Key Takeaways
- Bring a form of identification and your Social Security card to prove the Social Security information is yours.
- Bring W-2s from each employer and any corrected W-2cs. Provide 1099s and other forms for other types of income.
- Bring 1098s, 1098-Cs, 1098-Es, 1098-Ts, 1040ES copies, and other forms for tax deductions.
- Have receipts for personal and business expenses.
What documents do I need to file my taxes?
In addition to proof of your identity, and the identities of your family members, documents you should bring to a tax preparer include:
- Social Security cards
- income statements such as W-2s and 1099s
- tax forms that report other types of income, such as Schedule K-1 for trusts, partnership and S corporations
- tax deduction records
- expense receipts
1. Social Security details
Among the most important things a CPA, tax preparer, or online tax preparation service will need in order to file your tax return are the full names and Social Security numbers, or tax identification numbers, of you, your spouse, and/or your dependents. The IRS compares the identifying information on your tax return to the information that the Social Security Administration has on file, such as the spelling of names and Social Security numbers, to validate your return.
The easiest way to ensure all spellings and numbers will be correct on your tax return is to provide:
- The Social Security cards for all people included on your tax return.
- Another form of identification to prove that the Social Security information is yours. Any government-issued ID that includes a photograph will work, such as a driver's license, passport, or state identification card.
2. Income statements
Even though your employer should report your income directly to the IRS, your tax preparer will also need the information on your W-2 form(s) to complete your tax forms.
- If you hold more than one job, you'll need to provide W-2s from each job.
- If your employer makes a mistake on your W-2 and issues you a form W-2c, bring the original one and the corrected W-2c, as well.
Other income statements your tax preparer will need to file your return include your:
- W-2G, if you had certain types of gambling winnings
- 1099-R, if you received distributions from a pension, annuity, IRA, insurance contract and other retirement accounts.
3. Other types of income
If you're self-employed or you receive income from other sources, you'll need to report information from Forms 1099-NEC, 1099-K, and 1099-MISC on your tax return. Whether you’re self-employed or not, if you've received any of the following IRS forms, share them with your tax preparer:
- Form 1099 and Form1099-MISC for self-employment income
- Form 1099-A for foreclosure of a home
- Form 1099-B for proceeds from broker transactions
- Form 1099-C for cancellation of debt
- Form 1099-DIV for dividends and distributions
- Form 1099-G for unemployment income or a state tax refund
- Form 1099-INT or Form 1099-OID for interest income
- Form 1099-K for payments processed by third-party networks
- Form 1099-LTC for Long Term Care reimbursements
- Form 1099-PATR for patronage dividends
- Form 1099-Q for payments from qualified education programs
- Form 1099-QA for distributions from an ABLE account
- Form 1099-S proceeds from the sales of property
- Form 1099-SA for Health Savings Account and Medical Savings Account distributions
- Form SSA-1099 for Social Security benefits
- Form RRB-1099 for railroad retirement benefits
4. Tax deduction documents
Tax deductions can reduce your taxable income and, ultimately, your tax bill. Here are some forms you'll need to document your major deductions:
- Form 1098, your Mortgage Interest Statement, which comes from the company that services your mortgage loan
- Form 1098-C for the donation of an automobile, boat or aircraft worth more than $500 to a tax-exempt organization
- Form 1098-E for interest you paid on a student loan during the preceding year
- Form 1098-T, the Tuition Statement, documenting how much you paid in tuition for post-secondary education
- Form 1040ES copies, for a record of estimated tax payments made
TurboTax Tip:
It helps to have a copy of your latest tax return on hand when you visit your tax preparer.
5. Receipts for expenses
If you'd like to deduct expenses from your personal or business income taxes, share your receipts for those expenses with your tax preparer. Tax-deductible personal expenses include:
If you're self-employed, many business expenses are also tax deductible. To document both personal and business expenses, make sure you have all your receipts, invoices, medical bills, and mileage logs.
It's also a good idea to have a copy of your latest tax return on hand. Your tax return will serve not only as a roadmap to your typical income and deductions, but also point out any major changes that may have occurred in the last year and any possible discrepancies between your returns. It also will provide any information that you have regarding tax items that are carried over from a prior year.
How can I find help with my taxes near me?
If you’re looking for a tax preparer near you, you can consult the IRS’s Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications. You can search by type of tax preparer you’re looking for (CPA, enrolled agent, tax attorney) and by country, zip code, and distance from your home or place of business. Once you find a good prospect, you may want to interview them ahead of time. Here are 10 things you can ask to make sure your local tax preparer is a good fit for you:
- Ask if they specialize. Some tax preparers can specialize in individual or business tax preparation. Make sure that their specialty matches your needs.
- Weigh their experience. A tax preparer with several years of experience will be more likely to have a strong grasp of the tax code than one with few or no years of experience.
- Verify that your tax preparer will sign your tax return. Your tax preparer should be willing to sign your return and represent you before the IRS for any tax matter related to your return. Tax preparers who sign returns are required to have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). To verify a preparer’s PTIN, simply search the IRS Return Preparer Office Directory.
- Ask about tax planning. A good tax preparer should offer year-round tax planning advice to help you maximize your tax savings.
- Find out about fees. Ask tax preparers in your area if they charge by the hour, a flat fee, or some other way. Verity that their fees cover federal and state taxes.
- Ask if they e-file. E-filing your federal tax return ensures better accuracy and completeness for your return and often results in a faster refund, if you’re due one. Verify that your local tax preparer e-files.
- Make sure they provide audit defense. In the event of an audit, you’ll want a qualified tax professional to represent you before the IRS or Tax Court. They can deal with the IRS directly if you authorize them to do so on your behalf.
- Ask for referrals. A good tax preparer will be happy to offer referrals from satisfied clients.
Once you’ve gathered all your necessary documents, you might find it easier to trust a local TurboTax Live Full Service expert to handle your return. This will ensure that your taxes are filed accurately and efficiently.
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