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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)

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

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

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)

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)

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