01/24/2020
Electronic Filing for the 2019 tax year starts this coming Monday January 27th 2020. Here is a list of things you may need to file your taxes.
What you need to file your taxes varies depending on your situation. For example, a tax prep checklist for a self-employed college student may include a 1099 and 1098-T. However, if you weren’t in college and only received a W-2, you could skip those items on your tax documents checklist.
Whether you see a tax professional or prepare your taxes on your own, we’re here to help you determine what forms and information you need to file your taxes.
Use the tax checklist below to find the documents and forms you'll need to get started.
Personal Information
Tax Identification Numbers are mandatory items on your tax prep checklist. All taxpayers will need the following information.
Your social security number or tax ID number
Your spouse's full name and social security number or tax ID number
Dependent(s) Information
Parents and caregivers should gather this information as they review what they need to file their taxes.
Dates of birth and social security numbers or tax ID numbers
Childcare records (including the provider's tax ID number) if applicable
Income 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
Many of these forms won't apply every year. For example, you will only receive the investment forms you may need to file your taxes if you had distributions or other activity.
Employed
Forms W-2
Unemployed
Unemployment, state tax refund (1099-G)
Self-Employed
Forms 1099, Schedules K-1, income records to verify amounts not reported on 1099s
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 (1099-SSA, 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 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
Trusts
Royalty Income 1099–Misc.
Any other 1099s received
Record of alimony paid/received with ex-spouse’s name and SSN
Types of Deductions
The types of deductions you can take depend a lot on your life situation. It’s likely you won’t need all of the records listed below for your tax documents checklist.
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, hospitals
Health Insurance
Form 1095-A if you enrolled in an insurance plan through the Marketplace (Exchange)
Childcare Expenses
Fees paid to a licensed day care center or family day care for care of an infant or preschooler
Wages paid to a baby-sitter
Don't include expenses paid through a 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/local income tax paid (other than wage withholding), or amount of state and local sales tax paid
Invoice showing amount of vehicle sales tax paid
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 FEMA site to see if my county has been declared a federal disaster area
Best wishes in 2020 and may you get the most out of your 2019 tax return!!
