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✅ Tax Preparation Checklist

Everything You Need
to File Your Taxes

Use this interactive checklist to gather every document, form, and piece of information you'll need for a smooth, stress-free tax filing.

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Personal Information 5 ▼
Social Security Numbers (SSN)
Yours, your spouse's, and all dependents' SSNs.
Date of Birth for all family members
Needed for dependents and credits like the Child Tax Credit.
Bank Account & Routing Number
For direct deposit of your refund. Speeds up the process significantly.
Prior Year Tax Return if applicable
Having last year's AGI helps verify your identity when e-filing.
Identity Protection PIN (if issued) if applicable
If the IRS issued you an IP PIN, you must include it.
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Income Documents 10 ▼
W-2 from all employers
You should receive one from each employer by January 31.
1099-NEC (Freelance / Self-Employment Income) if applicable
If you earned $600+ from any business as a contractor.
1099-MISC (Other Income) if applicable
Rent, prizes, awards, or other miscellaneous income.
1099-G (Unemployment or State Refund) if applicable
Received if you collected unemployment benefits during the year.
1099-INT (Interest Income) if applicable
From savings accounts, CDs, or bonds.
1099-DIV (Dividends) if applicable
From stocks, mutual funds, or ETFs.
1099-B (Brokerage / Investment Sales) if applicable
For capital gains or losses from selling securities.
SSA-1099 (Social Security Benefits) if applicable
If you received Social Security benefits during the year.
Schedule K-1 (Partnership, S-Corp, Trust Income) if applicable
If you are a partner, shareholder, or trust beneficiary.
Rental Income Records if applicable
Rent received, operating expenses, depreciation schedules.
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Deductions & Credits 9 ▼
Mortgage Interest Statement (Form 1098) if applicable
From your lender if you paid mortgage interest.
Property Tax Paid if applicable
Annual property tax statements from your county or lender.
Charitable Donation Receipts if applicable
Cash, non-cash, and mileage driven for charity. $250+ needs a written acknowledgment.
Medical & Dental Expenses if applicable
Deductible if they exceed 7.5% of your AGI. Include premiums, prescriptions, and copays.
State & Local Taxes Paid (SALT) if applicable
Deductible up to $10,000 ($5,000 if married filing separately).
Student Loan Interest (Form 1098-E) if applicable
Interest paid on qualified student loans.
Tuition & Education Fees (Form 1098-T) if applicable
For the American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning Credit.
Childcare Expenses if applicable
Provider's name, address, and Tax ID for the Child & Dependent Care Credit.
Educator Expenses if applicable
Teachers can deduct up to $300 in unreimbursed classroom expenses.
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Retirement & Investments 4 ▼
1099-R (Retirement Distributions) if applicable
From 401(k), IRA, pension, or annuity distributions.
IRA Contribution Records if applicable
Contributions may be deductible. Know your total for the tax year.
HSA Contribution & Distribution Info if applicable
Form 5498-SA for contributions, Form 1099-SA for distributions.
Cost Basis for Sold Investments if applicable
Original purchase price is needed to calculate capital gain or loss.
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Self-Employment / Business 6 ▼
Gross Business Income / Revenue Records if applicable
All income received through your business or freelance work.
Business Expense Receipts if applicable
Office supplies, software, equipment, professional services, etc.
Home Office Measurements if applicable
Square footage of office space vs. total home, for the home office deduction.
Vehicle Business Use Log if applicable
Business mileage log. Keep odometer readings and purpose of trips.
Estimated Tax Payments Made if applicable
Form 1040-ES payments made throughout the year. All 4 quarters.
Self-Employed Health Insurance Premiums if applicable
Premiums paid for yourself, spouse, and dependents may be deductible.
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Life Changes This Year 5 ▼
Marriage or Divorce Certificate if applicable
Filing status changes. Update your SSA records if your name changed.
New Dependent Information if applicable
SSN, birth date, and relationship for any new dependents.
Home Purchase or Sale Documents if applicable
Closing disclosure, 1099-S, and settlement statement.
Adoption Expenses if applicable
Qualifying expenses for the Adoption Tax Credit (Form 8839).
Marketplace Health Insurance (Form 1095-A) if applicable
If you had health coverage through the ACA marketplace.

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