To make tax filing smooth and efficient, bring your accountant anything that shows income, deductions, investments, and major life changes from the past year. Here’s a practical checklist you can use.
Personal Information
Social Security numbers (you, spouse, dependents)
Driver’s license or state ID
Last year’s tax return
Bank routing and account number (for direct deposit or payment)
Income Documents
- W-2 (from employers)
- 1099-NEC / 1099-MISC (contractor or side income)
- 1099-INT (interest income)
- 1099-DIV (dividends)
- 1099-B (investment sales)
- 1099-R (retirement distributions)
- 1099-SSA (Social Security benefits)
- K-1 (partnerships, S-corps, trusts)
- Rental income records
- Business income & expense summary (if self-employed)
- Alimony received
- Income from rental property
- Miscellaneous income
If you have investment accounts or retirement accounts (like IRAs or 401(k)s), your custodian will typically provide these forms.
Home & Property Documents
- Mortgage interest statement (Form 1098)
- Property tax statements
- Closing disclosure (if you bought or sold property)
- Home improvement records (if selling)
- Rental property expense summary
Health Insurance
- 1095-A (if you used Marketplace insurance)
- 1095-B or 1095-C (if applicable)
- HSA contributions and distributions (Form 5498-SA, 1099-SA)
Income Adjustments (if any)
- Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) confirmations
- Estimated tax payment records
- Student loan interest (summarized in Form 1098-E)
- IRA contributions
- Energy credits
- Records of educator expenses
- Records of alimony paid
- Retirement plan contributions
- Health savings account (HSA) contributions
- Premium payments for health insurance if you're self-employed
Deductions & Credits
- Charitable contributions, including cash and noncash donations
- Medical expense totals
- Childcare expenses (provider EIN + total paid)
- Child tax credit documentation
- Retirement contributions (IRA contributions not on payroll)
- Energy-efficient home improvement receipts
- Electric vehicle purchase documents (if applicable)
- Mortgage interest summary (Form 1098)
- Medical and dental expenses
- Adoption costs
- Tuition expenses for dependent children (Form 1098-T)
- Theft losses and casualty
- Record of business use for home office deductions such as the square footage calculation, utility expenses, the date you started using the space for a home office.
If You Own a Business
- Profit & loss statement
- Expense breakdown
- Mileage logs
- Asset purchases (equipment, vehicles)
- Payroll records (if you have employees)