One visit instead of three. This is what a family, an employee or a self-employed worker should have ready before we sit down, in English or Spanish.
Everyone
- A photo ID
- Social Security cards or ITIN letters, and dates of birth, for everyone on the return
- Last year’s return, if you are new to us
- A bank account and routing number for direct deposit
- Your IRS Identity Protection PIN, if you have one
Income
- W-2s from every employer
- 1099-NEC and 1099-K for contract or platform work
- 1099-INT and 1099-DIV from banks and investments
- 1099-R for retirement distributions, and SSA-1099 for Social Security
- 1099-G for unemployment benefits
- K-1s from partnerships or S corporations
- Tip and overtime amounts from your W-2, final pay stub or an employer statement, if they apply to you (new deductions on 2025 returns)
- Rental income and expense records
Deductions and credits
- Form 1098 for mortgage interest, and your property tax bill
- Form 1098-T and receipts for tuition and education expenses
- Your lender’s year-end interest statement (Form 1098, if issued) for a new U.S.-assembled vehicle loan, if it applies to you
- Birthdates for anyone on the return who is 65 or older (extra senior deduction for 2025 to 2028)
- Childcare provider’s name, address, tax ID and the amount you paid
- Form 1095-A if you bought health insurance through the Marketplace
- Charitable donation receipts
- Estimated tax payments you made during the year
If you are self-employed
- A summary of income, including cash
- Expense totals by category, with receipts available
- Your mileage log
- Home office square footage
- Equipment or vehicles bought during the year
- Copies of the 1099s you issued to others
Dates and records
If you are self-employed, estimated tax payments are due April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15. Keep your tax records for at least three years after filing, and longer for property records and for years with losses carried forward; seven years is a safe rule.
If you have an ITIN or need one
Bring your passport or the original documents required for the W-7 application. The return is filed together with the application.
If you arrived recently or own assets abroad
Bring your date of arrival and visa type, information about any foreign income, and details of foreign bank accounts. If the accounts together exceeded $10,000 at any point in the year, a separate report (the FBAR) is required.
Not sure whether something matters? Bring it anyway. It takes us a minute to check and a lot longer to amend a return.
General information, not advice for your situation. Rules change; talk to us before acting.
Book your appointment and we will confirm the list for your situation beforehand.
Related service: Tax Preparation
By Martha Otalora · Founder & CEO, MO Accounting Services. Last reviewed October 2026.
