Per the recently enacted PATH Act, refunds for returns claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Additional Child Tax Credit (CTC) will not be released from the IRS until Mid-March.

The IRS will start processing tax returns in the last week in January, however, returns claim­ing the EITC or CTC may take up to four weeks to process.

If you claim either of these credits and usually file early, plan on a slight delay in receiving your refund this year.

If you are not claiming either of these credits and are entitled to a refund, you can expect it in the normal time frame. The IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 calendar days. If you have questions, please give me a call.

Tax time can be hectic and stressful! We are committed to helping you during this time by guiding you through this annual process. We’ll start with a list of items frequently missed. Make sure you check it against your list.

√ Employer Reimbursement
√ Child Care Expenses
√ Special Accounts
√ Social Security Benefit
√ Sale of Propert
√ Student Loans
√ College Tuition

GOT IT ALL!!

Here’s a list of items frequently missed.  Check it against your list.

• Refinances.  We need to see the settlement statement.
• Child Care Expenses.  We need full name, address, and telephone and I.D. number of care providers.
• Estimated Tax Payments.  Find date and amount for payments.  Look near April 15, June 15, and Sept. 15 of 2010, and Jan. 15 of 2011.  A Jan. 2010 payment was used on your 2009 return.
• Sale of Property.  The most important thing is the settlement statement or HUD—1.
• Student Loans.  Form 1098-E reports interest.  We need this plus information about the type of loan.
• College Tuition.  Form 1098-T list college tuition paid.  This information can be found on the school’s website, under your personal account.
• Sale of Stock.  Form 1099-B shows sale price. We need data on the original purchase.
• Employer Reimbursement.  If your employer reimburses any of your expenses we need records to ensure we claim only the excess.
• Partnership Information. Schedule K-1 from partnerships and LLC’s always seem to arrive late.  Don’t worry.  Let’s do the rest of your return, and be ready to go when the K-1 arrive.
• Social Security Benefits.  Find the form 1099-SSA.  We need to declare the  gross amount you were paid, not your net monthly benefit.
• Special Accounts.  Do you contribute to an IRA, Roth IRA, or Health Savings Account?  These and others can cut your taxes.
• Complex Transactions.  Please call early if you have an unusual or difficult transaction.  Foreclosures, sales or exchanges of real estate, casualties, and such can take a lot of extra work.

Basic Checklist Individuals
Basic Checklist Ministers
Basic Checklist Small Business
Sample Parsonage Report Worksheet