deductible items. You should also provide your water and sewer information if you are over the age of 65 and a resident of Massachusetts.


• REQUIRED: Senior Citizens (Over the age of 65) who rent or own a home, may qualify for the Senior Circuit Breaker Credit, which is worth up to $2,400.00 - even if you do not need to file a Federal Tax Return. You must be a Massachusetts resident, own or rent your home, and not receive subsidized rent.
  
  If you rent, you need to provide us the total amount you paid for the year. If you own your home, we will need your mortgage interest paid (if any), real estate taxes paid, and your water/sewer amounts paid, and what your home's current value.


• Finally, if you receive any document in the mail, that indicates it is a TAX related document, please bring it.