What to bring to your tax appointment
- What to bring checklist (Word): the list below as tick boxes, one page.
For everyone
- Last year's tax return, if this is your first year with this accountant.
- Photo ID for you and your spouse; Social Security numbers and dates of birth for everyone on the return.
- Any letter from the IRS or your state, including a CP01A notice with an Identity Protection PIN.
- Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit.
Income
- Form W-2 from every employer.
- Form 1099-NEC or 1099-K for contract, freelance or gig work, and your own record of income no form covers.
- Form 1099-INT (interest), 1099-DIV (dividends), 1099-B or the consolidated brokerage statement (sales).
- Form 1099-R (pensions, IRAs, annuities) and SSA-1099 (Social Security).
- Form 1099-G (unemployment or a state refund).
- Schedule K-1 from any partnership, S corporation, trust or estate. These often arrive in March.
- Records of digital asset sales or exchanges.
- Rental income and expenses for each property.
Health coverage
- Form 1095-A if anyone on the return had Marketplace insurance. Without it the return cannot be e-filed.
Deductions and credits
- Form 1098 mortgage interest, and property tax bills.
- Charitable donation receipts; for noncash gifts over $500, a description and value.
- Medical expenses, if they were large this year.
- Child care provider name, address, tax ID and the amount paid.
- Form 1098-T tuition and Form 1098-E student loan interest.
- Year-end statements for IRA, HSA and 529 contributions.
- Estimated tax payments you made, with dates and amounts.
If you own a business
- Every bank and credit card statement for the year, or a link to your accounts in the portal.
- Income records, receipts for large purchases, and your mileage log.
- Payroll reports and the 1099s you issued.
- Home office square footage and the total square footage of the home.
Life changes this year
- Marriage, divorce, a birth or adoption, a move, a new job, buying or selling a home, retirement, starting a business.
Accountants: give this page to your clients
A firm owner told us the most frustrating call of the season is a client asking what to bring, and that the list "grows and grows" into the last week. Link this page in your engagement letter and in the first reminder, or send the checklist from the download. In LucaLedger the organizer is built from last year's return, with an upload next to each document it asks for, and each upload closes its own request, so both of you can see what is still missing without a call.
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need for my tax appointment?
Your ID and everyone's Social Security numbers, every W-2 and 1099 you received, Form 1095-A if you had Marketplace insurance, Form 1098 for a mortgage, K-1s from any partnership or S corporation, receipts for deductions, records of estimated payments, and last year's return if you are new. The full list is above and in the download.
What if I have not received a form yet?
W-2s and most 1099s must be sent by February 1, 2027. K-1s often arrive in March. Send what you have; tell your accountant what is still coming so the return is not started with something missing.
Can I just email my documents?
Please do not. Email is not secure for documents with your Social Security number on them. Use your accountant's portal, or bring paper to the appointment.
Do I need receipts for everything?
Keep every receipt, but bring the totals. Your accountant needs the amount of charitable gifts, medical costs and business expenses by category. The IRS can ask for the receipts later, so keep them for at least three years after filing.
What if I had Marketplace health insurance for only part of the year?
You still need Form 1095-A and your return still has to reconcile the premium credit on Form 8962, even for one month of coverage. The Marketplace mails the form by January 31 and it is also in your HealthCare.gov or state Marketplace account.
Sources
- IRS, Get ready to file your taxes (page last reviewed July 30, 2026): the records the IRS says to gather.
- IRS, Reconciling your advance payments of the Premium Tax Credit: why Form 1095-A is required.
- IRS Publication 1099 (2026): when payers must send W-2s and 1099s.
This is general information, not tax advice. Your accountant's list is the one that counts.