Tax Preparation Checklist
Gather these documents before your appointment to ensure a smooth and accurate tax filing experience.
Personal Information
Personal Information
- Social Security numbers for you, your spouse, and any dependents
- Dates of birth for you, your spouse, and any dependents
- Income of any dependents
Income for the Tax Year
Wages & Employment
- W-2 forms (wages, tips, and other compensation)
- Tips and household employee wages not reported on W-2 forms
Retirement Income
- 1099-R forms for distributions from retirement plans (IRAs, pensions, annuities)
- SSA-1099 and RRB-1099 forms for Social Security and Railroad Retirement Board benefits
Self-Employment Income (Schedule C)
- 1099-NEC forms for non-employee compensation
- 1099-K forms from payment processors or online marketplaces
- Sales records
- Profit and loss statements
- Expense receipts and records (business use of home/vehicle, cost of goods sold)
Rental Income
- 1099-MISC forms showing rent payments received
- Rents received but not reported on 1099-MISC forms
- Number of days property is rented
- Receipts and other records for expenses
- Depreciation schedules
Other Income
- Alimony received (for divorce finalized before 2019)
- Business income from S corporations, partnerships, and LLCs (Schedule K-1 forms)
- Gambling winnings (W-2G forms)
- Prizes or awards (records showing amount or value)
- Refund of state or local income tax (1099-G forms)
- Scholarships (records showing scholarship purpose and use)
- Stock options (dates, stock value, and related information)
- Unemployment compensation (1099-G forms)
Tax Deductions
Charitable Gifts
- Receipts, bank/credit card statements for cash donations
- Written acknowledgment from recipient for gifts of $250+
- 1098-C forms for contributions of motor vehicles, boats, and airplanes
- Appraisals for donated property over $5,000
Medical and Dental Expenses
- Receipts for unreimbursed medical or dental expenses
- Out-of-pocket health and dental insurance premiums
- Mileage for medical reasons
- Lodging expenses while traveling for medical care
Mortgage Interest and Taxes
- 1098 forms for mortgage interest
- Real estate tax payment records
- Personal property tax payment records
- Estimated state and local income tax payments
Education & Student Loans
- 1098-E forms for student loan interest
- 1098-T forms for education credits
- Records for qualified educational expenses
Other Deductions
- Health savings account (HSA) deduction (5498-SA forms)
- Self-employed health insurance deduction
- Disaster/casualty and theft loss deduction
- Investment interest expense deduction
Tax Credits
Common Tax Credits
- Child and dependent care expenses (provider name, address, and TIN)
- 1098-T forms for education credits (American Opportunity / Lifetime Learning)
- 1095-A forms for Premium Tax Credit
- Receipts for home energy-saving upgrades
- Clean vehicle time-of-sale report from dealer
- Adoption expense receipts
- Retirement savings contributions for Saver's Credit
Other Information
Other Information
- Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit or tax payments
- Last year's tax return for general reference and e-filing
- Driver's license for e-filing (optional for additional security)
- Estimated or other tax payments for the tax year
Helpful IRS Resources
Ready to File Your Taxes?
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