It’s GO Time for Tax Time
It’s GO Time for Tax Time
Your GO2 2024 Tax Filing Checklist
Tax Season always seems to sneak up on you, right? Although there’s about 4 months to get your tax return into the IRS, that April 15, 2024 deadline can arrive in the blink of an eye. But don’t sweat it - whether you’re filing online, on paper, or using a tax preparer, we’ve got you covered. Follow this checklist to see what you might need to get the job done right.
Dates
First off, when is everything due? Great question.
January 29, 2024 – IRS will begin accepting and processing 2023 tax year returns
January 31, 2024 – Deadline for employers and businesses to file W-2 and 1099 forms
April 15, 2024 – Federal tax filing deadline (except April 17 for Maine and Massachusetts)
Forms
You might have one of these forms or multiple. Be sure to read through and see which ones you should probably have before you start filing.
Form W-2 – Wage and Tax Statement
You most likely got a W-2 if you worked a full-time job in 2023. This form shows how much income you’ve made for the year from that job, how much you paid in taxes for the year, and how much your employer withheld income tax, Medicare tax, and Social Security tax throughout the year. You should receive this form by January 31, 2024.
Form 1099-MISC – Miscellaneous Income
Did you work a bunch of freelance jobs in 2023? If you were paid $600 or more from a single person or business during the year, you should receive one of these forms from each person or business that hired you and paid during the year.
Form 1099-NEC – Nonemployee Compensation
Are you self-employed or running your own business with the same Employee of the Month every month, aka yourself? Good, because this form typically means you’re self-employed. Every business you did work for throughout the year is required to issue a Form 1099-NEC if they paid you $600 or more. If you’re using this form, you’ll also get to claim business deductions on your Schedule C.
1099-K, Payment Card and Third-Party Network Transactions
Are you running your own business and accepting online credit card payments and/or other electronic payments from your customers? Then this form is for you. If you received payments exceeding $600, no matter how many transactions with customers got you to that amount, you’ll need to file this form on your Schedule C. If you drove for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft, you’ll also need a 1099-K.
Form 1099-G – Certain Government Payments
Did you collect unemployment in 2023? That compensation is still taxable and needs to be included on your tax return. Look out for this form from the government.
Form SSA-1099 – Social Security
Did you receive Social Security benefits this year? This form will show much you received over the year in order to accurately report it on your tax return.
Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement
Did you pay college tuition in 2023? You should receive this from the institution where you’re making these expenses. This form may help you qualify for tax credits and other deductions.
Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement
Did you get health insurance from the marketplace this year? If so, be on the lookout for this form, or check your account at HealthCare.gov. This form could include premium used tax credits and paid premiums.
Form 2441 - Child and Dependent Care Expenses
Did you hire care for a child under the age of 13, a disabled spouse, or any other dependents who are mentally or physically unable to care for themselves this year? Were you also employed during the year? Then you’re probably eligible for credits with this form.
Think you might need more forms? Check out this comprehensive list of topics and FAQs from the IRS.
Records
Ah, the numbers game. Be sure to have your Social Security number and birthday memorized, as well as the Social Security numbers the birthdays of your spouse and your dependents. It’s also a good idea to have a copy of last year’s tax return- this helps with carrying over a lot of the same information from year-to-year.
Receipts
Chances are, you qualify for some deductions on your taxes this year. So, here’s a hot round of GO2Deductions. If you answer “Yes” to any of these, include these receipts with your tax return.
Did you move this year?
Buy a house?
Sell a house?
Make improvements to your home-office as a self-employed business owner?
Make a killing with gambling winnings?
Make a bunch of donations to your favorite charities?
Have unreimbursed employee expenses, like buying work supplies, uniforms, continued education, etc.?
Pay union dues?
Or maybe you hit the tax return jackpot and had a child? Well, congratulations, both on your bundle of joy, and the credit you’ll get for the year!
Bank Info
Here’s the fun part. If you’re expecting a tax return, including your bank account information when you file your tax return can mean having your return deposited directly to your account. And when you direct deposit your return to your GO2bank account, you get it up to 5 days early1! You’ll also be automatically entered for a chance to win $5002! Now that’s how you win tax season.
How to direct deposit your federal tax refund to your GO2bank account:
- Get your GO2bank routing and account numbers by logging into your account online or on the GO2bank app looking for your direct deposit info.
- Enter your GO2bank account number, and GO2bank’s routing number of 124303162 on your tax forms. Mark “Checking” on your tax form and be sure your name matches on your tax forms and GO2bank account.
- File your return. We’ll post your refund as soon as we receive instructions from the IRS, which can be up to 5 days early.
