Tax Prep Checklist: What You Need to Know

If you’re part of the roughly 60% of Americans who pay someone else to prepare their tax return, then there’s a good chance you’ve had to make more than one visit to the preparer’s office because you forgot something. And understandably, given how many different documents are necessary come tax time. To save you a trip next year, we’ve put together a tax prep checklist to help ensure you gather all of the documents you need beforehand.

For more tax-related assistance, a financial advisor can help you optimize your tax strategy to reach investing and retirement goals.

5 Things Your Accountant Needs to Prepare Taxes

Exactly what information your accountant needs to prepare your tax return will depend in part on your filing status. In addition, if you are self-employed or a full-time college student, this will also influence the types of forms that you will need to use.

With that in mind, here’s a breakdown of five types of documents you’ll generally need when filing your taxes.

1. Identification Documents

Even if you’ll be returning to the same tax preparer you’ve used for years, it’s always wise to bring along some form of identification, such as a driver’s license. This is especially important if you plan on requesting a refund anticipation loan (rapid refund), since preparers are required to keep a copy of your current ID on file.

Also plan to bring Social Security cards for yourself, your spouse and any dependents rather than trying to recite them from memory. A mistake of even a single digit will result in your return being rejected, and that can mean a delay in getting any refund you are entitled to.

2. Proof of Income

Your income tax return must reflect all of your income, not just most of it or what you remember. Any income that doesn’t make it onto your return can result in penalties and interest for under-reported and underpaid taxes.

For tax purposes, income is defined as any money you receive from any source that is not a gift. This includes Social Security, retirement benefits, proceeds from real estate sales, investments (including dividends), bank account interest, alimony, gambling winnings and, of course, wages. Income from your job, or jobs, will be reflected on W-2s. All other sources of income, such as money earned as an independent contractor, will be reported on a 1099.

Some often overlooked sources of income that you will need to have documentation for are:

Foreign earned income
Rental income
Income from hobbies
Savings and investments of dividends
Unemployment
Trusts
Prizes
Debt that has been forgiven

3. Proof of Expenses

Because many people don’t itemize their returns, they fail to bring proof of expenses with them to the tax preparer. This is a bad practice, as any deductible expenses you have that are greater than the standard deduction will reduce the amount of taxes you owe or increase the size of your refund. For tax year 2025 (which you will file in early 2026), the standard deduction is $15,750 for individuals, $31,500 for married couples filing jointly and $23,625 for those filing as head of household.

Tax-deductible expenses that can lower your tax burden include:

Self-employment expenses, such as mileage and equipment
Unreimbursed employee business expenses, such as travel and client meals
Certain education expenses related to your job
Medical expenses (over 10% of your adjusted gross income)
Charitable contributions, including non-cash donations, such as clothes or food
Mortgage interest
IRA contributions
Union dues
The cost of last year’s tax preparation

4. Proof of Losses

Losses occur as a result of things like natural disasters, fire, theft and other unexpected catastrophes. Bring along proof of the event in the form of police or fire reports, insurance claims and other official documentation that spells out what occurred and when. If you’ve received partial payment in the form of insurance or federal or state disaster relief, bring that along as well.

5. Blank Checks

There are two reasons you should bring blank checks along to your tax preparation appointment. The first is If you end up owing money, in which case it’s a good idea to write the check right there and mail your payment in when you leave the office. And on the other hand, if you’ll be receiving a tax refund and would like it directly deposited into your bank account, the accountant will already have the necessary information on hand.

Additional Items to Review Before Your Tax Appointment

Life changes during the year can affect how a return is prepared, even when no single tax form captures them. Marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child or the death of a dependent can change filing status, dependency claims and credit eligibility. Moves across state lines or changes in residency can also alter state and local tax obligations and should be flagged early.

Carryovers from prior tax years often shape the current return and are easy to miss if you focus only on new documents. Capital loss carryforwards, unused charitable deductions and education credit carryovers rely on information from earlier filings rather than current-year forms. Bringing a copy of last year’s return helps connect those figures to the correct schedules and limits.

Health insurance coverage details can also affect tax reporting. Marketplace plans, premium tax credits and midyear coverage changes may require reconciliation. Forms related to health exchanges, along with prior-year credit calculations, help account for advance credits received versus amounts allowed based on annual income.

Banking and payment records can influence how taxes are settled as well. Changes to accounts can affect the direct deposit of refunds or the application of payments owed. Records of quarterly estimated payments, prior-year payment vouchers and confirmation notices help match amounts already paid with what appears on the return.

Bottom Line

It pays to be prepared, even when you’re having someone else prepare your taxes for you. Make sure you provide your accountant with all of the necessary information. Be proactive about gathering your finances into one place, so that you won’t need to worry before the filing deadline. If you provide your accountant with everything they need, you should have a hassle-free tax season ahead of you.

Tips for Filing Your Taxes

A financial advisor can help you during tax season. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
If you don’t know whether you’re better off with the standard deduction versus itemized, you might want to read up on it and do some math. Educating yourself before the tax return deadline can help you save a significant amount of money.