All “official” paperwork received by you, such as W-2s, 1099s, from banks, social security, pensions, IRA withdrawals, employers, K-1s, Constancias, etc. We don’t have to have the actual originals, but we do need a copy or fax of the originals. All of these can be sent securely to us using our Citrix file sharing site with bank level security, please do not send as e-mail attachments. If you need to send something via email ask us for a secure link and we will send to you for secure file uploading. This is very easy to use and critical for data security.
All brokerage statements, NOT the 12/31 statement, but the one labeled “Important Tax Information” which will contain your official 1099s. If you have sales of investments (shown on a 1099-B), there will be a number for “Gross Proceeds from Sales”. We also need a statement showing the gains and losses for investments. Some brokers include this with this statement; others do not and you have to ask them for it separately. Also keep in mind if you have invested in partnerships through your broker they do not automatically send you K-1s for those investments you will need to track them down separately.
A copy of a US check (write VOID over it) so we can get routing and account numbers for direct deposit of a refund or direct IRS payment. It is NOT advisable to have a refund check mailed to you in Mexico, they frequently go missing. If you need to pay estimated taxes, we must set it up electronically at the time of your return preparation, or you will later have to go online yourself to make electronic payments.
If you have a rental property, we will need the information from the prior year as to address, etc. Please make sure you have a depreciation schedule for an existing rental property. If not, ask your previous accountant to provide one. If we are setting up a rental for the first time, we have a list of questions to ask for more details.
Deductions: Many people overseas use the Standard Deduction because they are no longer paying mortgage interest, real estate or state income taxes, and do not meet the level for itemizing deductions. This will be even more common with the Tax reform for 2018. However, if you do have enough deductions to itemize, we will need the 1098 form for mortgage interest and taxes, and a list of other deductions, such as medical expenses, charity, etc.
There is also available an official “organizer”. Some of you may have used this with other preparers. To us it feels like a lot of paperwork to fill out, but if you prefer to work in this fashion, we are more than happy to send you an organizer.
For new clients, we need a simple interview, either by phone or in person, and questionnaires to organize basic personal information and to assess the work you need. If you are in the Lake Chapala area or Guadalajara, please call for an appointment at (376) 765-5273.
Payment can be received through PayPal (US debit, credit or personal PayPal account), by US check or via wire to our U.S. business account. All fees are in US Dollars, but will be converted to pesos, if you are paying in pesos, utilizing exchange rates published at www.bloomberg.com as of the day you pay.
A deposit is required to begin work on your current year return for new clients, and will be credited to your final price. This deposit is 50% of the estimated total return fee. You will receive an email with a link to PayPal requesting a deposit payment after our initial phone call. All your financial information is completely secure, and you do not have to have your own PayPal account. PayPal fees of 3% are added to the invoice for processing.
You will be invoiced for your final bill, with all schedules shown per the fee schedule, before the return is e-filed and/or copies and original documents returned.
Return to us signed e-file authorization forms as required and signed client disclaimer. A link to the standard individual client contract is here.