What to bring to your tax appointment.

The appointments that go fastest are the ones where the papers are already in one folder. Here is what I ask every client to bring.

The basics, for everyone

• Photo ID for you, and for your spouse if you file together.
• Social Security cards or ITIN letters for everyone on the return.
• Last year's tax return, if I did not prepare it.
• Your bank routing and account number, so your refund can go straight to your account.

Your income

Bring every form that reports money you received: a W-2 from each job, and any 1099 forms for contract work, unemployment, Social Security, retirement income or interest. If you were paid in cash, bring your own record of it.

The things that lower your tax

• Childcare costs, with the provider's name, address and tax ID.
• Form 1095-A if you had Marketplace health insurance.
• Mortgage interest and property tax statements.
• Tuition statements and student loan interest.

The full list is on our what to bring checklist, which you can tick off and print.