Tax Prep Documents Checklist
The documents you need for tax prep depend on your situation. To help you prepare for your tax appointment or for filing your own taxes, we’ve created a checklist to help you know what forms to bring.
Personal Information
Tax Identification Numbers are mandatory items on your checklist. All taxpayers will need the following to do their taxes.
Your social security number or tax ID number
Your spouse’s full name, social security number or tax ID number, and date of birth
Identity Protection PIN, if one has been issued to you, your spouse, or your dependent by the IRS
Routing and account numbers to receive your refund by direct deposit or pay your balance due if you choose
Dependent(s) Information
Parents and caregivers should gather this information as they review what they need to file their taxes.
Dates of birth and social security numbers or tax ID numbers
Childcare records (including the provider's tax ID number) if applicable
Income of dependents and of other adults in your home
Form 8332 showing that the child’s custodial parent is releasing their right to claim a child to you, the noncustodial parent (if applicable)
Sources of Income
Many of these forms won’t be needed to file taxes every year. For example, you will only receive the investment forms you may need to file your taxes if you had distributions or other activity.
Unemployed
Unemployment (1099-G)
Self-Employed
Forms 1099, Schedules K-1, income records to verify amounts not reported on 1099-MISC or 1099-NEC
Records of all expenses — check registers or credit card statements, and receipts
Business-use asset information (cost, date placed in service, etc.) for depreciation
Office in home information, if applicable
Record of estimated tax payments made (Form 1040–ES)
Rental Income
Records of income and expenses
Rental asset information (cost, date placed in service, etc.) for depreciation
Record of estimated tax payments made (Form 1040–ES)
Retirement Income
Pension/IRA/annuity income (1099-R)
Traditional IRA basis (i.e., amounts you contributed to the IRA that were already taxed)
Social security/RRB income: SSA-1099, RRB-1099
Savings & Investments or Dividends
Interest, dividend income (1099-INT, 1099-OID, 1099-DIV)
Income from sales of stock or other property (1099-B, 1099-S)
Dates of acquisition and records of your cost or other basis in property you sold (if basis is not reported on 1099-B)
Health Savings Account and long-term care reimbursements (1099-SA or 1099-LTC)
Expenses related to your investments
Record of estimated tax payments made (Form 1040–ES)
Transactions involving cryptocurrency (Virtual currency)
Other Income & Losses
Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions - 1099-K
Gambling income (W-2G or records showing income, as well as expense records)
Jury duty records
Hobby income and expenses
Prizes and awards
Trust income
Royalty Income 1099–MISC
Any other 1099s received
Record of alimony paid/received with ex-spouse’s name and SSN
State tax refund
Types of Deductions
The types of deductions you can take depend a lot on your life situation. It’s likely you won’t need all of the documents listed below for your taxes.
Home Ownership
Forms 1098 or other mortgage interest statements
Real estate and personal property tax records
Receipts for energy-saving home improvements (e.g., solar panels, solar water heater)
All other 1098 series forms
Charitable Donations
Cash amounts donated to houses of worship, schools, other charitable organizations
Records of non-cash charitable donations
Amounts of miles driven for charitable or medical purposes
Medical Expenses
Amounts paid for healthcare, insurance, and to doctors, dentists, and hospitals
Amounts paid for qualified insurance premiums if paid outside of the Marketplace or an employer provided plan
Health Insurance
Form 1095-A if you enrolled in an insurance plan through the Marketplace (Exchange)
Childcare Expenses
Fees paid to a licensed day care center or family day care for care of an infant or preschooler
Amounts paid to a baby-sitter or provider care of your child under age 13 while you work
Expenses paid through a dependent care flexible spending account at work
Educational Expenses
Forms 1098-T from educational institutions
Receipts that itemize qualified educational expenses
Records of any scholarships or fellowships you received
Form 1098-E if you paid student loan interest
K-12 Educator Expenses
Receipts for classroom expenses (for educators in grades K-12)
State and Local Taxes
Amount of state and local income or sales tax paid (other than wage withholding)
Invoice showing amount of vehicle sales tax paid and / or personal property tax on vehicles
Retirement & Other Savings
Form 5498-SA showing HSA contributions
Form 5498 showing IRA contributions
All other 5498 series forms (5498-QA, 5498-ESA)
Federally Declared Disaster
City/county you lived/worked/had property in
Records to support property losses (appraisal, clean-up costs, etc.)
Records of rebuilding/repair costs
Insurance reimbursements/claims to be paid
FEMA assistance information
Check the FEMA website to see if your county has been declared a federal disaster area
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