The IRS will need a lot of tax documents and forms from you when filing your taxes.
Check out this tax checklist to see the documents and forms you need to file taxes.
Personal Information
These are general information that all taxpayers require.
- Your full legal name, as it appears in your legal and tax documents
- Your date of birth
- Your Social Security Number
- If applicable, your spouse’s full name, Social Security Number, or Tax ID Number
- Bank account and routing number where IRS will deposit your refund
Dependent(s) Information
If you have dependent(s), then you will need their:
- Date of Birth
- Social Security Number or Tax ID Number
- Income
- If applicable, Form 8332 which states that the child’s custodial parent is releasing their right to claim a child to the noncustodial parent (you)
Income Sources
These forms and information show your income sources, but not all of them are needed to file taxes. You will only need those that are applicable to you.
Employed
Unemployed
Self-Employed
- Form 1099-NEC
- Form 1099-K
- Income records for amounts not reported in Form 1099-MISC or Form 1099-NEC
- Records of all expenses
- Business-use asset information for depreciation (cost, date placed in service, etc.)
- If applicable, home office information
- Form 1040-ES (Record of estimated tax payments made)
Rental Income
- Income and expense records
- Rental asset information for depreciation (cost, date placed in service, etc.)
- Form 1040-ES
Retirement Income
- Form 1099-R – Pension/IRA/Annuity Income
- Traditional IRA basis (ex. contributions you made to your IRA using money that was already taxed)
- Form SSA-1099/RRB-1099 (Social Security/RRN Income)
Savings & Investments or Dividends
- Forms 1099-INT, 1099-OID, 1099-DIV (Interest, dividend income)
- Forms 1099-B, 1099-S (Income from sales of stock or other property)
- Dates of acquisition and records of your cost or other basis in property you sold (if basis is not reported on Form 1099-B)
- Expenses made that are related to your investments
- Form 1040-ES (Record of estimated tax payments made)
- Transactions that involve cryptocurrency
Other Income & Losses
- Form 1099-G (State refunds)
- Form W-2G (Gambling income)
- Records of jury duty compensation
- Hobby income and expenses
- Prizes and awards received
- Form 1041 (Trust Income)
- Form 1099-MISC (Royalty Income)
- Alimony records together with ex-spouse’s name and Social Security Number
- State Tax Refund
- Other 1099 Forms received
Tax Deduction Documents
Files and records used to support claims for tax deductions, such as receipts, invoices, donation records, and expense reports.
Home and Vehicle Ownership
- Form 1098 or other mortgage interest statements
- Real estate and personal property tax records
- Other 1098 Forms, if applicable
Charitable Donations
- Cash donations made to churches, schools, or other qualified charitable organizations
- Records of non-cash charitable donations
- Mileage driven for charitable purposes
Medical Expenses
- Payments made for health insurance, as well as expenses paid to doctors, dentists, and hospitals
- Mileage driven for medical purposes
- Travel expenses related to medical treatment, including costs for hotels, airfare, tolls, parking, etc.
Health Insurance
- Form 1095-A (if you enrolled in a health insurance plan through the Marketplace)
Childcare Expenses
- Fees paid to a licensed daycare center or in-home provider for the care of an infant or preschool-aged child
Educational Expenses
- Form 1098-T from educational institutions
- Itemized receipts showing qualified education-related costs
- Records of any scholarships or fellowships
- Form 1098-E (if you paid student loan interest)
State and Local Tax
- Amounts paid for state and local income or sales taxes, not including taxes withheld from wages
- Invoice or documentation showing vehicle sales tax paid and/or personal property tax on your vehicle
Retirement and Other Savings
- Form 5498-SA showing HSA contributions
- Form 5498 showing IRA contributions
- Other 5498 Forms, if applicable
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
Tips on preparing your income tax return:
Fill Out Forms Online
As you get ready to file your income tax return, it is smart to use an online PDF editor. This tool lets you fill out and sign tax forms electronically.
A web-based form-filler tool helps you complete documents faster and more accurately than printing and filling out forms by hand.
File Early
Do not stress over filing your tax returns by filing early—get the task out of the way as soon as possible!
Filing your tax return before the April deadline helps you avoid stress.
If you have to pay income tax instead of getting a refund, filing early helps you plan how to pay your bill.
Determine if You Should File an Extension
If you cannot finish all your tax tasks before April 15, you can file for an extension. Use Form 4868, which is the Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
By filing Form 4868, once the IRS grants your request, you will have until October 15 to file a return.
Take note, that filing for an extension does not extend your time to pay taxes. If you do not pay the amount due by April 15 you will incur interest and the IRS may charge you penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing federal income tax forms?
The deadline for filing federal income tax forms for the 2024 tax season is on April 15, 2025.
How do I ask for a tax filing extension?
If you need more time to file your taxes, submit Form 4868 by the tax deadline.
