Question: What Income Tax-Related Documents Do I Need to Use Tax Software?
Find out what tax documentation you need to gather before you start up your tax software and begin entering data.
Note that you should receive documentation from employers, brokers, mortgage companies, etc. by the second week of February. Call the company to find out when you can expect to receive any tax documents that do not arrive in the U.S. mail by then.
Answer: The following is a list of typical income tax-related documentation you will need to have on hand to be able to prepare your taxes using your tax software:
- Last year's federal return and/or state returns if you are not going to be importing data from an income tax return prepared on your computer last year.
- Your social security number if you are not importing data from last year's tax software.
- Birth dates and social security numbers for dependents being claimed on your return.
- W-2s for all employment, including spouses if filing jointly.
- All 1099 statements (could be 1099-DIV, 1099-R, etc.).
- Year end investment statements.
- 1098 mortgage interest statements and real estate taxes paid documentation.
- Details on cash and non-cash charitable contributions you have made.
- Self-employment income and expenses.
- Documented unreimbursed job-related expenses.
- Medical and health care expenses.
