1) Personal Basics
 

☐ Government-issued photo ID (you + spouse, if filing jointly)

☐ Social Security cards/ITIN letters for everyone on the return (you, spouse, dependents)

☐ Date of birth for all dependents

☐ Current address + phone number + email

☐ Bank account + routing number for direct deposit (or info for debit card deposit, if applicable)
 

2) Prior Year Info

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☐ Last year’s tax return (Federal + State) if you have it

☐ Any IRS/state letters you received this year (CP/Letter notices)

☐ If new client: prior-year preparer name (optional)
 

3) Income Documents

W-2 / Job Income

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☐ W-2s from all employers
 

Self-Employed / Side Hustle / Gig Work (1099)

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☐ 1099-NEC, 1099-K, 1099-MISC

☐ Payment processor summaries (Square, Stripe, PayPal, Cash App, Venmo, Zelle)

☐ Invoices/sales reports or monthly totals (if no formal statements)

Other Income (if applicable)

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☐ 1099-G (unemployment, state refund)

☐ SSA-1099 (Social Security)

☐ 1099-R (retirement/pensions)

☐ 1099-INT / 1099-DIV / 1099-B (interest, dividends, investments)

☐ Rental income records (rent received + expenses)

☐ Prize/award income, gambling winnings (W-2G)

☐ Alimony received (for older agreements), other miscellaneous income

4) Deductions & Credits
 

Family / Household

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☐ Childcare provider statement (name, address, EIN/SSN, amount paid)

☐ School/education forms: 1098-T + receipts for supplies (if eligible)

☐ Student loan interest: 1098-E

☐ Health insurance forms: 1095-A (Marketplace), 1095-B/C (if provided)
 

Home / Property

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☐ Mortgage interest: 1098

☐ Property tax statements

☐ Charitable donation receipts (cash + non-cash)

5) Self-Employed Expense Checklist (Schedule C)

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Business Basics

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☐ Business name + EIN (if you have one)

☐ Business address + start date (if new)

☐ Type of work/services you provide

☐ Business bank statements (recommended)

☐ Credit card statements used for business (if applicable)
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Common Expenses

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☐ Supplies/materials

☐ Equipment purchases (laptop, tools, machines)

☐ Software/apps (QuickBooks, Canva, Adobe, etc.)

☐ Advertising/marketing (ads, flyers, promos)

☐ Website/domain/email hosting

☐ Professional services (bookkeeper, attorney, coach)

☐ Office expenses (paper, ink, postage)

☐ Phone/internet (business portion)

☐ Travel (airfare, hotel) + business purpose notes

☐ Meals (business meals) + who/why

☐ Vehicle expenses: mileage log or gas/repairs/insurance (choose one method)

☐ Home office info (square footage + total home size + utilities, rent/mortgage)

☐ Contract labor (people you paid) + amounts paid

☐ Business insurance

☐ Licenses/permits/fees

☐ Interest paid on business loans/credit

6) Important “Life Changes” to Tell Us

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☐ Moved to a new address or state

☐ New baby/dependent, custody changes

☐ Marriage/divorce

☐ Started a new job or business

☐ Bought/sold a home

☐ Major medical expenses or insurance changes

☐ Withdrawals from retirement accounts

☐ Identity theft concerns or IRS PIN (IP PIN)

7) Before Your Appointment (Fast Prep)

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☐ Gather all documents in one folder (paper or digital)

☐ Write down any questions you want answered

☐ If self-employed: list your top 3 expenses + estimated monthly income

☐ Confirm how you want your refund (direct deposit/check)

8) Optional But Helpful

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☐ Estimated tax payments made (quarterly) + dates/amounts

☐ Proof of health coverage (if applicable)

☐ A simple Profit & Loss summary (even if rough)

Quick Note for Self-Employed Clients

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If you don’t have your expenses organized don’t stress. Bring statements/receipts, and we’ll help you sort it out and build a simple system for next year.