This tax documents checklist covers what to gather before you file your 2026 return in 2027. Bring your photo ID, Social Security numbers or ITINs, last year’s return, every W-2 and 1099, your 1098 forms, and records for any deductions or credits. New this year: records for the tips, overtime, car loan and senior deductions. A free printable copy is below.
Most forms come in the mail or show up in your online accounts by mid-February. Form 5498-SA, for HSA contributions, can come as late as May. Make one folder, paper or digital, and drop each one in as it arrives. When the pile matches this list, you’re ready to file.
Last updated October 27, 2026. For 2026 tax returns filed in 2027.
See the key numbers for your 2026 return, or read all the 2026 tax changes first.
Tax documents checklist at a glance
| About you | |
|---|---|
| Photo ID, SSNs or ITINs | Everyone on the return |
| Last year’s return | 2025 |
| Identity Protection PIN | If you have one |
| Income | |
| Wages | W-2 |
| Contract and other income | 1099-NEC, MISC, K |
| Interest, dividends, sales | 1099-INT, DIV, B |
| Retirement and Social Security | 1099-R, SSA-1099 |
| Deductions and credits | |
| Mortgage, student loan, tuition | 1098, 1098-E, 1098-T |
| Car loan interest (new) | 1098-VLI and VIN |
| Marketplace health insurance | 1095-A |
What personal documents do you need to file taxes?
- A photo ID for you and your spouse
- Social Security numbers or ITINs for you, your spouse and each dependent
- Your 2025 tax return, including your adjusted gross income (AGI)
- Your current address, and the name on file with Social Security
- Your bank routing and account numbers, for a direct deposit refund or to pay what you owe
- Your Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), if the IRS gave you one
An IP PIN is a six-digit number that stops anyone else from filing a return with your Social Security number. You get a new one every year. If you have one, it must go on your return, or an e-filed return will be rejected. Anyone with an SSN or ITIN can request an IP PIN from the IRS.
Which income forms should you look for?
- W-2 from each employer you worked for in 2026
- 1099-NEC for freelance or contract work
- 1099-MISC for rents, prizes and other income
- 1099-K for payments through card processors, payment apps or online marketplaces
- 1099-INT for bank interest
- 1099-DIV for dividends
- 1099-B for stocks or other investments you sold
- 1099-R for pensions, annuities and retirement plan withdrawals
- 1099-G for unemployment and other government payments
- SSA-1099 for Social Security benefits
- W-2G for gambling winnings
- Records of any digital asset sales, if you didn’t get a form for them
Keep in mind: you must report all of your income, even if no form arrives. For 2026, many businesses only send a 1099-NEC at $2,000 or more. See the 1099 threshold for 2026.
What do you need for the new 2026 deductions?
The 2025 tax law added four deductions you claim on the new Schedule 1-A. You can take them even if you don’t itemize. Here’s what to bring for each.
- No tax on tips: your W-2 (box 12, code TP) or 1099 showing your qualified tips. The deduction is up to $25,000.
- No tax on overtime: your W-2 (box 12, code TT) or 1099 showing qualified overtime. The deduction is up to $12,500, or $25,000 if married filing jointly.
- Car loan interest: Form 1098-VLI or your lender’s statement showing the interest you paid, and the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN). The VIN must go on your return. The car must be new, bought after 2024 for personal use, and assembled in the United States. The deduction is up to $10,000.
- Senior deduction: a valid SSN for each person who is 65 or older by the end of 2026. It’s up to $6,000 each, or $12,000 for a married couple who both qualify.
Each of these deductions shrinks at higher incomes, and married couples must file jointly to claim the tips, overtime and senior deductions. For the details, see what’s new for your 2026 return.
What records do you need for deductions and credits?
- Form 1098 for mortgage interest, plus property tax records, if you itemize
- Form 1098-E for student loan interest
- Form 1098-T for college tuition, plus receipts for books and other school costs
- Form 1095-A if you had health insurance through the Marketplace
- Child care records: what you paid, plus each provider’s name, address and SSN, ITIN or EIN. Form W-10 is an easy way to ask for this.
- HSA forms: Form 5498-SA for contributions and Form 1099-SA for withdrawals
- Charity records: receipts for cash and items you gave. New for 2026, you can deduct up to $1,000 of cash gifts ($2,000 if married filing jointly) even if you don’t itemize.
- Retirement plan or IRA contribution records
- Medical expense records, if you itemize
What should self-employed people bring?
- All 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC and 1099-K forms
- Statements from your bank, payment apps, card processors and online marketplaces
- Records of checks and cash paid to you
- Business expense receipts, including office costs
- A mileage log and car expense records
- The dates and amounts of your 2026 estimated tax payments, federal and Arizona
Not sure your payments were on track? See our guide to 2026 estimated tax payments. It covers the January 15, 2027 payment and the other 2027 tax deadlines.
Is there a printable tax documents checklist?
Yes. Print our one-page checklist and check items off as they arrive. It’s free to share with family, clients or your community group.
Tax documents checklist FAQ
Bring photo ID, Social Security numbers or ITINs, your 2025 return, every W-2 and 1099, any 1098 forms, and records for deductions and credits. Add your bank details for direct deposit and your IP PIN if you have one.
Form 1098-VLI or your lender’s statement showing the interest you paid, and the car’s VIN. The VIN must go on your return.
Yes. You must report all of your income, with or without a form.
A six-digit number from the IRS that stops anyone else from filing a return with your Social Security number. You get a new one each year, and it must go on your return.
What you paid, plus each provider’s name, address and SSN, ITIN or EIN. You can use Form W-10 to ask the provider for this.
About the author
Get help filing your 2026 return
Moon Valley Accounting & Tax Services prepares individual and business tax returns for Phoenix families and business owners, in English and Spanish. Book a free consultation, bring this checklist, and we’ll tell you if anything is missing. You can also see all of our tax, bookkeeping and payroll services.
2726 W Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017. Open Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Arizona time.
Sources
- IRS: Gather your documents
- IRS: Form 1040-ES (2026), What’s New (tips, overtime, car loan, senior and charity rules)
- IRS: Tax deductions for working Americans and seniors
- IRS: Instructions for Form 1098-VLI
- IRS: Get an Identity Protection PIN
- IRS: Instructions for Form 2441 (child and dependent care)
- IRS: Publication 1099, General Instructions for Certain Information Returns
This article is general information, not tax advice for your situation. Tax rules can change, so talk with a tax professional before you file.