• Tax documents checklist: What do you need to file taxes?

    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.

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    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

    Foreign reporting and residency information - if applicable

    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.

    Employed

    Forms W-2

    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 digital assets like cryptocurrency or NFTs (1099-DA)

    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 and Vehicle 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)

    Electric vehicle information

    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