Use this tax preparation checklist to get your tax documents together before you visit our Greenville, SC, office. The more organized your documents and forms are, the faster we file your taxes — and the sooner you get your refund.
Personal Documents
Gather personal documents for yourself, your spouse, and any dependents — the list below shows who needs what:
- Government-issued photo ID — a valid driver’s license, state ID, or passport for you and your spouse
- Social Security cards — Social Security numbers for you, your spouse, and all dependents. Names must match Social Security Administration records.
- ITIN letter — if anyone on your return has a taxpayer identification number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number, bring the ITIN letter
- IP PIN — if the IRS gave you an Identity Protection PIN, bring it. We cannot file your taxes without it.
- Last year’s tax return — your prior year’s federal income tax return helps us check records and carry over key information
- Bank account and routing numbers — needed for direct deposit of your refund or direct debit of tax payments
Income Documents and Tax Forms
You need to report all types of income to file your taxes. Bring every tax form that shows money you earned — these tax documents usually arrive from your employer by early February:
- W-2 forms — from every employer, showing your wages, tips, and income tax withheld
- 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC — for freelance work, contract income, or miscellaneous income from side jobs
- 1099-INT and 1099-DIV — interest from a savings account and dividends from stocks or investments. Bring all dividend statements you received.
- 1099-G — for unemployment benefits, unemployment compensation, or state and local taxes refunded
- 1099-R and 1099-SSA — for retirement income from pensions, IRAs, or 401(k) plans, and Social Security benefits
- 1099-S, 1099-B, and 1099-K — for income from selling property, stocks, or investments, and for payments from apps like Venmo or PayPal
- Cash income records — if you were paid cash, bring a written record. All income must be reported, even without a form.
- Rental property income — records of rent collected and expenses paid for repairs, insurance, and property taxes
Deduction and Expense Records
Tax deductions lower the amount of income you owe taxes on. Bring receipts and records for every expense you plan to claim on your taxes. Even common tax deductions add up and save you money:
- Mortgage interest — Form 1098 shows how much mortgage interest you paid
- Property taxes — receipts for property taxes paid on your home or land
- State and local taxes — records of state and local income taxes or sales taxes paid, including state tax withheld from wages
- Charitable donations — receipts for cash donations and property given to charities count as deductions
- Medical and dental expenses — records for out-of-pocket medical bills and prescriptions. Only costs over 7.5% of your income count.
- Childcare expenses — if you paid for care of dependents, bring the provider’s name, address, and taxpayer identification number, plus total paid
- Health insurance forms — Form 1095-A from the Health Insurance Marketplace, records of premiums paid, health savings account contributions, and long-term care reimbursements
- Retirement contributions — records of payments into an IRA, 401(k), or similar plan
- Estimated tax payments — records of quarterly estimated tax payments made to the IRS or your state, with dates and amounts
- Other income — records for gambling winnings, jury duty pay, or money from other sources you must report on your taxes
Small Business and Self-Employed Documents
If you run a small business, do contract work, or are self-employed, bring these extra records. Small business owners have more forms to file, and the IRS expects all business income to be reported:
- Profit and loss records — a summary of all small business income and expenses for the year
- Small business expenses — receipts for supplies, tools, equipment, advertising, rent, and other costs your small business paid
- Mileage log — miles driven, dates, and trip purposes for business use of your car
- Home office expenses — records of rent, utilities, and insurance for your office space
- 1099 forms received — any 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC from clients who paid you $600 or more
- Sales and payroll records — sales records and sales tax payments, plus payroll records including wages paid and employer tax payments filed
ITIN Filers — What You Need
If you file taxes with an ITIN — or need to apply for one — bring these extra documents. Our ITIN and W-7 application services are available right here at our Greenville location:
- Original passport — the IRS requires your original, unexpired passport (we return it)
- Previous ITIN letter — if you have an ITIN, bring the letter showing your taxpayer identification number
- ITIN renewal notice — if the IRS sent a renewal notice, bring it. ITINs expire if not used on a federal tax return in three years.
- All income forms — W-2s, 1099s, and cash records. ITIN filers claim the same deductions and file their taxes like any other filer.
Don’t have all your documents yet? Contact us, and we’ll tell you what you need for your taxes.
Tips to Get Ready for Tax Season
- Gather tax documents early. Start collecting your forms and receipts in January. Organized tax documents help you avoid errors and file your taxes faster.
- File your taxes early. The sooner you file, the faster you get your refund. Filing early also helps protect you from identity fraud.
We Answer Your Questions
What if I don’t have all my documents?
Come in anyway. We can start your taxes with what you have and finish once the rest arrives. We tell you exactly what’s still needed so there’s no delay.
Can I file taxes without a W-2?
Yes. Bring your last pay stub — it shows wages and income tax withheld. We use it to file your federal tax return and fix any differences later.
What if I lost my ITIN letter?
Bring your passport and any IRS records you have. We look up your identification number and file your taxes. If your ITIN has expired, we can help you renew it at the same time.
Do I need to bring receipts for deductions?
Yes — bring receipts for every expense you want to claim on your taxes. Deductions for medical costs, childcare, and donations can save you real money. If you got coverage from the Health Insurance Marketplace, bring Form 1095-A too. Good records protect your refund if the IRS asks questions.
How early should I start getting my tax documents together?
Start when your first W-2 or 1099 arrives — usually late January. The sooner you gather your income tax forms, the faster we file your taxes. Many Greenville clients file early and get their refund within weeks.
What Our Clients Say
“First class service and thorough tax preparation. Allen and his team have been doing my taxes for years and I have been more than satisfied.” — Erick Barbare | Satisfied Client, Greenville, SC
Ready to File Your Taxes?
Bring your documents to Quetzal Taxes at 6300 White Horse Rd #122, Greenville, SC. We file taxes year-round in English and Spanish. Call +1 (864) 246-1117 or contact us to set up your visit.