Filing Season Checklist: How to Prepare for a Stress-Free Tax Appointment

Tax season is here, and the difference between a smooth filing experience and a stressful one often comes down to preparation. Walking into your tax appointment with organized documents saves time, reduces the chance of errors, and helps your preparer identify every deduction and credit you qualify for. Here is a comprehensive checklist to help you get ready.

Personal Information

Start with the basics. Even if you have filed before, confirm that your preparer has current information for everyone on the return.

• Social Security numbers: For yourself, your spouse, and all dependents. If you are claiming a new dependent this year, your preparer will need their SSN or ITIN
• Date of birth: For all individuals on the return, particularly important for age-based credits and deductions
• Bank account information: Routing and account numbers for direct deposit of your refund. Direct deposit is the fastest way to receive your refund and is more secure than a mailed check
• Prior year tax return: Bring a copy of last year's return. It serves as a reference point for your preparer and is needed for e-filing verification (your prior-year AGI is used as an electronic signature)

Income Documents

The IRS receives copies of all your income documents, so completeness here is critical. Missing a form can trigger IRS notices or delay your refund.

• W-2s: From every employer you worked for during the year. If you changed jobs, make sure you have a W-2 from each one
• 1099-NEC / 1099-MISC: For freelance, contract, or gig work. If you earned $600 or more from a client, they should issue one of these forms. Even if they do not, the income is still reportable
• 1099-INT / 1099-DIV: From banks and brokerage accounts for interest and dividend income. Check all accounts, including savings accounts that may earn minimal interest
• 1099-B: For stock sales, cryptocurrency transactions, or other investment sales. Your brokerage should provide this along with a consolidated tax statement
• 1099-G: For unemployment compensation or state tax refunds received during the year
• 1099-R: For distributions from retirement accounts, pensions, or annuities
• 1099-K: From payment platforms like PayPal, Venmo, or marketplace platforms if you exceeded the reporting threshold for goods or services. For tax year 2023, the threshold remains at $20,000 and 200+ transactions (the IRS has delayed the lower $600 threshold)
• K-1s: From partnerships, S-Corps, estates, or trusts you have an ownership interest in. These often arrive later than other forms, sometimes not until March
• Rental income records: If you own rental property, bring records of all rental income received and expenses paid during the year

Deduction and Credit Documentation

This is where preparation really pays off. The more organized your documentation, the more deductions your preparer can identify.

• Mortgage interest (Form 1098): From your lender showing the interest paid on your home mortgage. If you refinanced, you may have two of these
• Property taxes: Annual statements from your county or city showing property taxes paid. This is included in the SALT (State and Local Tax) deduction
• Charitable contributions: Receipts and acknowledgment letters for cash donations, plus documentation for non-cash donations. If you donated items worth more than $500, you will need Form 8283
• Medical expenses: If your total medical costs exceed 7.5% of your AGI, the excess is deductible when itemizing. Bring records of out-of-pocket costs including prescriptions, dental, vision, and health insurance premiums not paid through an employer plan
• Education expenses (Form 1098-T): Tuition statements from colleges or universities for claiming the American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning credits
• Student loan interest (Form 1098-E): Showing interest paid on qualifying student loans, deductible up to $2,500 above the line
• Childcare expenses: The name, address, and tax ID of your daycare provider, along with the total amount paid during the year for the Child and Dependent Care Credit
• Home improvement receipts: For energy-efficient upgrades like solar panels, heat pumps, insulation, or new windows and doors that qualify for residential energy credits under the Inflation Reduction Act

Self-Employment and Business Records

If you have any self-employment income, even from a small side project, bring organized records of both income and expenses.

• Revenue records: Total gross income from all self-employment activities
• Expense receipts: Categorized by type including supplies, software, advertising, professional services, insurance, and any other ordinary and necessary business expenses
• Mileage log: If you drove for business purposes, a detailed log of miles driven, dates, and business purpose. The 2023 standard mileage rate is 65.5 cents per mile
• Home office measurements: If you use a dedicated space in your home for business, bring the square footage of your office and the total square footage of your home
• Estimated tax payments: Records of any quarterly estimated payments you made during the year (dates and amounts)

Retirement and Investment Records

• IRA contributions: Records of contributions to traditional or Roth IRAs made during the year or before the filing deadline
• 401(k) / 403(b) contributions: These should appear on your W-2, but keep your year-end statements as backup
• HSA contributions and distributions (Forms 1099-SA and 5498-SA): If you have a Health Savings Account, bring records of contributions made and distributions taken
• Cryptocurrency records: Detailed records of purchases, sales, exchanges, and any crypto received as income. The IRS requires reporting of all digital asset transactions

Do Not Forget These

• Identity Protection PIN: If the IRS has issued you an IP PIN, you must include it on your return. Without it, your e-filed return will be rejected
• Health insurance documentation (Form 1095-A): If you purchased insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, this form is required to reconcile any premium tax credits received
• Alimony records: For divorce agreements executed before 2019, alimony paid is deductible and alimony received is taxable income
• Foreign income or accounts: If you have foreign bank accounts with a combined value exceeding $10,000 at any point during the year, you are required to file an FBAR. Bring all foreign income and account statements