Document Checklist
Pick the situation that matches yours. Bringing these the first time saves a second trip.
For a standard personal return. If any of these don't apply to you, just skip them.
Photo ID, and Social Security cards or ITIN letters for you, your spouse, and any dependents
W-2s from every employer you worked for this year
1099s — for contract work, interest, dividends, retirement distributions, unemployment, or Social SecurityForms 1099-NEC, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-R, 1099-G, SSA-1099
Last year's tax return
Form 1098 if you paid mortgage interest, plus your property tax records
Form 1098-T and a record of expenses, if you or a dependent paid college tuition
Childcare provider's name, address, and Tax ID, if you're claiming the childcare credit
Form 1095-A, B, or C for health insurance, if you had marketplace coverage
Receipts for charitable donations
Records of any major life events — buying or selling a home, marriage, divorce, a new dependent
Bank routing and account number, for direct deposit of your refund
For corporate, small professional practice, association, or trust returns.
Last year's business tax return
Profit and loss statement, or your raw income and expense records if you don't have one prepared
Business bank and credit card statements for the year
Payroll records, if you have employees
Records of equipment or major purchases, for depreciation
Copies of 1099s you issued to contractors
Home office square footage, if you're claiming that deduction
Vehicle mileage log, if you're claiming vehicle expenses
Entity formation documents, if this is our first year working together
Received something from the IRS? Don't wait to bring it in — some notices have short response windows.
The actual notice or letter — every page, including envelopes with a postmark if you have them
Any earlier letters on the same issue, if this isn't the first one
A copy of the tax return the notice is about
Proof of income for the year(s) in question — W-2s, 1099s, bank statements
Anything that supports your side, if you disagree with what the notice says
For an IRS, insurance, or state audit.
The audit notice, including the specific line items or years being examined
A complete copy of the return(s) under audit
Receipts, bank statements, and any other records backing up what's being questioned
Prior audit history, if you've been audited before on a related issue
To get payroll set up or switched over to us.
Your Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Completed W-4 and I-9 forms for each employee
Your state employer registration and withholding account number
Recent payroll records, if you're switching from another provider
Bank account information for direct deposit and tax payments
For starting a new business or restructuring an existing one.
A general description of what you're starting — even a rough idea is fine
Names and contact info for all owners or partners
A rough estimate of startup costs and how you're funding them
Existing business licenses or formation paperwork, if you're restructuring rather than starting fresh