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Stay Organized This Tax Season: A Simple Checklist

Before you tackle your federal income taxes, gather these must-haves — because guessing isn’t a filing strategy.

Here’s a tip to help you get organized: Tax season will be a lot easier every year when you store your tax forms, receipts, income and expense information, and related documents in Trustworthy’s Family Operating System®.

Information to Gather Before Getting Started

Social Security numbers and dates of birth for yourself, spouse, and dependents

W-2 forms from all employers

1099 forms for freelance work, interest, dividends, or other income

1099-R for retirement income (pensions, annuities, IRAs)

SSA-1099 for Social Security benefits

Bank account information for direct deposit (routing and account number)

Any IRS notices or letters received during the year

Last year’s federal tax return (optional, but helpful)

Potential Deductions to Explore

Mortgage interest (Form 1098)

Property taxes paid

Charitable donations (cash and non-cash, with receipts)

Medical expenses (if they exceed a percentage of your income)

Student loan interest

Contributions to IRAs and Health Savings Accounts

Child care expenses (provider’s name, address, and tax ID)

Self-employment expenses (home office, supplies, travel)

Tax Credits You May Qualify For

Child tax credit and dependent care credit

Earned income tax credit

Education credits (American Opportunity Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit)

Residential energy credits (solar, wind, or other renewable energy improvements)

Adoption credit

Income You May Have Forgotten About

Unemployment benefits (1099-G)

Investment income (1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B)

Rental income

Alimony received

Cryptocurrency transactions (purchase, sale, or trade)

Refunds from prior state or local taxes (if deducted on a previous federal return)

Additional Information to Collect

Estimated tax payments made during the year

Any federal tax refunds from the previous year applied to this year

Records of large gifts given or received (over the annual exclusion limit)

Information on foreign bank accounts

Details of any inherited assets sold during the year

Documentation of disaster-related losses