Preparation resource. Editorial review: November 3, 2026. This guide helps organize records and questions; it does not determine your tax position. Use the agency instructions for the relevant year and obtain advice for your circumstances.
Records to organize
Prepare the records that relate to your situation and keep the original supporting statements. Use the same filing year or clearly labelled periods so the reviewer can follow the history.
- Every W-2, including employers you left
- Final pay statements and corrected wage statements
- Dates and states where each job was performed
How to use these records
Make one employer-by-employer list, including jobs held briefly. Compare federal wages and withholding separately from each state's figures. If a W-2 appears duplicated, ask which statement is final before entering both.
The question to resolve before filing
Do the statements cover all employers, and are any state wages reported in more than one place?
Start with the facts you can support. Identify missing statements, corrections and earlier filings instead of filling a gap with an estimate that has not been discussed. Tell the team which countries, tax years and agencies are involved so the engagement can cover the right work.
A mistake to avoid
Do not omit a short-term job because its income was small or its statement arrived late.
A clear handoff to your preparer
- Label the evidence. Keep each record with its relevant year, account or activity.
- List open questions. Share missing information and anything that differs from the prior return.
- Confirm the scope. Ask which returns, disclosures and follow-up work are included before preparation begins.
Do not enter identity numbers, account numbers, verification codes or tax-document copies in a public enquiry. Use your private client portal for requested records after onboarding.
Official starting points
Use the current agency guidance and the instructions for the applicable filing year. A source link is not confirmation that a particular rule, election or claim applies to your circumstances.