Tips for Document Photos
Getting a clear photo of your tax documents helps the AI extract information accurately. Follow these tips for the best results.
Before you start
- Have your tax documents ready (W-2, 1099 forms, etc.)
- Find a well-lit area with even lighting
- Use a flat surface like a table or desk
- Make sure your phone camera lens is clean
Taking a good photo
Do
- Place the document flat on a solid-color surface
- Make sure the entire document is visible in the frame
- Hold your phone directly above the document (not at an angle)
- Use natural light or bright, even indoor lighting
- Wait for the camera to focus before taking the photo
- Use the highest resolution setting on your camera
Avoid
- Shadows covering parts of the document
- Glare or reflections from overhead lights
- Crumpled or folded documents
- Taking photos at an angle (causes distortion)
- Blurry photos from camera shake
- Cutting off edges or corners of the document
Supported document types
The AI can extract data from these common tax documents:
- W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement)
- 1099-NEC (Nonemployee Compensation)
- 1099-MISC (Miscellaneous Income)
- 1099-INT (Interest Income)
- 1099-DIV (Dividends and Distributions)
- 1098 (Mortgage Interest Statement)
- Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business)
- K-1 (Partnership/S-Corp Income)
- 1099-B (Proceeds from Broker Transactions)
Note: Not all document types are available on all plans. Your tax preparer will let you know which documents to upload based on their plan.
If the extraction is not accurate
If the AI does not correctly read your document, try uploading a new photo with better lighting and positioning. Your tax preparer can also manually review and correct any extracted data on their end.
Tip: If you have a digital copy (like a PDF downloaded from your employer's payroll portal), use that instead of taking a photo. Digital copies are usually higher quality and produce more accurate results.