What to Bring to Your Tax Appointment

Please use this guide to help gather the documents you may need for your personal tax file. Not every item listed may apply to your situation, but this organizer can help you keep track of the documents that are relevant to you.

Please also be sure to review what new tax laws may affect your return.

What’s New?

You may be affected by changes in new State and Federal tax laws. If you work overtime, have purchased a ncew car, work for tips or are a senior, please review the changes below

Changes in Overtime Taxes

With effective dates between 2025 and 2028 filing years the ‘Premium’ amount of a taxpayer’s
overtime may be used as a deduction by qualified individuals. The maximum deduction that
may be taken will be $12,500 for single filers and $25,000 for married filers. The deduction
amount will ‘phase-out’ or lessen as the income goes above $150,000 for single filers and
$300,000 for married filers.
Your employer has been mandated to report these earnings on your behalf. This means that
your employer should be providing you with documentation to support your qualified deduction
on your tax return!
This will be in effect for both the Federal government and the State of Michigan returns!

Car Loan Interest Deduction

With effective dates between the 2025 and 2028 filing years, qualifying individuals may deduct
the interest paid on a loan to purchase a NEW vehicle for personal use. The maximum deduction for qualified individuals will be $10,000. The deduction will ‘phase-out’ or lessen for single filers that claim $100,000 or more in income and married filers who claim $200,000 in income. To qualify you must meet these criteria: vehicle purchase was after December 31st
2024, must be a new vehicle not used, must be for personal use not for business, and the vehicle must be secured by a lien holder. The two most important qualifications are, a gross weight of the vehicle less than 14,000 pounds and the vehicle’s final assembly must have been done in the United States. Your lien holder or lender must provide you with a statement at the beginning of the year to report qualified loan interest.

Tax on Tips

This deduction is for those who earn qualified tips that have been reported on forms W2 and of
1099 and fall within the occupations listed by the IRS (wait staff, hairdressers, etc.). The effective date for this deduction will be tax years 2025-2028.

Qualified tips will be those reported from cash, charge cards and or tip sharing through your occupation. The maximum annual deduction will be $25,000. The deduction will phase out for taxpayers with an adjusted gross income over $150,000 for single/ head of house filers and $300,000 fo married joint filers.

This will be in effect for both the Federal government and the State of Michigan returns!

Senior Income

Between the filing years of 2025 and 2028 people over the age of 65 as of the 31st of the previous year to filing will qualify for an additional $6,000 deduction. This deduction is per person, I.E a married couple who are both over 65 will receive a $12,000 deduction on their file. Unfortunately, this deduction also has a ‘phase-out’ at the income level of $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for married filers.

What to Bring

Personal Information

Tax Payer Full Name/Date of Birth
Tax payer Social Security Number
Tax Payer Occupation
Banking Routing/Account Number

Spouse and Family Information

Spouse Name, Occupation, Date of Birth, and Social Security Number
Any Dependents’ Date of Birth and Social Security Number

Contact Information

Best Address to Contact You
Best Cell Phone Number to Reach You

For Income

• W2,
• 1099-R (Retirement/Disability Statements and/or Early Withdrawls)
• Social Security (1099-SSA)
• Unemployment Income
• Interest Statements from Banks/Credit Unions (1099-INT)
• Stocks and Dividends Worksheets
• W2-G (Gambling Winnings)
• 109-Misc/Nec/Etc.
ANY DOCUMENT YOU MAY HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT

Itemized Deductions for Schedule A

Though this might not apply, please bring in any documents below:
• Mortgage Income Statements
• Property Tax Statements
• License Plate Fees
• Charitable Contributions/Church Tithes

Additional Documents

• Student Loan Interest Statements
• Cancellation of Debt
• HSA Contributions/Distributions
• Paid Child Care Provider Information
• Tuition Information (1099)
• Medical Insurance, Especially a 1095-A Marketplace Coverage
• January Consumers Bill
FOR RENTERS: If you rent, your landlord’s name, address, and monthly rent amount.

IF ANY NEW CHANGES APPLY TO YOU

Gathering these documents ahead of time will make your appointment faster and smoother. Thank you for taking the time to be prepared!