What Documents Do I Need to File Taxes? (2026 Checklist)
The documents needed to file taxes can vary by situation. Use this 2026 tax filing checklist to make sure you have all the required forms and information ready. You can also complete our intake form to organize your details and ensure nothing is missed before filing.
Personal Information
You’ll need tax identification numbers for everyone listed on your return. Be sure to have the following details ready before you file.
- Your Information
- Your social security number (SSN) or tax ID number (example: ITIN, EIN, ATIN)
- Your spouse’s full name, SSN or tax ID number, and date of birth
- Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), if applicable, for each person listed on the return
- Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit or payment
- Foreign reporting and residency information, if applicable
- Dependent(s) Information
- Dates of birth and SSN 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
Sources of Income
Some of these forms may not apply to your situation each year.
- Employee
- Forms W-2
- Self-Employed
- Forms 1099, Schedule K-1, and any records of income not already reported on a 1099
- Records of all expenses
- Business asset details for depreciation (cost, purchase date, date placed in service)
- Home office information, if applicable
- Estimated tax payment records (federal and state)
- Rental Income
- Records of income and expenses
- Rental asset details for depreciation (cost, purchase date, date placed in service)
- Estimated tax payment records (federal and state)
- Retirement Income
- Pension / IRA / annuity income (1099-R)
- Traditional IRA basis (contributions you already paid taxes on)
- 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)
- Digital asset income and transaction records (cryptocurrency, NFTs, 1099-DA)
- Health Savings Account and long-term care reimbursements (1099-SA or 1099-LTC)
- Expenses related to your investments
- Estimated tax payment records (federal and state)
- Other Income & Losses
- Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions - 1099-K
- Gambling income (W-2G or records showing income, as well as expense records)
- Hobby income and expenses
- Prizes and awards
- Royalty Income 1099–MISC
- Record of alimony paid / received with ex-spouse’s name and SSN
- Jury duty records
- Trust income
- State tax refund
- Any other 1099s received
Types of Deductions
Deductions vary by situation, so you may not need all of the documents below.
- Home and Vehicle Ownership
- Forms 1098 or other mortgage interest statements
- Real estate and personal property tax records
- Receipts for energy-saving home improvements (example: solar panels, solar water heater)
- Electric vehicle information
- 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 purposes
- Medical Expenses
- Amounts paid for healthcare, insurance, and to doctors, dentists, and hospitals
- Amounts paid for qualified insurance premiums if paid outside of the Marketplace or an employer provided plan
- Amounts of miles driven for medical purposes
- Health Insurance
- Form 1095-A if you enrolled in an insurance plan through the Marketplace
- Childcare Expenses
- Fees paid to a licensed day care center or family day care 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 and 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
- All 5498 series forms (5498-SA, 5498-QA, 5498-ESA)
- Federally Declared Disaster
- Disaster-related information (location, losses, repairs, insurance, and assistance)
- Check the FEMA website to see if your county has been declared a federal disaster area