Tax Preparation

How much does Tax Preparation at CheckSmart cost?

Pricing starts at $139*. Additional fees may apply depending on the complexity of your tax return. Speak with an associate about the cost of preparation for more details.

What should I bring with me?

You'll need all of your relevant tax information, documents, and identification in order to prepare your taxes at CheckSmart. The lists below are not comprehensive. Additional documentation may be required due to your unique tax situation.

WHICH IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS WILL I NEED?

• Government issued ID cards or passports for adults on the return
• Social Security Card (SSN) or taxpayer identification number (ITIN) letter issued by IRS, for everyone who is expected to be on the return (i.e., taxpayer/spouse and all dependents listed).
• Birth certificate verifying relationship for any dependent (i.e., child) that you intend to claim. [Note: For dependents that are not your son or daughter (brother, sister, grandchild, niece, nephew, etc., please bring one of the following: (1) marriage certificates that verify your relationship to the child; (2) letter from an authorized adoption agency; (3) letter from the authorized placement agency; or (4) an applicable court document showing dependency.]
• Proof of address if driver’s license address isn’t current, such as a lease or mortgage statement.

WHICH IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS WILL I NEED?

Income documents such as your W-2s or 1099s should be mailed to you no later than January 31st. Don’t forget any document that was sent to you from the IRS, an employer, former employer, or government agency. Documents you may need include but are not limited to:

Income Documents: 

• Form W-2 - Wages and salary 
• Form W-2G Gambling winnings 
• Form 1099G – Unemployment 

Retirement Documents: 

• Form 1099-R - Retirement income 
• Form SSA-1099 - Social Security benefits 

Business/Contractor Documents: 

• Form 1099-NEC - Self-employment income 
• Form 1099-K - Reportable card payment transactions 

Other Possible Income Documents: 

• Form 1099-MISC - Rents/Royalties/Other Income 
• Form 1099-SA - MSA or HSA distributions

ARE THERE ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT I MIGHT NEED?

Reminder that any document you receive that says it is a tax document should be presented during your tax preparation appointment. For example, you might receive one of the following:

Healthcare Documents: 

• Form 1095-A from Healthcare.gov/Marketplace 

IRS Identity PIN: 

•  Document from IRS establishing your ID Pin for this tax year 

Housing Documents: 

• Form 1098 – Mortgage Interest Property tax bills If claiming EIC 
• Housing Assistance Letter(s) received 
• Lease (if under $15,000 income)

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED WHEN CLAIMING DEPENDENTS?

In addition to a birth certificate, you will also need at least one document to establish residency requirements for the dependent (i.e., evidence of where he/she lives for the majority of the time). Acceptable documents include:

• A document(s) that shows residency in your home. Documents must show the dependent’s name, your address (address on tax return), and a reference to the date(s) they lived there. Items such as photocopies of school records (no report cards), medical records / invoices (no immunization cards), childcare provider statements (provider can't be a relative) or social service/court records.
• Letter on official letterhead from a school, a health care provider, a social service agency, placement agency official, employer, Indian tribal official, landlord or property manager, or a place of worship that shows the name of your child's parent or guardian, your child's address and the dates that they lived with you.

*$139.00 pricing applies only to a federal tax return filed using IRS Form 1040 only, without having to attach any forms or schedules. Tax scenarios covered: W-2 income and IRS Standard Deduction. State filing is not included and is an additional fee. All tax situations are unique. Additional fees may apply. Valid only at participating locations. Offer is good for the federal filing of one (1) W-2 tax return per customer. Cannot be combined with any other third party offers or toward past services. Not all customers will qualify for this pricing. Business returns are excluded. Subject to terms, conditions and limitations. Valid through April 15, 2026. Offer may be modified or discontinued at any time without notice.