Records you’ll need to keep at hand

A checklist of the most common records you’ll need to prepare 2007 taxes, whether you use home-computer tax software, a professional tax preparer or an old-fashioned paper tax return:

• Copy of 2006 tax return.

• W-2s from all employers.

• Forms 1099, 1099-DIV, 1099-R and 1099-G showing nonwage income, dividend or interest paid to you in 2007 as well as any refund, credit or offset of state and local taxes.

• Receipts for state and local taxes, real-estate taxes and personal-property taxes you paid in 2007.

• Form 1098 showing 2007 home-mortgage interest and points, as well as mortgage-insurance premiums on home-acquisition debt that was new or refinanced in 2007.

• Receipts and documentation for all charitable contributions and gifts.

• Income receipts from rental real estate, royalties, partnerships, S corporation and trusts.

• Records of unemployment compensation, Social Security benefits or other income.

• Records of medical and dental expenses if you think you can meet the 7.5 percent adjusted gross income threshold required for this deduction.

• Documentation of casualty and theft losses.

• Total paid for day care, and tax-identification number for day-care provider.

• Identifying documents — such as a Social Security card or driver’s license — for you and your spouse in certain tax situations, such as when claiming the earned income-tax credit.

• A bank-routing number and an account number for direct deposit of refund.

Remember to keep a copy of your tax return and supporting documents for at least three years from the date you file the return.