Tax Documents Checklist: What You Need to File Taxes

Complete your document checklist

Whether you use a Tax Pro or file by yourself, many of these documents will be necessary to complete your return. Use our checklist tool to see which documents apply to you.

Personal

Your Social Security number or tax ID number
Your spouse's full name and Social Security number or tax ID number
Your unexpired government issued ID
Your spouse's unexpired government issued ID

Dependent(s)

Dates of birth and Social Security numbers or other tax ID numbers
Childcare records (including the provider's tax ID number) if applicable
Form 8332 when the child’s custodial parent is releasing their right to claim a child to the noncustodial parent (if applicable)

Income

Employed

Forms W-2

Unemployed

Unemployment (1099-G)

Self-Employed

Forms 1099-NEC and 1099-K
Income records to verify amounts not reported on 1099s
Records of all expenses – check registers or credit card statements, and receipts
Business-use asset information (cost, date placed in service, etc.) for depreciation
Home office information, if applicable
Record of estimated tax payments made (Form 1040ES)

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 1040ES)

Retirement Income

Pension/IRA/annuity income (1099-R)
Traditional IRA basis (prior-year Forms 8606 showing amounts 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)
Expenses related to your investments
Record of estimated tax payments made (Form 1040ES)
1099-B and/or 1099-DIV from cryptocurrencies, NFTs and all other similar type income or loss
Cost of all cryptocurrencies, NFTs and other similar type of income sales

Other Income & Losses

State refunds (Form 1099-G)
Income from K-1s either as investment or as active owner
Gambling income (W-2G or records showing income, as well as expense records)
Jury duty records
Hobby income and expenses
Prizes and awards
Trusts
Royalties (1099-MISC)
Any other 1099s received
Health Savings Account and long-term care reimbursements (1099-SA or 1099-LTC) Deductions

Home Ownership

Form 1098 or other mortgage interest statements
Real estate and personal property tax records

Charitable Donations

Cash amounts donated to religious organizations, schools, other charitable organizations
Records of non-cash charitable donations
Amounts of miles driven for charitable purposes

Medical Expenses

Amounts paid for healthcare insurance and to doctors, dentists, hospitals
Miles driven for medical purposes
Travel expenses for medical, including hotels, planes, tolls, parking, etc

Health Insurance

Form 1095-A if you have health insurance through a State Marketplace (Exchange)

Childcare Expenses

Daycare paid for a child under age 13 so the taxpayer (and spouse) can work
Wages paid to a babysitter

Educational Expenses

Forms 1098-T from educational institutions
Receipts for qualified educational expenses
Records of scholarships or fellowships
Form 1098-E for student loan interest

State & Local Taxes or Sales Tax

Amount of state/local income tax paid (other than wage withholding), or amount of state and local sales tax paid
Invoice for large item purchases such as cars, boats, motorcycles etc.
Amount of real estate taxes paid
Amount of personal property taxes paid