Tax Prep Checklist

We’ve put together this Tax Prep Checklist to help you be ready and well organized before you start preparing your taxes for filing. Whether you see a tax professional or prepare your taxes on your own, this checklist will help get the documents and forms ready to get started.

Personal info

• Copy of Driver license or state ID for every one listed on the tax return
• Copy of Birth certificates for everyone listed on the tax return
• Copy of Social security card or tax ID number for everyone listed on the tax return
• Identity Protection PIN, if one has been issued to you, your spouse, or your dependent by the IRS
• Routing and account numbers to receive your refund by direct deposit or pay your balance due if you choose

Dependents info

• Childcare records (including the provider’s tax ID number) if applicable
• Income of dependents and of other adults in your home
• Form 8332 showing that the child’s custodial parent is releasing their right to claim a child to you, the noncustodial parent (if applicable)

Sources of Income

If Employed:

• Forms W-2

If Unemployed:

• (1099-G) Unemployment 

If Self Employed:

• Forms 1099, Schedules K-1, income records to verify amounts not reported on 1099-MISC or new 1099-NEC
• Records of all expenses — check registers or credit card statements, and receipts
• Business-use asset information (cost, date placed in service, etc.) for depreciation
• Office in home information, if applicable
• Record of estimated tax payments made (Form 1040–ES)

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 1040–ES)

Retirement Income

• Pension/IRA/annuity income (1099-R)
• Traditional IRA basis (i.e., amounts you contributed to the IRA that were 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)
• Health Savings Account and long-term care reimbursements (1099-SA or 1099-LTC)
• Expenses related to your investments
• Record of estimated tax payments made (Form 1040–ES)
• Transactions involving cryptocurrency (Virtual currency)

Other Income & Losses

• Gambling income (W-2G or records showing income, as well as expense records)
• Jury duty records
• Hobby income and expenses
• Prizes and awards
• Trust income
• Royalty Income 1099–MISC
• Any other 1099s received
• Record of alimony paid/received with ex-spouse’s name and SSN
• State tax refund

Types of Deductions

Home Ownership

• Forms 1098 or other mortgage interest statements
• Real estate and personal property tax records
• Receipts for energy-saving home improvements (e.g., solar panels, solar water heater)
• All other 1098 series forms

Charity

• Cash amounts donated to houses of worship, schools, other charitable organizations
• Records of non-cash charitable donations
• Amounts of miles driven for charitable or medical purposes

Medical Expenses

• Amounts paid for healthcare, insurance, and to doctors, dentists, and hospitals

Health Insurance

• Form 1095-A if you enrolled in an insurance plan through the Marketplace (Exchange)

Childcare Expenses

• Fees paid to a licensed day care center or family day care for care of an infant or preschooler
• Amounts paid to a baby-sitter or provider care of your child under age 13 while you work
• Expenses paid through a dependent care flexible spending account at work

Educational Expenses

• Forms 1098-T from educational institutions
• Receipts that itemize qualified educational expenses
• Records of any scholarships or fellowships you received
• Form 1098-E if you paid student loan interest

K-12 Educator Expenses

• Receipts for classroom expenses (for educators in grades K-12)

State & Local Taxes

• Amount of state and local income or sales tax paid (other than wage withholding)
• Invoice showing amount of vehicle sales tax paid and / or personal property tax on vehicles

Retirement & Other Savings

• Form 5498-SA showing HSA contributions
• Form 5498 showing IRA contributions
• All other 5498 series forms (5498-QA, 5498-ESA)

Federally Declared Disaster

• City/county you lived/worked/had property in
• Records to support property losses (appraisal, clean-up costs, etc.)
• Records of rebuilding/repair costs
• Insurance reimbursements/claims to be paid
• FEMA assistance information
• Check the FEMA website to see if your county has been declared a federal disaster area

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