At The Tax Advantage, we are committed to providing personalized service at a reasonable rate. Our prices are less than those of the big chains, and our fees include year-round tax assistance and audit support. Unlike most of the big chains, you will have an enrolled agent with over 35 years experience preparing your tax return. Preparing your taxes can often be a stressful experience, but not if you let us do the heavy lifting for you. All you have to do is bring us the required documents, and we'll take care of the rest. Electronic filing is offered at no additional charge, initial consultations and most California returns are free, and we are available year-round. We also review prior year tax returns at  no extra charge. Please call for a convenient daytime, evening or weekend appointment (no cost or obligation for the initial appointment). See the checklist below for a list of items needed to file your return. We also offer bookkeeping and accounting services, and are well trained in the new tax laws. 

The following is a checklist of the items we will need to prepare your personal tax return:

[ ] W-2’s received from employers and 1099’s received from other payers, banks, credit unions, stock brokers, state, etc (separate
documentation needed if tips and/or overtime not shown separately on the W-2’s)
[ ] 1095’s regarding medical coverage / contributions or withdrawals made to an HSA (include 1099-SA)
[ ] Statements regarding sales of any investments, and the cost basis for those sales (1099-B and supplemental statements)
[ ] Recap of accounts or other assets held in foreign countries
[ ] Documentation of all virtual currency or other digital asset transactions made during the year
[ ] Items purchased on the internet or from out of state where no sales tax was paid
[ ] Payroll reports and W-2’s for any household workers employed during the year
[ ] Other income such as unemployment (1099-G), alimony, business income (1099-NEC), retirement distributions (1099-R), foreign
accounts, social security (SSA-1099), tips, overtime pay, pensions, annuities, rents (1099-MISC), royalties, estates, trusts, etc
[ ] Social security cards, drivers licenses, birthdays for yourself and dependents, along with dependent documentation (see organizer)
[ ] Interest statements (1098’s) from mortgage lenders for each home loan you had during the year
[ ] 1098 or similar document that shows the amount of interest paid on a qualifying new car loan (we also need the vehicle VIN)
[ ] Property tax paid on personal residence and/or other property
[ ] 1099-A and 1099-C received as a result of foreclosures, short sales, or any other debt forgiveness
[ ] Receipted donations to charity (see separate instructions on our website for documentation requirements)
[ ] Vehicle license fees and sales taxes paid to the DMV and/or the county for vehicles and vessels
[ ] Medical and dental expenses, if significant (over 7.5% of income)
[ ] Higher education expenses (1098-T and book receipts), student loan interest (1098-E), 529 plan distributions (1099-Q), adoption
costs, alimony paid (include the date of your latest alimony agreement)
[ ] Job-related expenses such as union dues, tools, safety equipment, uniforms, educator expenses, supplies, books, magazines, travel,
job search, moving expenses, computers, entertainment, gifts, cell phones, home offices, and other un- reimbursed work expenses.
Also tax preparation and investment fees, certain legal expenses, safe deposit box fees, IRA fees (most of these items are deductible
for state tax purposes only)
[ ] If you bought or sold a home, the closing or settlement statement from your title company (and 1099-S if applicable)
[ ] If you refinanced your home loan, the closing statement or settlement statement from your title company
[ ] Name, address, phone number, and social security number or EIN of your child care provider
[ ] Energy saving home improvements or electric vehicles purchased
[ ] Correspondence received from the IRS and/or other taxing authorities
[ ] IRA contributions made or expected to be made through April 15, 2026 / Rollover IRA information
[ ] 2025 Tax Year Organizer and Questionnaire

Questions?
​Call us at (925)754-9299 or (925)685-2137
Email: [email protected]