What You Need to Get Started

Gathering all your tax documents ensures an accurate return and fast refund.

 

It is required that you bring all the following tax-related documents to your tax appointment:

• All taxpayers must be present with photo identification.

• Social Security cards or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) letter for all the people you list on your tax return.

• Copies of last year’s federal and state tax returns.

• Birthdates for all the people you list on your return.

• All income statements, such as Forms W-2 and 1099, Social Security and unemployment compensation, as well as other statements such as pensions, stocks, interest and any documents showing taxes withheld.

• If you are self-employed or make cash, collect records of all your income and expenses.

• Form 1098, for payments to tuition, student loan interest, mortgage interest, or real estate taxes.

• Forms 1095A if you purchased insurance coverage through Covered California.

• Identity theft PIN issued by the IRS.

• Bank routing numbers and account numbers to direct deposit any refund.

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Returns that are considered Out-of-Scope
 

If any of the following apply, we are not able to assist you:

• Incomes more than $60,000

• Married Filing Separately returns (If you are legally married & file alone - you may be a Married Filing Separate taxpayer - this is out of scope and we will not be able to assist you).

• Self-employed or cash income with certain deductions:

  • Taking expenses with no proof (receipts, documented mileage, etc. are required).

  • Business related expenses over $20,000.

  • Have a loss.

  • Businesses with employees, inventory, or business property.

  • Returns for companies and/or businesses.

Self-employed taxpayers may benefit from seeing a paid preparer to take deductions with no proof or cannot substantiate. The free program follows guidelines set by the IRS. 

• Cancelled debt income (Forms 1099C and 1099A) for foreclosures or short sales.

• Handwritten tax documents (W-2, 1099, 1098, etc.).

• Returns for visitors, such as “F,” “J,” “M,” or “Q” visas, that require a 1040NR tax return.

• Foreign Income.

• Royalty Income.

• Partnership or income from an LLC (Form K-1).

• Rental Income or income from AirBnB.

• Sale of cryptocurrencies. Please, see a paid preparer. 

• Sale of stocks with more than 20 sales. Please, see a paid preparer.

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Forms that WE DO NOT NEED (These are nontaxable):

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• Child Support

• Veterans Benefit

• Life insurance when someone passes

• Settlements not related to a job or employment

• CalFresh or food assistance

• CalWorks or welfare cash assistance from the county

• Inheritance, gifts, or bequests

• Alimony for divorces after 2018

• Money from a scholarship is not taxable. However, if you use the money for room and board, or use it to pay other personal expenses, that portion is normally taxable.

• Health insurance from an employer or county (Forms 1095B and 1095C)