What to bring to your tax appointment:
the complete list.
By Karina · Universal Taxes & More · Last reviewed August 2026
A complete folder is the difference between a one-hour appointment and a three-week back-and-forth. This is the list we text our own clients before they come in — bring what applies, skip what doesn't, and photos on your phone count.
The folder
Identity & household
- Photo ID for you (and your spouse, if filing together)
- Social Security cards or ITINs for everyone on the return — including kids
- Dependents' birthdates
- Last year's return, if you're new to us
- Bank account & routing number for direct deposit
Income
- W-2s from every job — even the one you left in February
- 1099s of every flavor — NEC, K, INT, DIV, R
- Unemployment (1099-G) or Social Security (SSA-1099) statements
- Cash or side income — your own records are enough
Deductions & life events
- Childcare costs + the provider's name, address & tax ID
- Mortgage interest (1098) — or closing papers if you bought this year
- Tuition statements (1098-T) & student loan interest (1098-E)
- Marketplace health insurance form (1095-A) — returns bounce without it
- IRA or HSA contributions
Self-employed extras
- Income records — 1099s, app payouts, invoices, or bank deposits
- Expense totals by category — supplies, tools, phone, insurance
- Business miles driven — even a reasonable estimate helps
- Home office square footage, if you work from home
Missing something? Come anyway. Half our appointments start with an incomplete folder — we'll tell you exactly what's left and finish by secure upload. That's how our personal tax preparation works year-round, in English or Spanish.
Quick answers
What if I'm missing a W-2 or 1099?
Come anyway. Employers must send W-2s by January 31 — if one never arrived, we'll help you request it or pull the amounts from an IRS wage transcript. A missing form delays a return; it doesn't stop it.
Can I bring photos of my documents instead of paper?
Yes — clear phone photos or PDFs through our secure upload work just as well as paper. Many clients send everything digitally and only come in for the final review, or skip the visit entirely.
How long does a tax appointment take?
With a complete folder, most personal returns take under an hour of your time — often less. Self-employed returns with unsorted records take longer, which is exactly what this checklist prevents.
General information — your situation may call for documents not listed here. Call us and we'll text you a list tailored to you.