Documents You Should Have for Tax Year 2025

Below is a list of documents you should already have, such as IDs, tax forms, 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.  For an absent spouse, it is helpful to take a closeup photo of the spouse holding their photo ID in a manner where we can verify them.  We need a form signed by both taxpayer and spouse and returned to us before we can electronically file your tax return.

• 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 for the taxpayer and spouse (if married)

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

• For 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)

• Please bring your copy of your tax return (federal and state) for last year (TY2024).

• 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 from the year before, i.e.

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

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

    • for preparing TY2022, please bring a copy of your TY2021 tax return

• Please bring all the tax 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 for income such as interest, dividends, investments, retirement, self-employment, unemployment, state tax refund 

  • Form SSA-1099 for social security income

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

  • Forms 1095 showing health insurance coverage (and premium tax credits if ACA)

    • Covered California (ACA): IRS form 1095-A and California (FTB) form 3895

    • Health Insurance Coverage: IRS form 1095-B

    • Health Insurance Offer and Coverage: IRS form 1095-C

  • If you or a dependent attended college :

    • Form 1098-T (for scholarships and grants)

    • Form 1098-E (for student loan interest)

    • college statement listing expenses

      • sign into your college account to obtain and print this information prior to your appointment

    • 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

  • 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

  • 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".

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