What You Need to File Your Taxes

Your simple and stress-free tax prep checklist from The Wealthy Couple CPA

We get it—gathering tax documents can feel like a chore. That’s why we’ve created this super simple checklist to help you stay organized and make tax season as smooth as possible. Whether you’re self-employed, have kids, or just want to make sure you’re not missing anything, this guide has you covered.

1. Basic Info We’ll Need From You

Before we can get started, we’ll need a few personal details:

✅ Your Social Security Number (or Tax ID)
✅ Your spouse’s full name, SSN (or Tax ID), and date of birth
✅ IRS Identity Protection PIN (if the IRS has issued one to you or anyone in your household)
✅ Your bank account and routing number (for refunds or payments)

2. If You Have Kids or Dependents

If you’re claiming dependents, make sure to have:

✅ Their full names, birthdates, and SSNs or Tax IDs
✅ Childcare expenses (including provider info + their Tax ID)
✅ Income earned by your dependents (if any)
✅ If you’re a noncustodial parent claiming a child, include Form 8332

3. Where Your Income Came From

Not everything here will apply to you—just check off what does:

💼 If You’re Employed

✅ W-2 from each job you worked

📉 If You Were Unemployed

✅ 1099-G from unemployment

💻 If You’re Self-Employed or a Contractor

✅ Any 1099s (especially 1099-NEC or MISC)
✅ A list of all your business income (even if it’s not on a form)
✅ Records of expenses—receipts, statements, etc.
✅ Info on any equipment you purchased
✅ Home office info, if applicable
✅ Estimated tax payments you made

🏠 If You Have Rental Properties

✅ Income and expenses
✅ Purchase info (what you paid, when you started renting it out)
✅ Estimated tax payments made

👵 If You’re Retired

✅ 1099-R (pensions, annuities, IRAs)
✅ SSA-1099 (Social Security)
✅ Traditional IRA basis info, if you have it

📈 If You Have Investments, Dividends, or Crypto

✅ 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B, or 1099-S
✅ Records showing what you paid for anything you sold
✅ Crypto transaction reports
✅ HSA or long-term care forms (1099-SA or 1099-LTC)
✅ Any expenses related to your investments
✅ Estimated payments you made

🎰 Other Types of Income

✅ Gambling winnings (and your expenses if you have them)
✅ Jury duty pay
✅ Hobby income
✅ Any 1099s for prizes, awards, trusts, royalties
✅ Alimony paid/received
✅ State tax refund

4. Deductions You Might Qualify For

Not every deduction applies to everyone, but here’s what to look out for:

🏡 Homeowners

✅ Mortgage interest (Form 1098)
✅ Property taxes
✅ Energy-saving upgrades (solar panels, etc.)

💖 Charitable Donations

✅ Cash donations to churches or nonprofits
✅ Value of non-cash donations (clothes, furniture, etc.)
✅ Miles driven for charity or medical reasons

👩‍⚕️ Medical

✅ Medical bills, prescriptions, insurance premiums

🏥 Health Insurance

✅ 1095-A if you had Marketplace coverage

👶 Childcare

✅ Payments to daycare or babysitters (while you worked)
✅ Dependent care FSA info (if through your job)

🎓 Education

✅ 1098-T (college tuition)
✅ Receipts for tuition, books, fees
✅ 1098-E (student loan interest)

🍎 K–12 Teachers

✅ Receipts for classroom supplies

🚗 State & Local Taxes

✅ Vehicle property taxes or sales tax on big purchases
✅ Any additional state/local income or sales taxes paid

🪙 Retirement Contributions

✅ 5498-SA (HSA)
✅ 5498 (IRA contributions)
✅ Any other 5498 forms (ESA, QA, etc.)

🌪️ Disaster Relief

✅ Info about where the disaster happened
✅ Receipts and estimates for damages and repairs
✅ Insurance claims or FEMA assistance
✅ Check if your area was declared a disaster here