A little preparation makes your appointment faster and your return more accurate. After you sign up, we'll let you know exactly what we need. In the meantime, this covers what most returns need.
The essentials
- Driver's license or photo ID for you and your spouse
- Social Security numbers and birth dates for any dependents
- Copies of your last two years of returns, if you're new to us
- Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit
Income documents
- W-2s from every employer
- 1099s for interest, dividends, brokerage sales, and retirement distributions
- Social Security benefit statements (SSA-1099)
- K-1s from partnerships, S corporations, trusts, or estates
- Income and expense records for any business or self-employment
- Rental income and expenses, along with depreciation schedules
Deductions and credits
- Mortgage interest statements (Form 1098)
- Real estate and personal property tax bills
- Records of charitable contributions
- Medical expenses
- Educator expenses
- Student loan interest and college tuition statements (Form 1098-T)
- Childcare costs and the provider's tax ID
Tell us what changed
A marriage or divorce, a new baby, a new business, a move to another state, or the loss of a spouse can change your return in big ways. Please let us know about any of these before we start, even if you're not sure they matter.
Have a question about your own situation?
General guides can only go so far. We're happy to look at the details and tell you what applies to you.