Last year's tax information. A copy of your federal and state returns (IRS and state Form 1040), if applicable.

Driver’s License

Social Security Numbers (SSNs), legal full names, and dates of birth for you, your spouse, and dependents.

IRS Form W-2. Employers must send out your W-2 (for salaried or hourly employees) by January 31 for the coming tax season.

Forms 1099. You are likely to receive a 1099-NEC for contract work and/or 1099-K for payments via third party apps if you are an independent contractor, self-employed, or a freelancer.

It will also be helpful to have any documentation you used to run your business including, but not limited to, receipts, a summary of income, records for expenses, bank statements, records of sales, and/or a profit and loss statement, if you have one.

Forms 1099. You will receive a 1099-INT for interest earnings, 1099-DIV for dividend earnings, 1099-B for broker and barter exchange transactions, and/or 1099-OID for bonds. If the issuer is putting together a consolidated 1099 statement on your behalf, they have until February 14th to mail out this form, so you may get it a little later than your other forms.

Form 1099-R. You will receive this form if you have distributions from a retirement plan of $10 or more. Retirement plan issuers have until January 31st to mail out your 1099-R.

Form SSA-1099. You will receive this form if you received Social Security benefits. SSA-1099 income may or may not be taxable depending on your situation. The U.S. Social Security Administration has until January 31st to send out your SSA-1099.

Taxable alimony.

Income from the government. You’ll receive a Form 1099-G for any unemployment you’ve received.

HSA Distributions on Form 1099-SA.

Other miscellaneous income. Gambling winnings (sometimes on a W-2G), jury duty pay, prizes and awards, hobby income, and canceled debt (1099-C). Some of this income may be reported on a 1099-MISC and are reported on the Schedule 1.

Student Loan Interest Deduction. A Form 1098-E is issued by your student loan servicer for student loan interest paid that’s $600 or more.

Educator Expenses. If you're an eligible educator, you can deduct up to $300 of unreimbursed trade or business expenses

Taxable alimony received.

IRA Contributions/Savers Credit. Money contributed to a Traditional IRA may be fully or partially deductible from total income as an adjustment to income.

Simple/SEP Plans.

Education Credits. You may be eligible for the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC), which allows eligible students to claim a credit for qualifying educational expenses during their first four years of higher education, or the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC), which is a credit that can be used for qualified tuition and associated costs for eligible students enrolled in an eligible educational institution.

Childcare costs. You may be eligible for the child and dependent care credit if you paid expenses for the care of a qualifying dependent to enable you (and your spouse, if filing a joint return) to work or actively look for work.

Child Tax Credit/Credit for Other Dependents. If you have dependents, you may be eligible for the Child Tax Credit which is a tax break for families with qualifying children. If not eligible for the Child Tax Credit, you may be eligible for the Credit for Other Dependents.

Earned Income Credit. You may be eligible for the Earned Income Credit based on your adjusted gross income and number of qualifying dependents you have on your return.

Estimated Tax Payments. Payments made on income that was not subject to income tax withholding. These can include any extension payments or refunds applied from prior years.