What Forms Do You Need to Attach to VA760 When Filing by Mail?

Filing your Virginia state tax return using Form VA760 requires more than just completing the main form. To ensure proper processing and avoid delays, you must attach supporting documents verifying your income, deductions, and other financial details. Missing or incorrect attachments can lead to errors in your tax assessment or even trigger an audit.

Required Income Statements

When submitting Form VA760, you need documentation to verify your earnings. These attachments allow the Virginia Department of Taxation to confirm reported income and ensure all taxable amounts are accounted for. The forms required depend on the type of income received.

W-2

If you earned wages or a salary, attach a copy of your W-2, which details total earnings, tax withholdings, and payroll deductions. If you had multiple employers, include a W-2 from each.

Failure to attach a W-2 can delay processing or cause discrepancies in your tax calculation. If you lost your form, request a duplicate from your employer or retrieve it through your payroll provider. If an employer failed to issue one, you may need to file Form 4852 as a substitute, along with supporting documents like pay stubs or a year-end earnings summary.

1099 Series

For non-wage income, you may receive one or more 1099 forms. The most common is Form 1099-NEC, which reports payments of $600 or more to independent contractors and freelancers.

Other forms include:

– 1099-MISC – Reports income from prizes, awards, or rent payments.
– 1099-INT – Reports interest earnings from bank accounts or investments.
– 1099-B – Reports capital gains and losses from the sale of stocks, bonds, or other securities.

Each of these forms must be attached to substantiate reported income. If you did not receive a required 1099, contact the issuer before filing. If the payer fails to provide it, estimate the income based on your records and include an explanation with your return.

Other Income Records

Some income sources are not captured on W-2 or 1099 forms but must still be reported. Examples include alimony received (for pre-2019 divorce agreements), jury duty pay, and gambling winnings. While large gambling payouts generate a W-2G, smaller winnings must still be reported.

If you received distributions from retirement accounts, pensions, or annuities, attach Form 1099-R. Taxable Social Security benefits require a copy of SSA-1099. If you received financial assistance from a state program or insurance settlement payments, review whether these amounts are taxable and keep supporting documentation.

For income without a prescribed form, maintain clear records such as bank statements, contracts, or payment receipts. Attaching a written summary explaining the income source can help prevent questions from tax authorities.

Mandatory Schedules

Certain taxpayers must include specific schedules with their VA760 filing to provide detailed breakdowns of business earnings, investments, and rental income.

Business Earnings

If you operated a sole proprietorship or earned self-employment income, include Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business) from your federal return, detailing revenue, expenses, and net profit or loss.

For business-related expenses such as office supplies, travel, or advertising, itemize them on Schedule C. If you claimed depreciation on business assets, attach Form 4562 (Depreciation and Amortization).

Self-employed individuals must also account for self-employment tax, which covers Social Security and Medicare contributions. If you made estimated tax payments, include proof to ensure proper credit is applied.

Investment Gains

If you sold stocks, bonds, or other securities, report capital gains or losses using Schedule D (Capital Gains and Losses) from your federal return. Virginia follows federal capital gains tax treatment, taxing short-term gains as ordinary income while long-term gains receive lower tax rates.

Attach Form 1099-B from your brokerage firm to substantiate reported gains or losses. If the cost basis is not reported on the form, provide brokerage statements or other records.

For dividends or interest income, Schedule B (Interest and Ordinary Dividends) may be required. If you earned more than $1,500 in interest or dividends, attaching Schedule B is mandatory. If you had foreign investments generating income, report them separately with supporting documentation.

Rental Profits

If you earned rental income, include Schedule E (Supplemental Income and Loss) from your federal return, detailing rental income, expenses, and depreciation deductions.

Deductible expenses include mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and property management fees. If you claimed depreciation, attach Form 4562. If you rented out part of your primary residence, allocate expenses accordingly and provide documentation.

For short-term rentals, such as Airbnb or Vrbo, Virginia requires hosts to collect and remit state and local transient occupancy taxes. Include records of tax payments and any applicable business licenses.

Proof of Deductions

To reduce taxable income, provide documentation for deductions claimed on Form VA760. Without proof, deductions could be denied, increasing your tax liability.

If you itemize deductions, provide supporting documents for:

– Mortgage interest – Attach Form 1098 from your lender.
– Real estate taxes – Include a copy of your tax bill and proof of payment.
– Medical expenses – Keep receipts, insurance statements, or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) documents.

For charitable contributions:

– Cash donations under $250 – A bank statement or receipt from the organization is sufficient.
– Donations over $250 – A written acknowledgment from the charity is required.
– Non-cash donations – Attach a receipt detailing the items and their fair market value. If a single non-cash donation exceeds $500, include Form 8283.

For education-related deductions:

– Tuition and student loan interest – Attach Form 1098-T (Tuition Statement) or Form 1098-E (Student Loan Interest Statement).
– Work-related education expenses – Include invoices and proof of payment.

Contributions to Virginia’s 529 college savings plan may be deductible, with a limit of $4,000 per account per year. A year-end statement from the plan administrator serves as proof. Similarly, Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions require Form 5498-SA.

Submission Instructions

Once all necessary forms and schedules are gathered, assemble your Virginia state tax return in a logical order:

1. Form VA760 on top.
2. Schedules and income statements next.
3. Deduction-related documentation at the end.

Before mailing, double-check that all required signatures and identifying details, such as your Social Security number, are correctly entered. If filing jointly, both spouses must sign. If a tax preparer assisted with the filing, they must include their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) if applicable.

Virginia has different mailing addresses depending on whether a payment is included. If you owe taxes, send your return and payment to the designated PO Box for payments. If expecting a refund or with no balance due, use the separate address provided by the Virginia Department of Taxation. Using certified mail or a trackable delivery service is recommended to confirm receipt.