Tax time is almost here! Thank you for being our continuing client. We are striving to reduce turnaround time this year

We’ll be scheduling appointments during the following times:

Please call us or e-mail us with 2 dates/times that will work for you so we can set up your appointment.

What to bring to your appointment:
Please print off, complete and sign your Engagement Letter and What to Bring Checklist form and bring to your appointment (or send in) with your necessary documents. The checklist provides us with your contact info (mailing address, e-mail, phones and fax). It also helps us to get you get the maximum deductions and alleviates follow-ups for missing/incomplete data. Note that from January through May, we cannot answer tax questions over the phone. If you have a question, please email Karen. I’ll try to answer your question via e-mail or let you know that you need a tax consultation.

Also, if you have a Corporation or Partnership, we want to extend your corporate and personal returns until after the April 15^th due date. We will file extensions for you and complete your returns during April or May.

Here is some important information for your tax returns:

Many of these provisions were reinstated or are new for 2008.

• Deduction for State sales taxes. (Inc. sales tax paid on a vehicle) if they exceed your state income taxes paid.
• Deduction of qualified tuition and related expenses. Deduction for certain expenses of school teachers.
• New -Additional standard deduction for real property taxes for nonitemizers. ($500 single/$1000 married)
• New - First Time Homebuyer’s Credit of up to $7500 (also applies to those who haven’t owned in 3 years)

Energy Tax Incentives - here’s a list of some of the possible credits and deductions:

• Up to $2000 Credit for solar heaters or wind energy systems and $3000 Credit for new plug-in electric vehicles
• 10% Credit for energy efficiency improvements for existing homes.

Missing Information that requires the most follow-up:

• Student Status/Earnings on Children over 18
• Stock/Mutual Fund Cost Basis
• Day Care Provider Info
• Home Refi & Purchase Settlement Statements
• Charitable Cont. Receipts (Cash & Non-Cash)
• Last Paystub received in 2008
• Employee Business Expense Receipts/Mileage
• Job Hunting Expenses
• Vehicle Sales Tax
• IRA Early Distribution (Education, Medical) Receipts
• Current Mailing Address
• 2008 Estimated Payments made (IRS & State)
• Real Estate Taxes Paid in 2008
• Stimulus Payment Received
• Voided Check or RTN/Acct for Direct Deposit of Refund

When your return is finished, we will e-mail your invoice, tax return, your e-file permission forms (8879 and State 8453), and if necessary, your tax payment vouchers to you. When you receive your file, print out your e-file permission forms (8879 and State 8453), sign and date them. Then contact us for a pick-up appointment and bring your signed and dated e-file forms and a check for our services with you. If you are a long-distance client, please mail back your e-file forms with a check for our services. Also let us know if you’d prefer a printed copy of your tax return and source documents mailed to you or an e-mailed PDF file of your tax return and source documents or both.

To keep costs down, payment is expected when you pick up your return or when you mail back your e-file forms.

Any accounts requiring a rebilling will be subject to a rebilling fee and interest.

Hope to hear from you soon!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Mike Fitzgerald
Karen Fitzgerald

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