FAQs
Click on the + (on the right hand side) of each question to show the answers below.
What do I need for my appointment?
- Wage statements/W-2s
- Self-employment business income and expenses/1099-MISC
- Pension, retirement income/1099-R
- Unemployment income/1099-G
- Canceled Debt Amount/1099-C
- Social Security income/SSA-1099
- Statements on the sales of stocks or bonds/1099-B
- Interest and dividend income /1099-INT/1099-DIV
- Gambling winnings
- Income and expenses from rentals
- Alimony paid or received
- Record of purchase or sale of residence
- Medical and dental expenses (if expected to exceed 7.5% of your total income)
- Real estate taxes paid
- Receipts for charitable donations
- Mortgage or home equity loan interest/1098
- Tuition and Education Fees/1098-T
- Student loan interest/1098-E
- Child care expenses and provider information
NEW CLIENT? If you are a new client, please review our New Client Information page.
ALL CLIENTS: If you have any questions, feel free to contact us before your appointment.
Should I file jointly or separately?
I just had a baby. What documents do I need?
I just bought a house. What paperwork do I need?
I am a Railroad Employee. What paperwork do I need?
Yes, please check out our Railroad Employee Tax Preparation page.
I am a Teacher. What paperwork do I need?
I am a Police Officer / Law Enforcement. What paperwork do I need?
In addition to the usual documents, like your W-2’s and 1099’s, please also have your final pay stub which will show your union dues for the year. If you made work purchases, including but not limited to a new weapon, vest, cuffs, uniform, or dry cleaning, please have that information available. If you are on call or required to have a cell phone for work purposes, please add up that portion of your cell phone bills. Likewise, if you’re required to have your own computer, please add up the total cost for your internet service provider and if you purchased a new computer last year let us know the amount you paid and the date of purchase. If you regularly appear in court and use your own vehicle to drive, that mileage may be deductible. We will detail the record keeping requirements, so you can get the best possible deduction.
I have rental income. What paperwork do I need?
In addition to your usual personal income tax documents, such as your W-2’s and 1099’s, please add up each of the following categories for the year:
- Rents collected
- Advertising expenses
- Management Fees
- Cleaning and maintenance
- Mortgage interest
- Property taxes
- Mortgage insurance
- Home owner’s insurance
- Lawyers and accounting fees
- Minor repairs (things you expect to do yearly)
- Utilities and user fees
- For major improvements or appliance purchases, do not combine them into a single total. Keep these expenses separate so we can properly depreciate them.
For the vehicle that you use for servicing the rental, your mileage will be deductible. We will detail the record keeping requirements, so you can get the best possible deduction.
I am a Sole Proprietor / Self-Employed (Schedule C). What paperwork do I need?
In addition to your usual personal income tax documents, such as your W-2’s and 1099’s, please add up each of the following categories for the year:
- Advertising
- Commissions and fees
- Contract labor (we will help you file your 1099’s if needed)
- Business insurance
- Liability insurance
- Legal and professional fees
- Office supplies and expenses
- Postage
- Repairs and maintenance of business equipment
- Supplies (not inventory)
- Government fees and licenses
- Meal and entertainment and expenses (Christopher will discuss record keeping and deductibility with you)
- Utilities
- Cell phone expenses
- Internet service provider cost
- Web hosting and design
- Data and cloud services
- Wages
- Payroll taxes
- Major purchases (do not total these, instead give them to us individually with the date and amount)
The mileage on your business vehicle(s) is deductible. We will explain the record keeping requirements, so you can get the best possible deduction. This is one of the largest deductions for self employed individuals. Feel free to call our office at 716-989-1067 if you have any questions regarding this.
I have a Partnership / S Corp. What paperwork do I need?
In addition to your usual personal income tax documents, such as your W-2’s and 1099’s, please add up each of the following categories for the year:
- Advertising
- Commissions and fees
- Contract labor (we will help you file your 1099’s if needed)
- Business insurance
- Liability insurance
- Legal and professional fees
- Office supplies and expenses
- Postage
- Repairs and maintenance of business equipment
- Supplies (not inventory)
- Government fees and licenses
- Meal and entertainment and expenses (We will discuss record keeping and deductibility with you)
- Utilities
- Cell phone expenses
- Internet service provider cost
- Web hosting and design
- Data and cloud services
- Wages
- Payroll taxes
- Major purchases (do not total these, instead give them to us individually with the date and amount)
- Wages paid to yourself or draws from the businesses
The mileage on all business vehicles is deductible. We will explain the record keeping requirements, so you can get the best possible deduction. This is one of the largest deductions for businesses. Feel free to call our office at 716-989-1067 if you have any questions regarding this.
And please don’t forget to bring to bring your books. Whatever system you use we can work with.
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Buffalo Tax Service
Professional Income Tax Preparation for Individuals and Businesses
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