Tax-Season Checklist

A general starting point for gathering what your preparer will need — organized so you can work through it category by category before your appointment.

Personal information

• Government-issued photo ID for yourself (and spouse, if filing jointly)
• Social Security cards or ITIN letters for yourself, spouse, and dependents
• Last year's tax return, for reference
• Direct deposit information for any refund

Income documents

• W-2s from every employer
• 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC for contract/freelance work
• 1099-K for payment-app or marketplace income, if applicable
• 1099-INT / 1099-DIV for interest and dividends
• 1099-R for retirement or pension distributions
• SSA-1099 for Social Security benefits
• Records of any cryptocurrency transactions
• Rental income records, if applicable
• Unemployment compensation statements (1099-G), if applicable

Self-employed & small-business clients

• Total income received for the year
• Business expense records, organized by category
• Mileage log or total business miles driven
• Home office measurements, if claiming that deduction
• Records of any estimated tax payments made
• Business bank and credit card statements
• Asset purchases made during the year (equipment, software, vehicles)

Deductions & credits

• Mortgage interest statement (Form 1098) and property tax records
• Student loan interest statement (Form 1098-E)
• Tuition statements (Form 1098-T) and education expenses
• Childcare provider information and amount paid
• Charitable donation receipts
• Significant medical expense records
• Retirement contribution records
• Health insurance marketplace statement (Form 1095-A), if applicable

Before your appointment

Organize documents by the categories above, note any life changes from the past year — marriage, a new child, a new business, a home purchase, a change of address — and write down any questions you want to cover. Bringing things organized, even loosely, saves time and helps your return get done accurately the first time.