• Have everything you need to get your taxes done correctly.tax forms image by Chad McDermott from Fotolia.com
  
  Taxes are an inevitable part of life, and each year as the income tax deadline approaches, there is always the moment when you wonder if you have everything you need to file. Whether you choose to prepare your own taxes, go to a tax preparer's office or use online software, the basic information needed will remain the same. Use a checklist to help ensure you have everything required to properly fill out the forms and to get the most benefit from the tax laws.
  
  

Personal Information

• Personal information identifies the taxpayer and any dependents that are included on the tax return. Make sure you have your own Social Security number and the numbers of anyone else who will be listed on the return, including a spouse or dependent children.
  
  You will also need to provide identification for any child care providers to qualify for the related tax credits. The Social Security number of the provider or the tax identification number of the facility will suffice for these purposes, according to the MSN Money Central website.
  
  

Employment and Income

• The main factor in determining the amount of tax liability or refund is the information provided about income and employment. Those who earn money from a job during the year will receive a W-2 form from their employer early in the following year or will receive IRS Form 1099 for contracted work.
  
  Income from a trust, pension, annuity, Social Security benefits, alimony, jury duty pay, significant gambling winnings, cash awards and state or local tax refunds must also be included on the taxpayer's return. This information is typically provided by the institution the money came from, and is sent through the mail on one of several IRS forms.
  
  

Homeowner or Rental Information

• Have the residential address of the place you lived in during the tax year to include on the return. In addition, the lender on a mortgage will send out a Form 1098 to indicate the amount of interest paid on the loan during the tax year. Have this information ready so that the total can be deducted from the tax liability. The sale of a home, real estate taxes paid, rent paid or moving expenses are also needed to complete a tax return.
  
  

Assets and Liabilities

• In addition to regular income, your tax return will need to include some information about your financial assets and liabilities in some instances, typically when itemization is being calculated on a return. Simple returns may not require as much detail.
  
  Among the items that you may have listed as assets or liabilities are income from interest-bearing accounts, dividend income, unemployment compensation, auto loan or lease account numbers for cars used for business purposes, early CD withdrawal penalties and property taxes paid.
  
  

Deduction and Credit Adjustment Information

• Be sure to have all the information that may help you reap the benefits of current tax credits and deductions. Many common items that will reduce the total taxes owed include charitable contributions, purchasing a home, student loan interest, non-reimbursed expenses for volunteer work or for business, investment expenses, job hunting expenses, child care expenses, medical savings account information, adoption expenses and tax return preparation fees for the previous year.