While most see January as the start of something new, you should also see it as a time to start the collection of your prior year information. Here are some things to consider:

Receive and Review Informational Tax Forms. Create a list of all your anticipated W-2s, 1099-MISC, 1099-DIV, 1099-B, and SSA-1099s. Check them off as you receive them, but not before confirming the information is accurate.

Be aware of other informational tax form needs. Here are some of the more common.

	W2-G for any gambling winnings
	1099-G for any tax refunds or unemployment payments
	1099-K for any credit card activity over $20,000 and 200 transactions. Look for this if you are a heavy seller on sites like Amazon or E-bay.

Don’t forget your 1098s. Like 1099’s, Form 1098’s provide information to help maximize your possible tax deductions. Here are some of the most common.

	1098 mortgage interest statement
	1098-T for confirmation of tuition and fee payments to colleges and universities.
	1098-C for confirmation of the value of contributed property like a used car to a charitable organization.
	1098-E to report any student loan interest

The NEW 1095. Most taxpayers will now need to provide proof of adequate health insurance. This proof will be required to file your tax return and is typically done using Form 1095. Your employer will usually provide this to you if you are not purchasing insurance through Medicare or through the new Federal Affordable Care Act marketplace. Please be aware of this new form and look for it.

Other records; Collect your receipts and sort them. Using last year’s tax return, begin to gather and sort your necessary tax records. Sort your tax records to match the items on your tax return. Make sure you have the necessary documentation. Here is a master list of the more common in no particular order:

	Informational tax forms (W-2, 1099, 1098, 1095-A, plus others) that disclose wages, interest income, dividends, and capital gain/loss activity
	Other forms that disclose possible income (jury duty, unemployment, IRA distributions and similar items)
	Business K-1 forms
	Social Security records
	Mortgage interest statements
	Tuition paid statements
	Property tax statements
	Mileage log(s) for business, moving, medical, and charitable driving
	Medical, dental and vision expenses
	Business expenses
	Records of any asset purchases and sales
	Health insurance records (including Medicare and Medicaid)
	Charitable contribution receipts and documentation
	Bank and investment statements
	Credit card statements
	Records of any out of state purchases that may require use tax
	Records of any estimated tax payments
	Home sales records
	Educational expenses (including student loan interest expense)
	Casualty and theft loss documentation
	Moving expenses
	Retirement contribution records

Remember, if in doubt whether something is important for tax purposes, retain the documentation. It is better to save unnecessary documentation than to wish you had saved the documents to support your deduction. By starting now, you can identify missing items in time to meet the tax filing deadline.