Below is a Checklist to see if you are ready to file now. 
(At the bottom of this page, click the button to start uploading.)

Personal information:  

This information tells the IRS exactly who’s filing, who is covered in your tax return, and where
to deposit
 Social Security numbers and dates of birth for you, your spouse, your dependents
 Driver’s license(s)
 Copies of last year’s tax return for you and your spouse (helpful, but not required)
 Bank account number and routing number, if depositing your refund directly into your
account
Information about your income:

 W‐2 forms for you and your spouse
 1099‐MISC forms for you and your spouse (for any independent contractor work)
 1099‐G forms for unemployment income, or state or local tax refunds
 SSA‐1099 for Social Security benefits received
 1099‐R, Form 8606 for payments/distributions from IRAs or retirement plans
 1099‐INT, ‐DIV, ‐B, or K‐1s for investment or interest income
 1099‐S forms for income from sale of a property
 Miscellaneous income: jury duty, gambling winnings, Medical Savings Account,
scholarships, etc.
 Business or farming income ‐ profit/loss statement, capital equipment information
 Rental property income and expenses: profit/loss statement, suspended loss
information
 Prior year installment sale information ‐ Forms 6252, principal and interest collected
during the year, SSN and address for payer
Adjustments to your income:
The following items can help reduce the amount of your income that is taxed, which can
increase your tax refund, or lower the amount you owe.
 Form 1098‐E for student loan interest paid (or loan statements for student loans)
 Form 1098‐T for tuition paid (or receipts/canceled checks for tuition paid for post‐high
school)
 For teachers: Canceled checks or receipts for expenses paid for classroom supplies, etc.
 Records of IRA contributions made during the year
 Receipts for any qualifying energy‐efficient home improvements (solar, windows, etc.)
 Records of Medical Savings Account (MSA) contributions
 Self‐employed health insurance payment records
 Keogh, SEP, SIMPLE, and other self‐employed pension plans
Deductions and credits:
The government offers several deductions and credits to help lower the tax burden on
individuals, which means more money in your pocket. You’ll need the following documentation
to make sure you get all the deductions and credits you deserve:
 Childcare costs: provider’s name, address, tax ID, and amount paid
 Education costs: Form 1098‐T, education expenses

 Healthcare Advance Premiums: Form 1095A
 Adoption costs: SSN of child; records of legal, medical and transportation costs
 Forms 1098: Mortgage interest, private mortgage insurance (PMI), and points you paid
 Investment interest expenses
 Charitable donations: cash amounts, official charity receipts, canceled checks; value of
donated
 property; miles driven and out‐of‐pocket expenses
 Medical and dental expense records
 Casualty and theft losses: amount of damage, insurance reimbursements (Suspended
2018‐2025)
 Records/amounts of other miscellaneous tax deductions: union dues; unreimbursed
employee
 expenses (uniforms, supplies, seminars, continuing education, publications, travel, etc.)
 Records of home business expenses, home size/office size, home expenses
 Rental property income/expenses: profit/loss statement, rental property suspended loss
information
Taxes you’ve paid:

 State and local income taxes paid
 Real estate taxes paid
 Personal property taxes
 Vehicle license fees based on value of vehicle
Other information  Estimated tax payments made during the year (self‐employed)
 Prior‐year refund applied to current year and/or any amount paid with an extension to
file
 Foreign bank account information: location, name of bank, account number, peak value
of account during the yeas, etc.