What to Bring to Your Tax Appointment (and Why Each Item Matters)

Many amended returns start the same way: something was missing at the first appointment. Here's a checklist that gets it right the first time.

Identification: A photo ID for you (and your spouse if filing jointly), plus Social Security cards or ITIN letters for everyone on the return. Names and numbers must match Social Security records exactly, or the return can be rejected.

Last year's return: It shows carryovers (capital losses, depreciation, credits), your prior-year AGI for e-file verification, and anything that should repeat this year.

Income forms: Every W-2, every 1099 (NEC, MISC, INT, DIV, B, R, G, K, SSA-1099), and any K-1s from partnerships, S-corps or trusts. If you had gig, rideshare or freelance income, bring your own totals too - not every payer sends a form.

Dependents: Birth dates and SSNs for each dependent, plus childcare provider names, addresses, tax ID numbers and amounts paid.

Education: Form 1098-T for tuition and 1098-E for student loan interest.

Health coverage: Form 1095-A if you bought insurance through the Marketplace. Without it, the return can't be finished.

Home and deductions: Form 1098 for mortgage interest, property tax bills, and receipts for charitable gifts if you plan to itemize.

Business or rental activity: Income and expense totals, mileage logs, and records for any equipment you bought.

Anything from the IRS or the state: Letters, notices and estimated-payment records. These often explain a balance or a refund difference.

Bank details: A voided check or routing and account numbers for direct deposit.

Bring everything, even if you're not sure it matters. It's faster for your preparer to set something aside than to amend a return later.

- Robert Allen Bautista, independent tax preparer, Kansas City

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