What Do I Need to Get My Taxes Prepared?
By organizing your information early and having the right documents ready, you can save time, avoid mistakes, and even maximize your refund.
1. Start With Your Personal Information
Before diving into the numbers, make sure you have your personal details ready. These are essential for identifying you, filing correctly, and claiming dependents or tax credits.
You’ll need:
- Your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
- Your spouse’s SSN or ITIN (if filing jointly)
- SSNs or ITINs for all dependents (children or relatives you claim on your return)
- Your previous year’s tax return (optional, but helpful for reference)
Having this information at hand ensures that your tax preparer can file accurately and that the IRS matches your return without issues.
2. Proof of Income
Next, gather all documents that show how much money you earned during the year. Your income can come from many sources — not just a regular paycheck.
Common income forms include:
- W-2 forms: If you’re an employee, your employer must send this by January 31. It shows your total wages, tips, and taxes withheld.
- 1099 forms: These report various types of income, such as:
- 1099-NEC: For independent contractors or self-employed workers.
- 1099-MISC: For miscellaneous income, such as rent or prizes.
- 1099-INT: Interest income from banks.
- 1099-DIV: Dividend income from investments.
- 1099-B: Profits or losses from stock sales.
- 1099-G: Unemployment benefits or state tax refunds.
- 1099-R: Distributions from retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, pensions).
- Business income: If you own a small business or freelance, bring records of your sales, invoices, and receipts.
- Rental income: Include details about any rental properties, income received, and related expenses.
- Social Security benefits (SSA-1099) if applicable.
- Alimony or child support (depending on tax law changes and agreements).
Tip: Make a checklist of all income sources you had during the year so nothing gets left out.
3. Proof of Expenses and Deductions
Deductions help lower your taxable income, which means you pay less in taxes or get a larger refund. To claim them, you’ll need proper documentation.
Here are common deductible expenses and the documents you should bring:
For Homeowners:
- Mortgage interest statement (Form 1098)
- Property tax bills
- Home improvement receipts (for energy credits or home office deductions)
For Renters:
- Rent payment receipts (in some states, renters may get tax credits)
For Education:
- Form 1098-T: Tuition and educational expenses
- Student loan interest statement (Form 1098-E)
- Receipts for textbooks or school supplies if deductible
For Medical Expenses:
- Bills or receipts for medical and dental expenses not covered by insurance
- Proof of health insurance premiums, if paid out of pocket
For Work-Related Deductions (if self-employed):
- Receipts for business expenses (tools, supplies, software, etc.)
- Home office expenses (utility bills, rent portion, internet costs)
- Vehicle mileage log or receipts (for business use of a car)
- Phone bills related to work use
For Charitable Contributions:
- Receipts or bank statements showing donations to qualified charities
- Acknowledgment letters for donations over $250
For Childcare:
- Records of daycare payments
- Provider’s name, address, and Tax ID number
For Retirement:
- Contributions to IRA or 401(k) plans
- Records of any early withdrawals or rollovers
4. Health Insurance Information
Under current tax rules, you may need to provide documentation of your health coverage, especially if you received benefits through the Marketplace or Affordable Care Act (ACA).
You’ll need one of these:
- Form 1095-A: For Marketplace insurance (you’ll need this to reconcile premium tax credits).
- Form 1095-B or 1095-C: Provided by your employer or insurer to show coverage.
Even if you’re not required to attach these forms, it’s a good idea to have them on file for accuracy.
5. Bank Information for Refunds or Payments
If you expect a tax refund or plan to make a payment, you’ll need your bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit or withdrawal.
Direct deposit is the fastest and safest way to receive your refund — no paper checks to lose or delays to worry about.
6. Additional Documents Depending on Your Situation
Some taxpayers have unique situations that require extra paperwork. Be sure to bring:
- Divorce decrees or alimony documentation
- Adoption papers (for claiming adoption credits)
- Investment property documents
- Casualty or theft loss records
- Gambling winnings (Form W-2G)
- Foreign bank account information (FBAR)
- State or local tax refund from last year (Form 1099-G)
Your tax preparer can help identify what applies to your situation.
7. If You’re Self-Employed or Run a Small Business
Self-employed individuals and small business owners have more documentation to track.
You’ll need both income and expense records, including:
Income:
- Client invoices
- Bank statements
- 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC forms
Expenses:
- Receipts for supplies, advertising, software, rent, insurance, travel, and utilities
- Vehicle logs (if you use your car for business)
- Payroll records (if you have employees)
- Proof of estimated tax payments made during the year
Keeping detailed records not only helps during tax filing but also protects you in case of an IRS audit.
8. For Those with Investments or Retirement Plans
If you invest in stocks, bonds, or retirement accounts, you’ll need to report your earnings, losses, and contributions.
Bring:
- 1099-B (sales of stocks or mutual funds)
- 1099-DIV (dividends)
- 1099-INT (interest income)
- 1099-R (retirement distributions)
- Year-end statements from brokerage or retirement accounts
If you sold any investments, note the purchase and sale dates and cost basis (the amount you originally paid). This determines whether you have a gain or loss.
9. Organize Your Documents Beforehand
Once you’ve gathered all the required paperwork, organize everything neatly before meeting with your tax preparer.
Here are some organization tips:
- Use folders or envelopes to separate categories: income, deductions, credits, etc.
- Label everything clearly.
- Bring both paper copies and digital files, if possible.
- Review your documents to ensure you’re not missing forms (like W-2s or 1099s).
The more organized you are, the faster and smoother your tax appointment will be.
10. Benefits of Getting Professional Help
While you can file taxes on your own, hiring a professional tax preparer or visiting a tax preparation service can save you time and money.
A professional can:
- Identify deductions and credits you might overlook.
- Ensure your return complies with current tax laws.
- Help you plan for next year’s taxes.
- Reduce your stress and minimize errors that could trigger an audit.
Even if your return seems simple, expert guidance can often increase your refund and provide peace of mind.
11. Final Checklist Before You File
Here’s a quick recap of what you should bring to your tax appointment:
- Personal info (SSNs, prior return)
- All income forms (W-2, 1099, business records)
- Expense and deduction receipts
- Health insurance forms (1095-A/B/C)
- Bank info for direct deposit
- Investment, education, and retirement records
Make sure all your documents are accurate and up to date before filing.