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Everyday tasks

How to put your tax documents into one PDF

By DeckleUpdated

To put your tax documents into one PDF, convert any receipt photos to PDF, unlock any protected statements, then open Merge PDFs, add every file in the order your accountant or tax office wants and choose Merge PDFs. You get a single file for the tax year that is easy to send, upload or archive. Your separate documents stay as they were.

Merge PDF
Illustrated document pages containing a chart, photograph and text.
Illustration · a document can contain more than its visible pages.

How to combine tax documents with Deckle

  1. Gather the year's documents in one folder: income statements, payslips, bank interest statements, receipts and any letters from the tax office.
  2. Turn photos of receipts into a PDF with JPG to PDF, or HEIC to PDF for iPhone photos. Choose Fit inside A4 so each receipt sits on a normal page.
  3. Unlock any statement that asks for a password with Unlock PDF and the password you were given.
  4. Open Merge PDFs and choose Select files, or drop the PDFs onto the page.
  5. Arrange the list into sections (see the order below). Drag rows by their handles, or type a position and choose Move to.
  6. Set Output PDF name, for example tax-return-2025-26-documents.pdf, and choose Merge PDFs.
  7. Download the file and check that each section starts where you expect.

The result screen tells you how many pages were combined from how many files. Write that number down; it is a quick check if the file is ever questioned.

A sensible order

Accountants and tax offices read faster when similar documents sit together. Unless you are told otherwise, group them like this:

Section Typical documents
1. Income Employer year-end statements, payslips, invoices issued if self-employed
2. Savings and investments Bank interest statements, dividend vouchers, pension statements
3. Expenses and deductions Receipts, mileage logs, charity donation receipts, childcare costs
4. Correspondence Letters and notices from the tax office

Inside each section, put documents in date order. Merge PDFs follows the order of the list, not the dates in the file names, so read the list from top to bottom before you merge.

Example: 2 year-end statements (1 page each), 12 monthly payslips (1 page each), 4 bank interest statements (2 pages each) and a 9-page receipts PDF make a 31-page file from 19 source files.

Receipts: one PDF first, then merge

Merge PDFs takes PDF files, so receipts need converting first. Put all receipt photos into one conversion in JPG to PDF: each photo becomes one page, in the order of the Images to include list. That gives you a single receipts PDF to drop into the expenses section. Each image tool takes only its own format, so convert HEIC photos separately in HEIC to PDF and merge both receipt PDFs.

Small paper receipts fade over time, so photographing them during the year is worth it. Lay each one flat on a dark background so the edges are clear. See how to turn handwritten homework into a PDF for photo tips that apply just as well to receipts.

One file or several?

One combined file is easiest for an accountant who will work through everything. Tax office portals often have separate upload fields for different evidence, and some limit the size of each file. In that case, merge each section into its own PDF instead, such as 2025-26-income.pdf and 2025-26-expenses.pdf.

If the combined file is too large for a portal, split it back into sections with Split PDF, using page ranges.

Tips

  • Protect the file before you email it. Tax documents show your income, address and identification numbers. Add a password with Password protect PDF and tell your accountant the password by phone or text.
  • Keep the originals. Tax offices can ask for the original documents for several years. The merged PDF is a convenient copy, not a replacement.
  • Remove blank and duplicate pages first. A blank reverse side or a second copy of the same payslip makes the file longer for no reason. Use Organize PDF pages on the source file.
  • Don't unlock files you weren't given the password for. Unlock PDF needs the correct password and does not guess one.

Other ways to gather tax documents

  • Your accountant's portal. Many accountants provide a secure upload area where each document goes in separately. Use it if offered; they may prefer individual files.
  • On a Mac or PC. See how to merge PDF files on a Mac or on Windows for built-in options.

Frequently asked questions

Can I merge photos of receipts with PDF statements?

Yes. Convert the photos to a PDF with JPG to PDF first, then merge that PDF with the statements.

Is it safe to combine tax documents in a browser tool?

Deckle processes the files on your device in the browser; they are not uploaded. Protect the result before emailing it, and delete copies you no longer need.

Will the tax office accept a merged PDF?

That depends on the service. Some ask for each document separately or set a file size limit, so check the instructions for the service you are using before you merge.

Can I add more documents later?

Yes. Open Merge PDFs, add the existing combined PDF and the new documents, arrange them and merge again.

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