When you file your taxes, you’ll need documents that show how much income you earned during the year. The exact forms you need depend on how you made your money, so don’t worry if some sections don’t apply to you.
You don’t need to gather everything before you start—april will guide you based on your answers.
If you’re an employee
If you worked as a salaried or hourly employee, you’ll typically need:
Form W-2 from each employer
Employers are generally required to send W-2s by January 31. If you worked multiple jobs, you should receive a W-2 from each one.
If you’re missing a W-2, you can usually:
Check your employer’s payroll system, or
Contact your employer directly for a copy
If you’re self-employed, freelance, or have a side gig
If you earned income outside of a traditional job, you may receive:
Form 1099-NEC for contract or freelance work
Form 1099-K for payments processed through third-party apps
You should receive these documents by January 31.
In addition to tax forms, it’s a good idea to gather:
Income summaries
Expense receipts
Bank statements
Sales records
A profit and loss statement, if you have one
These help accurately report your income and expenses.
Investment income
You may receive one or more 1099 forms related to investments, including:
1099-INT for interest
1099-DIV for dividends
1099-B for broker or barter transactions
1099-OID for bond income
You should receive these documents by January 31, except for 1099-B, which needs to be sent by February 15.
Some financial institutions send a consolidated 1099, which may arrive later than other tax forms.
Retirement and benefits income
If you received retirement or government benefits, look for:
Form 1099-R for retirement plan distributions
Form SSA-1099 for Social Security benefits
You should receive these documents by January 31.
Not all retirement or Social Security income is taxable, but it still needs to be reported.
Other income you may need to report
Depending on your situation, you may also need documents for:
Unemployment income (Form 1099-G)
HSA distributions (Form 1099-SA)
Gambling winnings (sometimes Form W-2G)
Jury duty pay
Prizes or awards
Hobby income
Canceled debt (Form 1099-C)
Some of this income may appear on Schedule 1.
What if I don’t have a form yet?
If you’re missing a form:
You can often start filing without it
april will let you return and add income later
You should wait to file until all required income is included to avoid amendments
Key takeaway
You only need income documents that match how you earned money this year. If something doesn’t apply to you, you can skip it. april will help flag what’s required as you go.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax, legal, financial, accounting, or other advice. Rules and regulations vary by location and are subject to change, so please consult with an expert if you need advice specific to you.
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