Tax Preparation Checklist: Everything You Need to File Your Taxes

1. Personal Information

   • Social Security Numbers (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for you, your spouse, and dependents.

   • Driver’s license or state-issued ID.

2. Income Documents

   • W-2 forms from all employers (for employees).

   • 1099 forms for other income:

     • 1099-NEC (non-employee compensation).

     • 1099-MISC (miscellaneous income).

     • 1099-INT (interest income).

     • 1099-DIV (dividends and distributions).

     • 1099-B (sales of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds).

     • 1099-R (retirement distributions).

     • 1099-G (unemployment benefits or state tax refunds).

   • K-1 forms (income from partnerships, trusts, estates, or S-corporations).

   • Rental property income and expenses.

   • Alimony received (for divorces finalized before 2019).

3. Deduction & Credit Documents

   • Mortgage interest (Form 1098).

   • Property tax bills.

   • Childcare expenses (provider name, address, and EIN or SSN).

   • Education expenses (Form 1098-T for tuition and 1098-E for student loan interest).

   • Medical and dental expenses (if itemizing).

   • Charitable donations (cash and non-cash).

   • Retirement contributions (IRA or HSA contributions).

   • Records of energy-efficient home improvements (solar panels, windows, etc.).

4. Self-Employment or Business Records

   • Income records (invoices, PayPal, Venmo, or bank statements).

   • Business expenses (office supplies, software, advertising, mileage logs, etc.).

   • Home office expenses (utility bills, rent, square footage of office space).

   • Estimated tax payments made throughout the year.

5. Investment and Savings Information

   • Investment account statements (gains, losses, dividends).

   • Cryptocurrency transactions.

   • Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions/distributions.

   • 529 plan distributions (for education).

6. Tax Payments

   • Records of estimated tax payments.

   • Last year’s state or federal tax refund (if applicable).

   • Documentation of underpayment penalties (if applicable).

7. Other Important Documents

   • Last year’s tax return (to reference carryovers or deductions).

   • Identity Protection PIN (if the IRS has issued one).

   • Records of any stimulus payments or advance child tax credit payments received.

   • Tax-exempt income or savings bond interest records.

8. Special Situations

   • Moving expenses (for active-duty military).

   • Adoption expenses.

   • Foreign income or assets (FBAR or FATCA requirements).

   • Gambling winnings/losses.

   • Casualty and theft losses.

Pro Tip: Organize your documents in a folder or digital file to ensure you have everything ready before filing. Missing documents can delay your tax return or lead to inaccuracies.

Let me know if you’d like additional details on any item!

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