What to redact for filing your taxes
Filing your taxes usually means sending a tax preparer or accountant a copy of your ID or documents. Here's what to redact for each one — and what to keep so it's still accepted.
For filing your taxes, a tax preparer or accountant needs only the figures and IDs required to file — shared through a secure channel, not plain email. On every copy, black out the unique numbers and any field they don't strictly need, then stamp "For tax preparation only". Pick your document below for the exact fields.
Why a tax preparer or accountant asks for a copy
Your preparer needs your income and identity details to file accurately. What they actually need: only the figures and IDs required to file — shared through a secure channel, not plain email.
The risk — and how to handle it
The safe approach is the same for any document: redact the fields a tax preparer or accountant doesn't need, keep the ones they do, and add a purpose watermark so the copy can't travel further than filing your taxes.
The watermark to add
Which document are you sending?
Pick the document a tax preparer or accountant asked for to see exactly what to black out:
- Redact your Social Security card for filing your taxes
- Redact your tax return for filing your taxes
- Redact your pay stub for filing your taxes
- Redact your bank statement for filing your taxes
FAQ
What do I need to redact for filing your taxes?
It depends on the document, but the rule is the same: hide the unique numbers (ID, account, card, or SSN) and keep only the figures and IDs required to file — shared through a secure channel, not plain email. Add a "For tax preparation only" watermark to every copy.
Is it safe to send document copies to a tax preparer or accountant?
Tax preparers are heavily targeted by fraudsters. Use their secure portal and redact anything (like full bank numbers) not needed to file. Send a redacted, watermarked copy rather than a clean scan whenever possible.
Will a redacted copy be accepted for filing your taxes?
Yes, in most cases. As long as the fields they actually need are visible and the copy is clearly watermarked, a redacted copy is standard and accepted practice.
Redact it now — on your iPhone, nothing uploaded
Cachera blacks out the pixels for good, stamps a purpose watermark, and exports a print-ready PDF. Fully offline.