VITA 2026 – What to Bring for Tax Return Preparation

Documents Needed for VITA Tax Preparation:

• Photo ID for taxpayer & spouse (if married). For joint returns, both spouses must be present
• Social security cards and birth dates, or ITIN Letter for everyone named on the return
• Bank information for refunds: Proof of bank account and routing number for checking or savings accounts (Federal government has stopped issuing paper checks.)
• Federal Retirees, please review these instructions for how to get a copy of your 2025 1099-R. Office of Personnel Management stopped mailing these out recently.
• IRS Identity PIN (IP PIN) if you have one; any other documents marked as a Tax Document; anything received from the IRS or NC Dept of Revenue
• A paper copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns
• All documents regarding income received in 2025: W-2s from employers, social security income (1099-SSA), pension/retirement income (1099-R), unemployment (1099-G), interest (1099-INT), dividends (1099-DIV), other 1099 forms showing earnings with tips (MISC, NEC or K)
• Overtime: Check with your employer for information on your overtime premium. Bring your final paystub of the year. Only FSLA required overtime premiums qualify (time and a half).
• Tipped income: Must be reported on a tax form (W-2 or 1099) to claim this deduction.
• Self-employed: Summary of expenses with receipts and statements of income (1099-MISC, NEC or K) with tips included on tax forms
• Car loan interest: VIN number and interest paid in 2025 for a qualified NEW passenger vehicle purchased after Dec. 31, 2024 with final assembly in the U.S. Check car sticker for assembly info.
• Child day care or after-school care: Amount paid, provider’s name, address, phone and tax ID number
• College student or parent of a college student: 
  • 1098-T statement – required
  • Receipts for books and fees, if an undergraduate
  • Bring statement from your college listing other expenses, if an undergraduate
• Home sold in 2025: All records of home sale, including closing statements for original purchase and sale of your home
• Stock sales in 2025: All records of stock sales, including source (purchase vs inheritance), purchase/sale dates & amounts (usually reported on a 1099-B form)
• Alimony paid or received: Amount and Social Security # of ex-spouse, if divorced after 2018
• Form 1095-A from the Marketplace if you had ACA/Obamacare health insurance during 2025
• Health Savings Account: Record of expenses (Form 1099-SA) and contributions during 2025
• Student Loan Interest: Amount paid in 2025 (Form 1098-E)
• Estimated Tax Payments: Amounts & dates of tax payments made in advance for 2025 taxes
• Records: If items below total more than $15,750 if Single or $31,500 if Married,you may want to itemize deductions on state and/or federal return and will need to bring these additional records:
  • Medical expenses: Total amount by type (doctors, prescriptions, parking, miles driven)
  • Charitable donations: Total amount donated, value of items donated, & mileage driven for volunteer work. We cannot prepare your taxes if >$500 in donated items.
  • Mortgage & Real Estate: Your annual mortgage interest statement and property tax statement.
  • Personal Property Tax: Vehicle Registration receipt with property tax paid