The document checklist for your 2025 federal tax return

Your return is only as fast as the last document to arrive. Gathering everything before your first meeting with a preparer is the single easiest way to file on time and avoid amendments later.

Income

• Form W-2 from each employer you worked for during the year. Employers must send these by January 31.
• Form 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC for freelance, contract or other income.
• Form 1099-K if you were paid through a payment platform or card processor.
• Form 1099-INT and 1099-DIV for bank interest and dividends.
• Form 1099-B for sales of stocks, funds or crypto. Brokerages often issue a consolidated 1099 in mid-February and sometimes send corrected versions later.
• Schedule K-1 for income from partnerships, S corporations, trusts or estates. K-1s frequently arrive in March or later, so ask your preparer whether to wait or extend.
• Form 1099-R for distributions from retirement accounts and pensions.
• Form SSA-1099 if you received Social Security benefits.
• Form 1099-G for unemployment compensation or a state tax refund.

Deductions and credits

• Form 1098 for mortgage interest, and your property tax statements.
• Form 1098-E for student loan interest.
• Form 1098-T for college tuition, with receipts for books and required fees.
• Receipts or acknowledgements for charitable donations.
• The provider's name, address and tax ID for childcare costs.
• Form 1095-A if you had health insurance through the Marketplace. You'll need it to reconcile the premium tax credit.
• Form 5498-SA and 1099-SA for HSA contributions and withdrawals.
• Records of estimated tax payments you made during the year, federal and state.

Life changes to mention

Tell your preparer if you married or divorced, had or adopted a child, moved to another state, bought or sold a home, or started a business. Each can change your filing status, credits or which states you file in.

Identity and last year's return

Have last year's return handy; its adjusted gross income is often needed to verify your identity when e-filing. If the IRS has issued you an Identity Protection PIN, you'll need the current year's PIN. Include bank routing and account numbers only through a secure channel, never in an ordinary email.

Key dates

An extension gives you more time to file, not to pay. Tax still owed after April 15 accrues interest and may attract penalties, so estimate and pay what you expect to owe with the extension.