Key Takeaways
- Bring valid government photo IDs and Social Security cards (or ITINs) for every person listed on your return to verify identities and prevent fraud.
- Collect all W-2s and 1099s, including the new Form 1099-DA for any digital asset or cryptocurrency activity.
- Provide monthly tip logs and pay stubs showing “time-and-a-half” pay to claim the new tax deductions for qualified tips and overtime.
- Include your year-end interest statement and Vehicle Identification Number (IN) to claim the $10,000 deduction for new U.S.-assembled car loans.
- Gather records of quarterly estimated payments, 1099-K forms from payment apps, and detailed mileage logs for business-use vehicles.
- Compile receipts for charitable gifts, medical expenses, and 1098 forms for mortgage interest to ensure you maximize your potential savings.
Here it is… your master “what do I need to file my taxes this year” checklist for 2026.
And it’s especially important to look over this list with a critical eye this year before you come in for your tax appointment. The OBBBA added some new items to the list, including documents to claim deductions for qualified tips and overtime, and the new car loan interest deduction, among others.
Now, this list is pretty long. And that’s on purpose, so the FasTax Inc. team has everything we need to 1) get your taxes filed accurately, 2) minimize back-and-forth questions, and 3) uncover every possible tax savings opportunity.
So, take note of what applies to you, and pass on what doesn’t (or if you’re not sure, include it in your documentation pile anyway).
Let’s jump right in.
Personal Information & Identification
– Social Security Numbers for you, your spouse, and all children/dependents.
Note: Use ITIN or ATIN for those not eligible for an SSN.
– Dates of birth for everyone listed on the return.
– Valid government-issued photo IDs for you and your spouse.
– IRS Identity Protection PIN, if issued (mandatory for e-filing).
– List of all addresses lived in during 2024 and 2025.
– Dependent Details: Relationship type and records of any income they earned.
– Last year’s federal and state returns.
– Direct deposit bank account and routing numbers for your refund.
Employment & Income
– All W-2 forms for 2025 wages
– Daily tip logs, POS reports, or W-2 Box 7 details
– Pay stubs or employer statements showing “time-and-a-half” pay
– 1099-K for payment card and third-party network transactions (PayPal, Venmo, etc.)
– 1099-G for unemployment compensation or state/local tax refunds
– 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC for rent, prizes, awards, or non-employee compensation
– K-1 Forms for partnership, trust, and S-Corp income
– W-2G for gambling winnings (and logs of losses if you plan to itemize)
– Records for jury duty pay
– Records for scholarships
Financial Assets & Investment Income
– 1099-INT and 1099-OID for interest income
– 1099-DIV for dividend and distribution income
– 1099-B for proceeds from broker transactions
– Form 1099-DA for digital asset (crypto/NFT) activity
– Cryptocurrency items, including records of coin-to-coin trades, cost basis records, income activities, wallet-to-wallet transfers, and DeFi and NFT activity
– Basis and acquisition dates for all property sold to determine capital gains/losses
Homeowner & Renter Information
– Form 1098 for mortgage interest and real estate taxes paid
– Interest paid on second homes
– Form 1099-S and settlement/closing statements from real estate sales
– Personal property tax records (e.g., vehicle license fees)
– Total rent paid during 2025 (for state credits)
– Records of property damage, insurance claims, or FEMA assistance
Financial Liabilities, Expenses & Credits
– Statement of car loan interest paid (up to $10,000) on a loan for a new, domestic-assembled personal vehicle
– Form 1098-E for student loan interest paid
– Early withdrawal penalties on CDs or retirement funds
– Receipts and acknowledgments for all charitable donations
– Health insurance forms 1095-A, 1095-B, and 1095-C
– Form 1099-SA for distributions from Health Savings (HSA) or Medical Savings (MSA) accounts
– Unreimbursed medical/dental expenses (only deductible if over 7.5% of AGI)
– Form 1098-T for education tuition and fees
– Amount paid for childcare plus provider’s name, address, and Tax ID
– Adoption records for qualified expenses (legal, medical, etc.)
Self-Employment (SE) & Business Data
– Records of all quarterly SE estimated tax payments made in 2025
– Business net income
– Roth election records
– Form 5305-SEP (for SEP-IRAs) or Adoption Agreement (for Solo 401(k)s)
– Form 5500-EZ (Solo 401(k) only)
– Proof of 2025 retirement plan contributions
– Details of any retirement contributions made January 1-April 15, 2026
– Premium payment records for SE health insurance
– Receipts for rent, utilities, equipment, and supplies.
– Auto loan/lease records and mileage logs for business vehicles
– Records of farm income subsidies (1099-G) and sales (grain, livestock, etc.).
Final thoughts
Yes, this is a big list, but the IRS wants proof of everything (and you’ll want it too in case they reject a claim or want to audit you in the future). The more data we have, the better chance we have of uncovering savings and getting your tax return filed quickly and accurately. Both of which become harder to accomplish the longer you wait to file.
So secure your spot on my calendar early:
calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/appointments/schedules/aczssz0-_jz2j6jxzjg1xtdpbeoy8xggfpkf
FAQs
“Did the 1099-K reporting threshold change again?”
Yes. For the 2025 tax year, the OBBBA officially returned the threshold to over $20,000 and more than 200 transactions. You likely won’t receive a form for smaller Hampton Roads side-gigs or casual sales this year, but remember that all business income must still be reported.
“Can I deduct the full cost of new business equipment?”
The OBBBA permanently restored 100% bonus depreciation for qualifying equipment and machinery placed in service after January 19, 2025. This allows you to deduct the entire purchase price in year one rather than spreading it out over several years.
“What is the new ‘No Tax on Tips’ deduction?”
Eligible workers in tipped occupations (like servers or stylists) can now deduct up to $25,000 of qualified tips from their federal income tax. When asking yourself, “What do I need to file my taxes this year?” don’t forget to provide documentation like a daily tip log, POS report, or the “Social Security Tips” listed in Box 7 of your W-2.
“What do I need to file my taxes this year to get the tax break for working overtime?”
For non-exempt hourly workers, you can deduct the “half” portion of time-and-a-half pay, up to $12,500 ($25,000 for joint filers). You will need year-end pay stubs or a statement from your Columbus One employer that breaks down your regular versus overtime pay, as most 2025 W-2s will not have a separate box for this yet.
“How much can I deduct for state and local taxes (SALT) now?”
The SALT deduction cap has increased significantly from $10,000 to $40,000 for 2025. This higher limit allows many more taxpayers in high-tax states to itemize their deductions rather than taking the standard deduction.
“Are there credits for providing childcare to my employees?”
Yes. For the 2025 tax year, small businesses can claim a credit of up to $150,000. This credit covers 25% of qualified childcare expenses and 10% of qualified childcare resource and referral expenditures.