Tax filing is easier when your records are complete before the season begins. Whether your 2026 income came from a W-2 job, investments, retirement, a side business or rental property, a little preparation can prevent delays and last-minute surprises.
Go Tax Dude provides individual and business tax preparation in Port Washington for clients throughout Nassau County. Our team can help you organize the right information, identify items that need a closer look and prepare the federal and state returns that apply to your situation.
Start with your basic tax documents
Gather the income forms and supporting records that apply to you. Common items include:
- Forms W-2 from each employer
- Forms 1099 for interest, dividends, retirement distributions, contract work and other income
- Forms 1099-K from payment apps or online marketplaces
- Brokerage statements, including cost-basis information
- Social Security and pension statements
- Health insurance forms when applicable
- Records of estimated federal and state tax payments
- A copy of your prior-year federal and state returns
Do not rely only on tax forms. Income may still need to be reported even when no W-2 or 1099 was issued.
Tell us what changed during 2026
Changes in your life can affect filing status, deductions, credits and the documents needed to prepare an accurate return. Let us know if you:
- Married, divorced or added a dependent
- Bought or sold a home
- Paid college tuition or student-loan interest
- Started receiving Social Security or retirement income
- Exercised stock options or sold investments
- Moved into or out of New York
- Received income from another state or country
If you own foreign financial accounts, receive foreign income or may need a nonresident return, mention that early. International and multistate filings often require additional records and should not be left until the last minute.
Organize side-business and self-employed records
Freelance work, consulting, online sales and other self-employed activity require more than a stack of 1099 forms. Your records should show all business income and the expenses connected with earning it.
Useful records may include bank and payment-platform statements, receipts, mileage logs, software and advertising costs, professional fees, equipment purchases and home-office information. Clean records make it easier to evaluate deductible expenses and determine whether estimated payments were sufficient.
If you own an S corporation or an interest in a partnership, you generally need the business’s Schedule K-1 to complete the related items on your individual return. A C corporation files a separate income tax return; its shareholders do not receive a pass-through Schedule K-1 merely because they own shares. See our business tax preparation service for entity-return help and the IRS overview of business income for the differences between entity types.
Prepare rental property information
Rental property owners should organize rent received, mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, repairs, management fees and other operating expenses. Keep separate records for improvements and major purchases because they may be depreciated rather than deducted at once.
Also tell us about property purchases, sales, refinancing, personal-use days and any prior-year suspended losses. These details can affect the way rental activity is reported.
Clean up bookkeeping before filing season
Business and rental records should agree with bank accounts and supporting documents. Waiting until filing season to reconcile an entire year can delay the return and increase cleanup work.
Our bookkeeping and small business accounting service can help organize tax-ready financial records. If income changed substantially during the year, existing Go Tax Dude clients can also ask about separately quoted tax planning before year-end.
Local tax preparation in Port Washington
Go Tax Dude serves Port Washington and nearby Nassau County communities. Appointments are available by phone or at our Port Washington office.
If you are preparing to file a 2026 individual return, a business return or both, schedule a consultation. We will review the scope and provide a quote before work begins.
Go Tax Dude, Inc.
8 Maple St #11, Port Washington, NY 11050
(516) 336-3316