Get Ready to File: Checklist for All the Tax Documents You Need

Tax season is here, and it’s important to have all the necessary documents ready for filing. Gather your personal information, including full legal name, date of birth, home address, Social Security or tax ID number, driver’s license, last year’s tax return, and routing and checking account numbers for direct deposit or paying your bill. This information is crucial to ensure that your tax return is filed correctly and to verify your identity.

If you are a parent or caregiver, you will also need information about your dependents, including date of birth, Social Security or tax ID numbers, childcare records, and their income. This is important as there are a number of deductions and tax credits available for parents, and having this information on hand will help you take advantage of these. Additionally, you will need to report all sources of income, including employee compensation, royalties, tips, rent, and any other income that you may have received in the past year.

If you are a salaried or hourly employee, you should receive a Form W-2 from your employer around mid- to late-January. This form is crucial as it will have all your income and taxes paid throughout the year. You will need this information to file your taxes accurately. If you’re self-employed or have multiple sources of income, you may receive several forms such as Form 1099-MISC or Form 1099-INT, which you will also need for filing your tax return.

It’s important to keep all these documents organized and to have a clear understanding of which forms and information are needed for a stress-free filing process.