What You Need to Bring

At your appointment, you must bring

1. Government-issued photo ID for you (and your spouse, if Married Filing Jointly)

2. Social security card for you (and your spouse, if Married Filing Jointly)

   • Note: If you have a social security card that says "Valid for Work Only with DHS Authorization," please bring in your current Employment Authorization (work permit) as well.

3. Social security cards or ITIN numbers for each of the dependents named on your return. (For ITIN numbers, please bring the issuing letter.)

4. Your completed Info Packet for the site you are going to. This info packet will contain, at a minimum:

• The AARP Foundation TaxAide Intake/Interview & Quality Review Sheet 

  • Follow the instructions on the page of the site where you are going to obtain the complete packet that you will need for that site.

You will also want to bring:

5. Proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit or debit.  (Bring a voided check, not a deposit ticket.) Using your bank account is the fastest way to get your refund.

   • NOTE: The IRS has indicated that they do not want to issue paper refund checks this year. If you do not bring your banking information, your refund will be delayed by many weeks while the IRS contacts you to get your bank information.

6. Your tax return from last year, or from a previous year if you don't have one from last year.  If you did your return at one of our sites, please bring in the whole envelope that you were given.

7. Any correspondence you received from the IRS -- especially any letters concerning an Identity Protection PIN.

8. All your other normal tax documents.  Check your last tax return and make certain that you either have a tax form from every organization from which you received one in the prior year, or know why you do not have that form this year.

If the situations below apply to you, please also bring the indicated worksheets and supporting documents

• If you are an employee who received tips, complete the  Qualified Tip Deduction Worksheet for use by employees with a W-2

• If you received overtime pay, complete the  Qualified Overtime Deduction Worksheet

• If you are self-employed, bring:

1. Completed Self-Employment Schedule C worksheet

2. Supporting documentation for your expenses and income

3. and if you received tips, the completed Qualified Tip Deduction Worksheet for independent workers 

• If you or members of your household had education expenses this year, bring:

1. Completed Education Credits Worksheet

2. Any documentation for tuition paid, such as Form 1098-T from the educational institution as well as a copy of the student's financial account statement. 

• If you purchased a new car in 2025, your loan interest may be deductible -- Complete the Qualified Passenger Vehicle Loan Interest Deduction Worksheet

• If you purchased health insurance from the Affordable Care Act (aka The Marketplace, Obamacare, the health insurance exchange), bring Form 1095-A.

• If you purchased items that may qualify for the Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Credit, bring information concerning the Energy Star qualification of the doors, windows, heat pump, hot water heater or other energy-efficient equipment, including the "qualified manufacturer ID code."

• If you think you may be able to itemize your deductions, complete the  Itemized Deduction worksheet

Note: In order to itemize your deductions, they should total more than the standard deduction. 

In 2025, the standard deduction is:

• Single or Married Filing Separately $15,750 (or $17,750 if over age 65)

• Married $31,500 (or $33,100 if one spouse is over 65; $34,700 if both spouses are over 65)

• Head of Household $23,625  (or $25,625 if over 65)