List accounts while tax papers are out
Use your tax papers as a prompt to update your account list. Record institutions, account types and the people to contact. Leave out passwords and account numbers. This is family preparation, not tax filing advice.
- Official sources
Steps
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Start a separate family account list
Open the account list beside your tax papers. This list points your family toward the right institutions and paperwork. Keep the detailed tax documents in their usual secure place.
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Name the institutions you recognize
Write each institution and the type of account you have there. Look at the papers you are already reviewing. Leave a question for anything you cannot identify, then ask the institution or your tax professional directly.
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List the people who know the work
Add the contact route for your tax professional and the institutions on your list. Use a current statement or official website to check the details. Tell your family which person handles which question.
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Point to the paperwork locations
Write where you keep current statements, tax papers and related authorizations. Separate the location of an original from a copy. Avoid putting the documents themselves, passwords or account numbers into a general checklist.
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Show the list to someone you choose
Ask them to find the tax professional's contact details and the location of the papers. You do not need to hand over your accounts to make this check useful. Correct any instruction that made them guess.
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Set a time to look again
Keep the list with your family plan and note when you last reviewed it. Revisit it when an institution, contact or paper location changes. Your next tax-paper review can be another prompt to check it together.
Good to know
Do I put account numbers on the list?
No. Use institution names, account types, contact routes and paperwork locations. Keep detailed records in the secure places you already use. Show the person you choose how to find the right location without copying private credentials.
Does this tell me how to file taxes?
No. The task is making your accounts and papers easier for your family to find. Take questions about your return, deadlines or tax treatment to the IRS or your tax professional. This page does not calculate a filing date.
What if I cannot identify an account?
Leave it as a question in your private notes. Use the institution's official contact route or ask your tax professional about the paper. Avoid guessing an owner or closing anything just to make the list look complete.
Must I name a tax representative?
Not because you made this list. The IRS describes separate information and representation permissions. Read those descriptions and ask about the help you want. Preparation can start with finding your papers and naming the right contact.
Can my family help while I review papers?
Yes, if you want them beside you. You decide what to show and which details stay private. A useful first task is checking the contact list and finding the papers.
What we checked
| Fact | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Form 8821 lets a person or organization you name inspect or receive the tax information you specify. | Internal Revenue Service (Actual current official page or PDF retrieved October 22, 2026. Original response, headers and extraction retained.) | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Form 2848 authorizes an individual to represent you before the IRS. | Internal Revenue Service (Actual current official page or PDF retrieved October 22, 2026. Original response, headers and extraction retained.) | Oct 15, 2026 |
| Forms 2848 and 8821 can be uploaded, mailed or faxed to the IRS. | Internal Revenue Service | Oct 15, 2026 |
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Plan Before You Die is not connected with the IRS. Something wrong here? Tell us.
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