By Eric P. Rothenberg, Esq. –
In order for you or your preparer to do a good job on your income tax returns, which in turn will reduce the risk of being audited, here are some notions you must keep in mind. The Internal Revenue Service requires individuals to gather the adequate documents that can also help provide answers if their return is selected for an audit or to prepare a response if they receive an IRS notice.
There’s a list of tips and facts designed to help you begin planning to file your 2015 income tax returns.
Basic Recordkeeping:
Identify sources of income. This is one of the least done tax preparations that needs to be done. The IRS’s position is that all income is taxable unless you can prove otherwise. When you get audited, usually two years or more after you have filed, you will not remember what each deposit is unless you record it at the time. Doing so will help you separate business from nonbusiness income and taxable from nontaxable income while it’s fresh in your mind. You should save proof of every deposit that is not income or taxable to you.
Keep track of expenses. Use records to identify expenses for which a deduction can be claimed. This helps determine if deductions can be itemized on the tax return.
Keep track of the basis of property. This includes the original cost or other basis of the property and any improvements made. This is true for stocks and bonds, rental real estate, business real estate, but also your primary home and vacation homes!
Prepare tax returns. Records are needed to prepare a tax return. Any professional tax return preparer should require you to provide them with written documentation of every figure used in the returns.
Support items reported on tax returns. The IRS will likely question an item on a taxpayer’s return. Their records will help explain any item and arrive at the correct tax. If the correct documents cannot be produced, this could result in the payment of additional tax and potentially be subject to both interest and penalties.
Records such as receipts, canceled checks and other documents that support an item of income, deduction or credit appearing on a return must be kept as long as they are relevant under federal tax law. Generally, this will be until the statute of limitation expires for that return. For assessment of tax owed on a timely-filed return, this usually is three years from the due date of the return. It can be six years for larger missing income items and there is no limitation for willful behavior.
Kinds of Records to Keep
Although the law does not require any special form of records, be sure to keep all receipts, canceled checks or other proof of payment and any other records to support any deductions or credits claimed. Also, for any refunds claimed, a taxpayer’s records must show that they actually overpaid their tax.
Electronic records – All requirements that apply to hard copy books and records also apply to electronic storage systems that maintain tax books and records. When replacing hard copy books and records, make sure to maintain the electronic storage systems for as long as they apply under federal tax law. Most tax experts recommend at least a 7 year period.
Copies of tax returns – These can help prepare future returns and could be needed if filing an amended return or for an audit. Copies of past returns and other records can also be helpful to the survivor or executor or administrator of a taxpayer’s estate. Again, these should be saved for at least seven years.
If you cannot locate yours, request a copy of a return and all attachments (including Form W-2) from the IRS by using Form 4506, Request for Copy of Tax Return. There is a charge for a copy of a return. This is only available for a limited time so do that now.
Basic Records – These are documents that everybody should keep and that prove income and expenses. If a taxpayer owns a home or investments, basic records should contain documents related to those items.
Income – These records prove the amounts reported as income on the tax return and may include wages, dividends, interest and partnership or S corporation distributions. Records can also prove that certain amounts are not taxable, such as tax-exempt interest. If a taxpayer receives a Form W-2, they should keep Copy C until they begin receiving Social Security benefits to protect their benefits in case there is a question about their work record or earnings in a particular year.
Expenses – Basic records prove the expenses for which a deduction or credit is claimed on a tax return. Deductions may include alimony, charitable contributions, mortgage interest and real estate taxes. There may also be child care expenses for which a credit can be claimed. Remember, just because a business expense can sometimes be a deduction, you still must prove that it’s an ordinary and necessary expense. That means saving the documentation of what was done and why it’s deductible.
Home – These records should enable you to determine the basis or adjusted basis of your home. This information will be needed to determine if there is a gain or loss when selling a home or to figure depreciation if part of the home is used for business purposes or for rent. Records should show the purchase price, settlement or closing costs and the cost of any improvements. They also may show any casualty losses deducted and insurance reimbursements for casualty losses. Records also should include a copy of Form 2119, Sale of Your Home, if a previous home was sold before May 7, 1997, and postponed tax on the gain from that sale. When selling a home, records should show the sale price and any selling expenses, such as commissions.
Investments – Basic records should enable taxpayers to determine their basis in an investment and whether they have a gain or loss when selling it. Investments include stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Records should show the purchase price, sales price and commissions. They may also show any reinvested dividends, stock splits and dividends, load charges and original issue discount (OID).
Proof of Payment – Taxpayers should keep these records to support certain amounts shown on their tax return. Proof of payment alone is not proof that the item claimed on the return is allowable. Taxpayers should also keep other documents that will help prove that the item is allowable under the tax code! Generally, payments are substantiated with a cash receipt, financial account statement, credit card statement, canceled check or substitute check. If payments are made in cash, be sure to get a dated and signed receipt showing the amount and the reason for the payment. If payments are made using a bank account, it is possible to prove payment with an account statement.
Account statements – It is possible to prove payment with a legible financial account statement prepared by a bank or other financial institution.
Pay statements – Taxpayers may have deductible expenses withheld from their paycheck, such as charitable contributions, union dues or medical insurance premiums. Be sure to keep year-end or final-pay statements as proof of payment of these expenses
Health Insurance documentation – While the IRS does not require you to submit documentation of health coverage with their tax returns, gathering documents in advance will help return preparation at tax time. Beginning with records for tax years 2014, you should keep insurance cards, explanation of benefits statements from their insurer, W-2 or payroll statements reflecting health insurance deductions, records of advance payments of the premium tax credit and other statements indicating that they or a family member had and maintained health care coverage.
If claiming the premium tax credit, taxpayers will need information about any advance credit payments received through the Health Insurance Marketplace, the type of coverage obtained at the Marketplace, the premiums paid, and the months covered.
If you or any of your family members are granted a coverage exemption from the Marketplace, they will receive a notice from the Marketplace with their Exemption Certificate Number. You should keep this notice, along with any other documentation to support an exemption claimed on the tax return. If a taxpayer has employees, they should keep all employment tax records for at least four years after the tax becomes due or is paid, whichever is later.
Create an Electronic Additional Set of Records
Emergencies can happen anytime. By keeping a duplicate set of records including bank statements, tax returns, identifications and insurance policies in a safe place and away from the original set, you can ensure protection of your records in the event of loss of records from flood, fire, or other destruction. Keeping an additional set of records is easier now that many financial institutions provide statements and documents electronically, and much financial information is available on the Internet. Even if the original records are only provided on paper, these can be scanned into an electronic format.
