free checklist: documents for your 2027 tax appointment.
Everything to gather before you file your 2026 return. Save this page or ask us to send it to your phone.
The fastest tax appointments are the ones where the client brings everything the first time. Use this list to gather your documents before you come in.
Personal information
- Photo ID for you and your spouse
- Social Security cards or ITIN letters for everyone on the return, including children
- Dates of birth for all dependents
- Last year's tax return
- Bank routing and account number for direct deposit
- Your IRS Identity Protection PIN, if you have one
Income
- W-2 forms from every job
- 1099-NEC and 1099-K forms for self-employment, gig and app work
- 1099-INT and 1099-DIV for interest and dividends
- 1099-G for unemployment benefits
- SSA-1099 for Social Security benefits
- 1099-R for retirement distributions
- Records of cash income and tips
- Rental income and expenses
Deductions and credits
- Form 1098 for mortgage interest and property taxes
- Form 1098-T for college tuition and 1098-E for student loan interest
- Child care costs with the provider's name, address and tax ID
- Form 1095-A if you had Marketplace health insurance
- Charitable donation receipts
- Retirement contributions (IRA, HSA)
If you are self-employed or own a business
- Total income for the year, including payments not reported on a 1099
- Expense records: supplies, phone, software, advertising, insurance
- Mileage log for business use of your vehicle
- Home office square footage
- Estimated tax payments you made during the year
- Profit and loss statement, if you have bookkeeping
Tip: take a photo of each document as it arrives in January and February and keep them in one folder. Most W-2s and 1099s must be sent by the end of January.