Your Individual Tax Return Checklist
This is a general checklist. Some items may or may not apply to you. Use this as a guide to gather applicable documents.
Personal Information
Your social security number or tax ID number
Your spouse’s full name, social security number or tax ID number, and date of birth
Information about your stimulus payment —also known as an economic impact payment (EIP) —if applicable —you may have IRS Notice 1444 or other records showing your EIP amount.
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
Dependent(s) Information
Dates of birth and social security numbers or tax ID numbers
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
Employed: Forms W-2
Unemployed: Unemployment (1099-G)
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 the 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 Charitable Donations
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
Childcare Expenses
Fees paid to a licensed daycare center or family daycare 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
Every Client is different and unique!
This is not a comprehensive list, but the list is a good starting point for gathering the required documents. When you meet with your CPA Advisor, they will advise you of any other documents that may be required.
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