Posted by TJ on Wednesday February 4, 2009 @ 12:55 PM
[Tags: accounting, taxes, guide]

Here are tips to save time and money by preparing to meet with your CPA professional tax return accountant:

1. Take your documents out of envelopes - neatly organized files saves you time.
   
2. If your going to new preparer bring copies of prior year return (fed and state)
   
3. Unless you want to pay your preparer to sort, organize, and add up receipts. Have your receipts organized and totaled by category. Have other relevant documents organized by category.
   
4. Provide relevant computer data files - If you track your finances with a program such as Quicken or Excel, bring the data file with you OR provide category reports to the accountant. He may see a deduction you missed or need additional information then. You also may want to provide a year end credit card statement for same reason.
   
5. have SS#, birthdate, and names of all dependents
   
6. Have your bank account information (routing# and account#) for direct deposit of refunds
   
7. Have cost basis of any stocks sold
   
8. Provide closing documents if you bought/sold home.
   
9. A summary sheet with all information you are providing is always helpful but not necessary. This will make sure we don't miss anything.