6 Things to Bring Your Tax Preparer (So You Don’t Leave Money on the Table)

Financial Horizons: Insights for Building Wealth and Securing Your Legacy

By Dr. Jose G. Cardenas, Chief Tax Strategist at The C & R Group, LLC

Real talk—most people show up to their tax appointment like they’re walking into the DMV: stressed, unprepared, and hoping it’s over fast.

But here’s the truth: what you bring to your tax preparer determines how much you keep and how smooth the whole process feels. If you show up disorganized, you’re almost guaranteed to:

• Miss deductions
• Delay your refund
• Create follow-up headaches for you and your preparer

In this edition of Financial Horizons, I’ll walk you through 6 essential things you should bring to your tax preparer so your appointment is fast, accurate, and actually works in your favor:

1. Identification information
2. Social Security cards (for you and your dependents)
3. Wage statements
4. Property tax statements
5. Additional income statements
6. Receipts for deductible expenses

Let’s turn your next tax appointment from chaos into a strategic checkup.

1. Identification Information

Step one: prove you are who you say you are.

Your tax professional will typically need:

• A valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport)
• Your current address and contact information
• Basic details like filing status and dependents

Why it matters:

• Helps confirm your identity and reduce the risk of fraud
• Ensures your return is correctly filed and processed
• Keeps your information consistent year to year

If it’s your first time working with a new preparer, coming in with these basics ready makes everything else move faster.

2. Social Security Cards for You and Your Dependents

The IRS cares a lot about names and numbers lining up.

You’ll want to bring Social Security cards (or official documentation with SSNs) for:

• Yourself
• Your spouse (if filing jointly)
• Any dependents you’re claiming

Why this is critical:

• Your tax pro needs accurate SSNs to claim credits and deductions tied to dependents (such as the Child Tax Credit and other family-related benefits, if you qualify).
• A typo in a Social Security number can delay your return or cause the IRS to reject e-filing.

Think of these as the “keys” that unlock the tax benefits your household is entitled to.

3. Wage Statements

Next up: proof of what you earned as an employee.

Most people will receive:

• W-2 forms from employers (showing wages and withholding)

If you changed jobs or worked multiple positions, make sure you’ve got every single W-2.

Why wage statements matter:

• They show how much tax was already withheld
• They help your preparer calculate whether you’ll owe more or get a refund
• Missing a W-2 can cause underreporting and trigger IRS notices later

Rule of thumb: if someone paid you as an employee, your preparer needs the official forms.

4. Property Tax Statements

If you’re a homeowner, your property tax bill isn’t just a payment—it may also be part of your tax picture.

Bring documentation for:

• Property taxes paid on your primary residence
• Property taxes on other real estate you own, if applicable

Depending on current tax law and whether you itemize deductions, your preparer can evaluate how property taxes fit into:

• Potential itemized deductions
• Overall tax planning beyond this year

Don’t just toss that property tax statement in a drawer. Hand it to your tax strategist and let them decide how valuable it is.

5. Additional Income Statements

This is where a lot of people get into trouble. The IRS wants all your income reported, not just your main job.

Bring forms and records for any additional income, such as:

• 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC for freelance or contractor work
• 1099-INT for interest income
• 1099-DIV for dividends
• 1099-B for brokerage and stock transactions
• 1099-R for retirement distributions
• Income from rental properties, side hustles, or online businesses

If you got paid and someone issued a tax form, your preparer needs to see it.

Trying to “forget” a 1099 is one of the fastest ways to trigger matching notices from the IRS. The 1% don’t hide income—they structure it and report it with a plan.

6. Receipts for Deductible Expenses

Here’s where the real tax savings often live: documented deductions.

Your tax preparer can’t claim what they can’t see. Bring receipts or organized summaries for things like:

• Medical expenses (if substantial and potentially deductible)
• Mortgage interest and property tax (if itemizing)
• Charitable donations (cash and non-cash)
• Business expenses if you’re self-employed or own a side hustle
• Education costs that may qualify for credits or deductions
• Childcare expenses if you may be eligible for credits

The stronger your documentation, the more confidently your preparer can:

• Claim deductions and credits you legally qualify for
• Defend your return if questions ever come up

Think of receipts as proof that turns your spending into tax savings.

Bonus: Organization Is a Tax Strategy

Showing up with a plastic bag full of random papers might be funny in memes—but in real life, it costs you money.

When you come prepared with:

• IDs and Social Security cards
• All wage and income forms
• Property tax documents
• Organized receipts and expense summaries

…you give your tax professional the tools to:

• File accurate, timely returns
• Minimize your legal tax bill
• Help you plan ahead for next year instead of just cleaning up last year

Preparation isn’t just polite. It’s profitable.

🔗 Read more at: https://thecrgroupllc.com/financial-horizons

📅 Want to walk into your next tax appointment with confidence—and walk out with a strategy, not just a filed return?
Book a consultation with Dr. Cardenas

About the Author

Dr. Jose G. Cardenas is a retired U.S. Army Finance Officer and the Chief Tax Strategist at The C & R Group, LLC. With a Doctorate in Business Administration and over 20 years of experience in tax planning and financial strategy, Dr. Cardenas helps individuals, families, and business owners organize their finances, reduce taxes legally, and build lasting wealth. Learn more at thecrgroupllc.com

📌 Disclosure

This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as personalized legal, tax, or investment advice. Required documentation can vary depending on your income sources, filing status, and current tax law. You should consult with a qualified tax professional regarding which forms and records apply to your specific situation. Dr. Jose G. Cardenas, DBA, provides tax advisory services through The C & R Group, LLC. Insurance and investment strategies may be offered through his role as a licensed financial professional affiliated with Experior Financial Group.

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