Bank, Notary & Tax Prep Appointments
Tax Preparation Appointments: What to Bring (Free IRS Programs and Paid Preparers)
The documents to gather before a tax preparation appointment, based on the IRS checklist for its free volunteer programs, plus questions to ask a paid preparer.
Independent guide — not a government website. Book My Service can’t book or change appointments, and we aren’t affiliated with organizations named here. General information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change — confirm with the official source before you go.
Key points
- The IRS publishes a checklist for free tax return preparation that works well for any tax appointment.
- Bring photo ID, Social Security cards or ITIN documents for everyone on the return, all income forms and last year’s return.
- For a joint e-filed return at a volunteer site, the IRS says both spouses must be present to sign.
Free help from IRS volunteer programs
The IRS runs free tax return preparation programs for qualifying taxpayers, staffed by IRS-certified volunteers. Eligibility rules and site locations are on the IRS free tax preparation page (external site), which includes a site locator. Sites set their own hours and appointment rules — some take appointments, others are walk-in.
Book My Service isn’t affiliated with the IRS or any tax preparer. Nothing here is tax advice.
What to bring
The IRS’s checklist for free tax return preparation (external site) is a useful list for any tax appointment. It includes:
Identity
- Original photo identification for you and your spouse if filing jointly.
- Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents — or ITIN assignment letters if you don’t have Social Security numbers.
- Your Identity Protection PIN letter if the IRS issued one.
- Birth dates for everyone on the return.
Income
- Forms W-2 (and W-2G, 1099-R, 1099-MISC) from all employers and payers.
- SSA-1099 Social Security benefit statements, if applicable.
- Interest and dividend statements (Forms 1099) from banks.
Other
- A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available.
- Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit, such as a blank check.
- The total paid for child care and the provider’s tax ID number.
- Form 1095-A if you had Health Insurance Marketplace coverage.
The IRS also notes that to e-file a married-filing-jointly return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms at a volunteer site.
If you use a paid preparer
Bring the same documents, and ask before you begin:
- What is the fee, and how is it calculated?
- Do you have a PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number)? The IRS requires paid preparers to have one.
- Will you sign the return as the preparer and give me a copy?
- How will my refund be paid — directly to my bank account?
The IRS advises never signing a blank or incomplete return, reviewing the return before you sign, and having any refund go to your own account. It also warns against preparers who base their fee on a percentage of your refund.
Questions about your IRS account
For problems with an IRS account or notice that need in-person help, see IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center appointments.
Sources and official links
We checked these sources on . Official pages change, so the live page always wins over this guide.