Free browser tool · files stay on your device
Scan tax documents to PDF
Scan tax documents to PDF from phone photos: a paper W-2, a 1099, a P60 or a letter from the tax office becomes a straight page on a white background, and several forms become one PDF in the order you choose, ready to keep with your records or to send to whoever prepares your return.
No sign-up, no watermark. Size targets are best-effort; the final file size is always shown.
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Add
On a computer, drag images or PDFs here, or paste a screenshot (Ctrl / ⌘ + V).
Adjust
EffectWhitens the paper background; dark print stays dark.
Removes the color and adds a little contrast.
Keeps the original colors, with no tone change.
Pushes ink to black and paper to white; some gray can remain.
Evens out shadows and uneven light; keeps colored ink and stamps.
Fades blue, red and green ink; cannot reliably remove black handwriting.
Warm gray paper, fine grain and a slight tilt; colored ink turns gray.
Export
Export optionsA4 · Single · No limit
ID card: places the first two pages as front & back at ID-1 size on one A4 sheet. In the ID card tool, corners are proposed automatically when card edges are clear. Use Edit to check all four corners and adjust them by hand if needed.
PNG is lossless, so target sizes do not apply.
Uses original photos. Larger files and slower export. Available with No limit or PNG.
Optional. Keeps the image ratio and never exceeds the page.
How do I scan a W-2 to PDF?
Lay the W-2 flat in good light and take the photo from straight above. Add it with Take photo or choose image/PDF, check that the corners sit on the paper's edges (use Edit if they do not), keep the White document effect and choose Export PDF. Add another page first if you have more forms; they all go into one PDF.
The photos are processed on your device, in the browser, and are not uploaded to LensUp. LensUp makes the scan and nothing more: it does not read the figures on a form, fill in or file a return, or give tax advice. For what to file and when, follow the IRS or HMRC.
How it works
- Photograph each formLay the form flat on a dark, plain surface in daylight and shoot from straight above, one page per photo. Tap Take photo or choose image/PDF and pick the photos. A form you already have as a PDF can be added too.
- Check corners and orderLensUp proposes each page's corners. If one is off, choose Edit, then Perspective, place each corner on the paper edge and Apply. White document keeps dark print dark on white paper; Grayscale or Color keeps a coloured stamp. Drag the page cards to set the order.
- Export one PDFIn Export options, choose Letter or A4 under Paper size, then select Export PDF; the button shows the page count. If an upload form sets a size limit, pick a target under Compress to. The final file size is always shown.
Which tax documents people scan
In the US, the IRS page Gather your documents lists what to collect before you file: Forms W-2 from employers, Forms 1099 for other income, and records for any deductions or credits you claim. The IRS says you should get these forms electronically or by mail in January or February, so scan the paper ones as they arrive, while they are still flat and clean.
In the UK, HMRC says you need to keep records, for example bank statements or receipts, so you can fill in your Self Assessment tax return correctly. A P60 from your employer is a common paper document to keep with them. HMRC's pages on GOV.UK, not LensUp, say which records you need and how long to keep them.
Getting small print sharp
Box numbers and small print on a W-2 or 1099 need a sharp photo. Hold the phone parallel to the paper, fill the frame with the page and avoid the flash, which leaves a glare spot. If a shadow falls across the page, try the De-shadow effect, or retake the photo nearer a window.
By default each page is exported at up to 2,200 pixels on its long edge, which keeps the PDF small. For the sharpest small print, turn on High detail in Export options: it uses your original photos, so the file is larger. High detail works when Compress to is set to No limit, or with PNG.
Keeping the copies private
Tax forms carry your Social Security number or National Insurance number, your pay and your address. LensUp processes the photos on your device, and the PDF is saved where your browser saves downloads. On a shared computer, move the PDF to your own storage and close the tab when you finish.
The IRS advises keeping copies of your filed tax returns. A scan of the forms behind a return, stored next to it, makes the set easy to find later. How long to keep records depends on your situation; the IRS page How long should I keep records? explains the periods.
What this page does not do
LensUp does not read text. The PDF holds images of your pages, so the numbers are not searchable or selectable. It does not fill in, check or file a return, and it cannot tell you whether a scanned copy will be accepted by the IRS, HMRC or your preparer; ask them. To join PDFs you already have and keep their text, use Merge PDF instead.
Frequently asked questions
Are my tax forms uploaded anywhere?
No. The scan is made in your browser, on your phone or computer, and the photos are not uploaded to LensUp. The PDF is saved on your device; where it goes next, such as an email or a tax portal, is up to you.
Can I put a W-2 and several 1099s in one PDF?
Yes. Add each form as its own photo, use Add another page for more, drag the cards into order and choose Export PDF. A form you add as a PDF becomes an image page, so its text is no longer selectable; to combine PDFs and keep their text, use Merge PDF.
Will the IRS or HMRC accept a scanned copy?
That depends on what you send and to whom, and LensUp cannot answer it. Check the IRS or HMRC instructions for your return, or ask your tax preparer. HMRC says, for example, that your employer can give you a P60 on paper or electronically.