We know the feeling. It is tax time, and you are staring at a pile of mail, wondering what matters and what is just clutter.
Arriving at your tax appointment with missing documents doesn’t just delay your refund it increases the chance of errors and requires follow-up emails that slow down the entire process.
At JM Elitebooks, we want your tax filing to be smooth, accurate, and fast. To help us help you, please use this simple checklist to gather your documents before your appointment.
Personal Information (The Basics)
Even if you are a returning client, we need to verify current details to prevent IRS rejections.
- Identification: Driver’s License or State ID for you (and your spouse, if filing jointly). Expiration dates matter!
- Social Security Cards: Essential only if you have a new dependent (e.g., a baby born in 2025).
- Bank Details: A voided check or your routing/account number for direct deposit refunds.
Income Documents (Watch Your Mailbox)
Wait until you have all of these before scheduling. Amending a return later because a form arrived late is expensive and time-consuming.
- W-2s: From all employers you worked for in 2025.
- 1099-NEC: If you did any freelance, consulting, or gig work.
- 1099-K: Reports from Venmo, PayPal, CashApp, or credit card processors.
- 1099-INT / 1099-DIV: Interest and dividend statements from banks and brokerages.
- 1099-R: Distributions from pensions, 401(k)s, or IRAs.
- SSA-1099: Social Security benefits statement.
For Business Owners & LLCs (Critical Section)
If you run a business, please organize your records before you arrive. Bringing a shoebox of loose receipts will delay your filing significantly.
What We Need:
- Profit & Loss Summary: A total of your Sales vs. Expenses for the year.
- Expense Categories: Group your costs (e.g., Advertising: $500, Supplies: $1,200, Insurance: $800). Do not bring individual receipts unless the item was a major asset purchase.
- Asset Invoices: Did you buy a computer, vehicle, or machinery over $2,500? Bring the purchase invoice (Date & Cost).
- Mileage Log: The total number of business miles driven in 2025 vs. commuting/personal miles.
- Home Office: If you work from home, bring the square footage of your office and the total square footage of your home.
Deductions & Credits (Don’t Miss Out)
To maximize your refund, we need proof of your eligible expenses.
- Form 1098: Mortgage interest statement.
- Property Tax Bills: For your home or other real estate.
- Medical Expenses: Summary of out-of-pocket costs (only needed if they are significant generally over 7.5% of your income).
- Charitable Donations: A list of cash donations. For amounts over $250, bring the acknowledgement letter.
- Childcare Records: Total paid, plus the Provider’s Name, Address, and Tax ID (EIN).
- Energy Credits: Did you install solar panels or buy an EV in 2025? Bring the purchase contract.
What to LEAVE at Home (Save Yourself the Trouble)
To keep your appointment efficient, you generally do not need to bring:
- ❌ Grocery Receipts: Unless they are specifically for business meals.
- ❌ General Household Bills: We don’t need your monthly cable or phone bills unless they are partly claimed for business.
❌ Raw Credit Card Statements: We need the categorized summary of expenses, not 12 months of individual bank statements (unless we are also doing your bookkeeping).
Ready to File?
If you have checked the boxes above, you are ready for a stress-free tax season. Being organized allows us to focus on what matters most: finding every deduction you are entitled to.
[Schedule Your 2026 Tax Appointment] Call JM Elitebooks: (864) 844-7720