Documents You Should Already Have

Below is a list of documents you should already have, such as IDs, mail marked "Important Tax Document," and tax returns from prior years.  

We Need You to Bring All of Your Documents!

Note: If married filing jointly (MFJ), both spouses should show up, but it is not necessary for dependents to show up. Homebound spouses may stay home as long as all documentation is provided:

• Please bring IRS form CP01A if you are required to enter an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN).   If you used an IP PIN last year, you will need a new IP PIN this year.  Please watch your mail in December and January for form CP01A.  Or you can sign into your account at IRS.gov and get this year's IP PIN.

• Please bring a photo ID* and a photo copy of the social security card and for the taxpayer

• If MFJ, please bring a photo ID* and a photo copy of the social security card for the spouse

• If there are dependents, please bring photo copies of their social security cards (no photo IDs are needed)

• If you would like direct deposit, please bring a check or checkbook (we simply need the routing and account numbers shown on the check, we do not need to keep the check and there's no need to void it)

• If you need prior year tax returns prepared, then all your tax returns will be prepared in individual appointments beginning with the oldest tax year first.

  • For the preparation of any prior tax year, please bring a copy of your tax return (federal and state) from the year before, i.e.

    • for preparing TY2023, please bring a copy of your TY2022 tax return

    • for preparing TY2024, please bring a copy of your TY2023 tax return

    • for preparing TY2025, please bring a copy of your TY2024 tax return

• Please bring a printed copy of all the documents you have for the tax year being prepared at that appointment (for all situations that apply to you): 

  • Forms W-2 for wages

  • Forms 1099, such as for interest, dividends, investments, retirement income, self-employment, unemployment, state tax refund 

  • SSA-1099 for social security income

    • this will show your Medicare premium and serve as proof of insurance

  • Any letters from the IRS, including:

    • your current tax year's IP PIN, if you require one - it should be mailed to you in December or January prior to the tax season

  • Anything that seems like an "important tax document".

  • If you have Covered California and received premium tax credits:

    • IRS form 1095-A

    • California (FTB) form 3895

  • If you or a dependent attended college :

    • any Forms 1098-T (for scholarships and grants)

    • any statements showing expenses from the college

      • it may be possible to sign into your college account to obtain and print this information prior to your appointment

    • any Forms 1098-E (for student loan interest)

    • an accounting of any other expenses for college that were required for a particular course, such as books, supplies, and equipment

    • it is helpful to fill out an Education Credits worksheet (see Downloads section)

  • If your paid for dependent care

    • please be prepared to provide the care provider's name, address, identifying number (SSN or EIN), and amount paid

  * a photo ID may be a valid driver's license (U.S.),  state ID (U.S.), passport, military ID, national ID

     For an absent spouse, it is helpful to take a photo of the spouse holding their photo ID in a manner where we can verify both.  We need a form signed by both taxpayer and spouse and returned to us before we can file your tax return.