What Documents Do I Need to File My Taxes? The Complete Checklist
Short answer
Bring photo ID and Social Security numbers for everyone on the return, every income statement you received (wages, contract work, payment apps, interest, dividends, investments, retirement, unemployment), records of deductible expenses (mortgage interest, property tax, charitable gifts, medical costs), records for credits (child care, tuition, health coverage), last year’s return, and your bank details for direct deposit. The full checklist is below.
The fastest, most accurate tax returns start before anyone opens tax software. When everything is in one folder, your preparer can find every deduction and credit you qualify for, and you avoid one of the most common reasons for IRS letters: income that was left off the return. Use this checklist as you collect documents in January and February.
1. Personal information
- Photo ID for you (and your spouse, if filing jointly)
- Social Security numbers (or ITINs) and dates of birth for everyone on the return, including children
- Last year’s federal and state returns, which help with carryovers and catch changes
- Your IRS Identity Protection PIN, if the IRS issued you one
- Bank routing and account number for direct deposit of your refund
- Any IRS or New York State letters you received during the year
2. Income documents
Every source of income needs to be reported, whether or not you received a form for it.
| Income type | What to bring |
|---|---|
| Jobs | Wage statement from every employer you worked for during the year, including short-term and seasonal jobs |
| Freelance, contract, or gig work | Income statements from clients and platforms, plus your own records of payments that didn’t come with a statement |
| Payment apps and online sales | Statements from payment apps or marketplaces, plus your own sales records |
| Bank interest and dividends | Year-end interest and dividend statements |
| Investments and crypto | Brokerage consolidated statements showing sales, cost basis, and gains or losses |
| Retirement income | Statements for pension, annuity, IRA, or 401(k) distributions |
| Social Security | Annual benefit statement |
| Unemployment | State unemployment income statement |
| Rental property | Rent received, plus expenses. See rental property bookkeeping |
| Sale of a home | Closing statement from the sale and records of what you paid and improved |
| Gambling winnings | Winnings statements and records of losses |
If you drive, deliver, sell online, or freelance on the side, read our guide to side hustle taxes. Income from a side job is taxable even if no one sends you a form.
3. Deductions
Whether these help depends on whether you itemize. Bring them anyway and let your preparer compare. See standard deduction vs. itemizing.
- Mortgage interest statement from your lender
- Property tax bills or proof of payment (often on the mortgage statement)
- State and local income tax paid beyond withholding, such as estimated payments or a balance paid with last year’s return
- Charitable donations: receipts or acknowledgment letters, including for noncash items
- Medical and dental expenses you paid out of pocket, including insurance premiums not paid with pre-tax dollars
- Student loan interest statement
- Retirement contributions you made directly to an IRA
- Health savings account contribution and distribution statements
4. Documents for the newer deductions
Several deductions created by recent tax law apply for 2025 through 2028. Bring:
- Tip records if you work in a tipped job (your pay stubs and wage statement amounts)
- Overtime records: pay stubs or employer statements showing overtime hours and pay
- Car loan interest statement if you bought a new vehicle with a loan taken out after 2024
- Your birth date if you’re 65 or older (there’s a new senior deduction)
Details are in no tax on tips and overtime explained and the new senior deduction.
5. Credits
- Child care: provider’s name, address, tax ID number, and amount paid
- Education: tuition statements from the college and receipts for required books and fees
- Health coverage: marketplace insurance statement, if you bought coverage through the marketplace
- Children and dependents: Social Security numbers and the months each child lived with you. See the child tax credit guide
6. If you’re self-employed or have a side business
- Total income by client or platform
- Business expenses by category, such as supplies, phone, software, and insurance
- Mileage log (date, purpose, miles). See how to track mileage
- Home office measurements, if you use part of your home only for business. See home office deduction
- Estimated tax payments you made during the year, with dates and amounts
7. Things people forget
- A second wage statement from a job you left early in the year
- Small interest from an online savings account
- Estimated payments made to the IRS or New York State
- Last year’s refund that was applied to this year
- Childcare paid to a relative or babysitter (you still need their tax ID)
- A move into or out of New York City during the year, which affects your city tax. See NYC resident taxes
How long to keep everything
Keep your return and supporting documents for at least three years after filing, and longer in some situations. See how long to keep tax records.
Want us to handle your return this year?
Bring this checklist to a free consultation and we’ll tell you exactly what else we need.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to bring to my tax appointment?
Photo ID, Social Security numbers and birth dates for everyone on the return, all income statements, records of deductible expenses and credits, last year’s tax return, and a voided check or bank account details for direct deposit.
What if I’m missing an income statement?
Contact the employer or payer first. You can also see the income information the IRS received by requesting a wage and income transcript through your IRS online account. Don’t file without it, because missing income is one of the most common reasons for an IRS notice.
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