Whether you are filing on your own or for a small business, taxes can seem like a daunting task for anyone who is new to the process. You can get trained to be an expert in tax services or work with a business tax training program, but regardless of the route you choose, tax prep training doesn't have to be scary. With Xquisite Tax, we're here to help you prepare your personal and business taxes, and set you on the right path for proper filing. Here is a convenient and simple checklist for you to follow while putting together your documents for tax season.

Personal Documentation

It may seem like an obvious first step, but many find themselves unprepared when it comes to information about themselves. Make sure you have all the birth dates and social security numbers of not just yourself but also of anyone else you are filing with. You will also need your routing and account numbers for your bank account if you wish for the taxes to be direct deposited into your account.

Income Information

Depending on your past working situations, there are various tax forms you may need to provide from previous years. A standard form everyone receives from an employer is a W-2, which you will need in order to file. From here, the documents that you may need vary for each individual situation. For example, if you received any taxable alimony or social security benefits, you will need documentation of that.

Income Adjustments

There are certain things that may reduce your tax amount due and even increase what you receive as a refund. These include student loan debt, educator expenses, your Health Savings Account, IRA contributions, and more. This list is not all-inclusive, so be sure to look into any expenses that you believe may increase your refund amount.

Tax Deductions

Similar to the idea of income adjustments, tax deductions or credits will allow you to save more money during tax time. Child care, charitable donations, medical and dental expenses, theft or casualty losses, and energy credits are all examples of things that could reduce your tax burden. A proper tax prep training program will make sure you have the documentation of anything you wish to submit for this deduction.

According to The College Investor, nearly 50% of people used tax software to file their taxes, with a growing 11% using full-service tax software to fulfill their needs. There are so many options when it comes to how you can file your taxes with ease, and how to keep the required documentation on file and in a safe place. Let Xquisite Tax be there to help you with all your tax training programs and tax filing needs, all in one convenient place. Give us a call today to take that first step towards structured, easy tax prep training!