
Tax Preparation Checklist: What Documents Do You Need?
A clear list of what to bring so your appointment goes smoothly. Required documents vary by tax situation and filing year — use this as a starting point.
Identification & taxpayer information
Government-issued photo ID, Social Security card or ITIN for everyone on the return, and a prior-year tax return for reference.
W-2 income documents
All W-2s from every employer for the tax year, including any from jobs you left during the year.
1099 forms
1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, 1099-K, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-R, and any other 1099s received.
Self-employment income records
Income received without a 1099, mileage logs, expense receipts, and estimated tax payment records.
Dependent information
Social Security numbers/ITINs for dependents, daycare provider information, and custody documentation if applicable.
Education documents
Form 1098-T tuition statements, 1098-E student loan interest, and education expense receipts.
Mortgage & property documents
Form 1098 mortgage interest, property tax paid, and refinance or home purchase closing statements.
Other potentially relevant documents
HSA contributions, retirement contributions, charitable donation receipts, and medical expense records.
Bank info for direct deposit
Routing and account numbers for refund direct deposit — do not send by email; provide through secure intake.
Documents for business owners
Income & expense records
- Sales and revenue records
- 1099s received
- Expense receipts and statements
- Bank and credit card statements
Filing specifics
- Sole proprietor Schedule C records
- Estimated tax payment history
- Prior-year business return
- Asset and depreciation records
Don't send sensitive identification or financial records through public email. Use the secure document submission workflow after starting your intake.
Ready to bring it all together?
Not sure what applies to you?
Call our East Houston office and we'll help you figure out exactly what to bring.