Page 27: Required Forms & Submission Instructions

Why This Page Matters

Congratulations! You’ve reached the final page of the organizer.

Nobody skips this page. It is the checklist everyone works through last, and it tells you how to send everything back to us.

What this page does. It is the checklist you work through last. The left column lists the documents we need, the right column lists the tax forms to send, and the items in red are required for every client. It also tells you how to get the file back to us.

Page 27 serves as your final checklist to help ensure that everything needed to prepare your tax return has been included. Taking a few moments to review this page can help prevent delays, reduce follow-up questions, and allow us to begin preparing your return as quickly as possible.

This page also outlines the preferred methods for securely submitting your completed organizer and supporting documents.

Before You Begin

Before completing this page, please make sure you have:

  • Saved your completed organizer
  • Gathered all tax documents in one place
  • Reviewed your entries for completeness
  • Collected any additional forms or supporting documentation

Whether your records are paper documents or electronic files, having everything organized before submitting your package can save time and help ensure nothing is overlooked.

Completing the Checklist

Check Off Each Item as You Attach It

The checklist is designed to help you verify that all necessary documents have been included.

As you attach or upload each document, check the corresponding box.

This checklist is primarily for your benefit and serves as a final review before submission.

Required Documents for All Clients

Some items are required for every return or nearly every return. These items are highlighted because they are often needed before we can begin preparing your return.

Depending on your situation, required documents may include:

New Clients

  • Prior-year federal tax return
  • Prior-year state tax return

Compensation Information

  • Documentation showing how your compensation package is structured
  • Current pay information for each employer
  • Final pay stub of the year from each employer

Identity Verification

  • Current driver’s license or other acceptable identification

Clergy-Specific Documentation

  • Housing allowance designation approved by the church board, council, or governing body
  • Any state worksheets included with your organizer package

Providing these items upfront helps us prepare your return efficiently and accurately.

Additional Tax Documents

Many of the remaining documents only apply if they relate to your tax situation during the year.

Examples may include:

Wage and Income Documents

  • Forms W-2
  • Forms 1099
  • Social Security statements
  • Pension and retirement forms

Healthcare Forms

  • Form 1095-A
  • Other health coverage statements

Housing and Education Documents

  • Form 1098 Mortgage Interest Statement
  • Form 1098-E Student Loan Interest Statement
  • Form 1098-T Tuition Statement

Investment Documents

  • Form 1099-B
  • Brokerage statements
  • Dividend statements
  • Interest income statements

Education Savings Accounts

  • Form 1099-Q

Retirement and HSA Documents

  • Form 1099-R
  • Form 1099-SA
  • Form 5498-SA

Partnership and Trust Documents

  • Schedule K-1

Additional Supporting Records

  • Dependent care receipts
  • Adoption-related documentation
  • Property tax statements
  • Vehicle registration statements
  • Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) notices
  • Real estate closing statements
  • Refinance documents

Only include forms that apply to your situation.

Submitting Your Organizer

Preferred Method: Secure Upload

The fastest and most secure way to submit your tax organizer is through our secure document upload portal.

Uploading your documents electronically helps protect your information and typically results in quicker processing.

Additional Submission Options

If needed, documents may also be submitted through other approved methods, such as fax or mail.

However, secure upload is strongly recommended whenever possible.

Comments Section

If there is anything about your tax information that we should know, please include a note in the comments section.

Examples may include:

  • A document has not arrived yet
  • A corrected tax form is expected
  • You cannot locate a particular document
  • You are uncertain about an amount entered
  • Additional information will be submitted later

A brief explanation can greatly reduce delays and unnecessary follow-up emails or phone calls.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Save Your Organizer Before Uploading

One of the most common submission issues occurs when a fillable PDF is completed but not saved before being uploaded.

Before submitting:

✅ Save the file

✅ Reopen the saved copy

✅ Confirm your information is still visible

This simple step can prevent the need to complete the organizer again.

Include Complete Brokerage Statements

If you are submitting investment statements, please provide the entire statement package, not just the summary pages.

This includes:

  • Cost basis information
  • Gain and loss reports
  • Supplemental tax schedules
  • Transaction detail pages

Missing pages are one of the most common reasons additional information must be requested later.

Dependent Care Documentation Must Be Complete

If you are claiming dependent care expenses, your documentation should include:

  • Provider name
  • Provider tax identification number
  • Provider contact information
  • Amount paid

Complete information helps ensure any available credits can be properly claimed.

Housing Allowance Documentation Is Essential

For clergy, the housing allowance designation approved by the church is required.

A pay stub showing a housing allowance amount is generally not sufficient by itself.

Please include the official board, council, or governing-body action that designated the housing allowance.

Use Secure Upload Rather Than Email

Your organizer contains confidential information that may include:

  • Social Security Numbers
  • Banking information
  • Tax records
  • Payment information

For your protection, please use the secure upload portal whenever possible instead of standard email.

Submit Everything Together When Possible

A complete submission allows us to begin processing your return immediately.

When documents arrive separately over several weeks, preparation may take longer because we must wait for all required information to be received.

Whenever possible, gather everything first and submit one complete package.

Tell Us About Missing or Pending Documents

It’s completely normal for some documents to arrive later than others.

Examples may include:

  • Schedule K-1s
  • Corrected Forms 1099
  • Late tax statements

If you’re still waiting for something, simply let us know in the comments section. We can often plan accordingly and avoid unnecessary delays.

Before You Submit

Take a final moment to confirm that you have:

✓ Completed all organizer pages

✓ Signed Page 25

✓ Included required supporting documents

✓ Attached all applicable tax forms

✓ Included your housing allowance designation

✓ Added comments for any missing or pending documents

✓ Saved the organizer before uploading

✓ Gathered everything into one complete submission

You’re Ready to Submit

Thank you for taking the time to complete your Clergy Tax Organizer. A complete and organized submission allows our team to prepare your return more efficiently and helps ensure every available deduction, credit, and clergy-specific tax benefit is properly considered.

If you are unsure about a document, missing information, or a particular tax situation, don’t worry. Simply include a note, and we’ll be happy to help guide you through the process. We look forward to serving you!