Tax documents checklist.

Almost everyone

• Last year's tax returnIf you're new to this preparer.
• Photo IDFor you, and your spouse if filing jointly.
• W-2sOne from every employer you had during the year.
• 1099s1099-NEC or 1099-K for side work, 1099-INT and 1099-DIV for interest and dividends, 1099-B for sales of stock or crypto, 1099-R for retirement withdrawals, SSA-1099 for Social Security, 1099-G for unemployment or state refunds.
• Bank details for direct depositA voided check or your routing and account numbers.

If it applies to you

• 1098 mortgage interest statementFrom your mortgage company.
• Property tax billsIf they aren't paid through your mortgage.
• 1095-AIf you had health insurance through the Marketplace.
• 1098-T and 1098-ETuition paid, and student loan interest.
• Childcare costsAmount paid and the provider's name, address and tax ID.
• Charitable donation receiptsCash and non-cash gifts.
• Estimated tax paymentsDates and amounts, federal and state.
• Business income and expensesIf self-employed: income totals, expense records, and mileage log.
• Rental property income and expensesRent received, repairs, insurance, and property tax for each property.
• Home sale closing statementIf you sold a home this year.

What usually holds things up

• Corrected 1099s that arrive in March. Ask clients to send the corrected copy as soon as it shows up.
• Brokerage 1099s that come late. These often arrive after the W-2s.
• Childcare forms without the provider's tax ID.
• "I'll drop it off" piles of paper that never arrive. A phone photo uploaded today beats an envelope next month.

Questions

When do tax forms arrive?
Most W-2s and 1099s must go out by January 31. Brokerage forms often come in mid-February or later, and corrected forms can come after that.

Do I need to send receipts for everything?
Send what your preparer asks for. For deductions you'll claim, keep the records either way.

Is it safe to email my tax documents?
Email isn't a great place for Social Security numbers and income records. A secure upload link that deletes files on a schedule is safer.

Updated November 2026. Every lender, landlord and preparer is a little different, so treat this as a starting list, not legal or tax advice.