Get Ready For the 2026 Tax Season!

Tax season is officially here, and we want to help you feel prepared before the deadline sneaks up. The standard federal tax filing deadline is April 15. To stay ahead of the rush, it helps to gather your paperwork early and make sure you have everything ready to go.

Below is a simple checklist of common documents and information you may need when filing your taxes.

Tax Documentation Checklist

Personal Information & Documents

• Have these ready before you start:

  • Your Social Security number (or Tax ID number)

  • Bank routing and account numbers (if you’re receiving a refund via direct deposit or paying electronically)

  • If filing jointly: your spouse’s full name, Social Security number/Tax ID, and date of birth

  • If the IRS issued you (or anyone on your return) an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), keep it nearby

Dependent Information and Documents

• If you claim dependents, gather:

  • Dependents’ dates of birth and Social Security numbers/Tax IDs

  • Income information for dependents or others in your household (if applicable)

  • Childcare records, including:

    • The provider’s name

    • The provider’s Tax ID number

    • Total amount paid (helpful for child/dependent care credits)

Sources of Income 

Your income documents may include:

If You’re an Employee

• W-2 forms

If You’re Unemployed (or Were at Any Point)

• 1099-G (unemployment compensation)

If You’re Self-Employed / Own a Business

• Any 1099 forms you received (ex: 1099-NEC, 1099-K, etc.)

• Schedules K-1, if applicable

• Income records for payments not shown on a 1099 (invoices, deposits, payment reports, etc.)

• Estimated tax payment records (Form 1040-ES, if you made quarterly payments)

• A record of business expenses, such as:

  • Receipts

  • Credit card statements

  • Bank statements

  • Check registers

• Depreciation info for business assets (cost, purchase date, and date placed into service)

• If applicable: home office records (details below)

Deductions

Before claiming a new deduction, always check with your tax preparer to get their opinion. Many aspects of your business can be deducted from your taxes; you'll be surprised at how many there are. 

Before claiming a new deduction, it’s always a good idea to check with your tax preparer—especially if your business changed this year.

Many common business expenses may be deductible if they’re ordinary, necessary, and properly documented.

In-House Operations (Common Deductible Categories)

Here are examples of expenses many business owners track throughout the year:

• Marketing + advertising

• Website costs

• Business licenses and permits

• Cost of goods sold

• Equipment and software (yes, that includes Details!)

• Events (open houses, workshops, community events, etc.)

• Office/shop décor

• Business insurance

• Repairs and renovations

• Business loan interest

• Merchant processing fees

• Payroll, salaries, and benefits

• Attorney fees + bookkeeping/accounting

• Office supplies

• Rent and utilities

• Subcontractors / contract labor

Home Office Deduction (If You Work From Home)

If you worked from home, you may be eligible for a home office deduction if your space qualifies.

Two key requirements typically apply:

1. The space is used regularly for business

2. The space is used exclusively for business

To calculate your deduction, you’ll want to know:

• Total square footage of your home

• Square footage of your dedicated office space

Then divide your office square footage by your home square footage to determine the percentage of your home used for business.

Education, Travel, and Professional Development

If you invested in your growth this year, some costs may be deductible, including:

• Classes, workshops, and certifications related to your business

• Travel expenses for business purposes, such as:

  • Airfare

  • Lodging

  • Ground transportation

  • Public transportation

  • Work-related travel within your city (when applicable)

Meals (Business-Related)

Business meals may qualify for a deduction, typically up to 50%, depending on the circumstances and IRS guidelines.

Examples may include:

• Meals while traveling for business

• Meals with clients or business associates

• Certain employee meals provided for business reasons

(Always keep receipts and note who the meal was with and the business purpose.)

Retirement Contributions (Self-Employed or Not)

Saving for retirement can also come with tax advantages.

If you’re self-employed, you may have options like:

• Solo 401(k) (one-participant 401(k))

You may also be able to contribute to an:

• IRA, even if you don’t have an employer-sponsored plan

📌 Reminder: IRA contributions for the previous year are typically allowed up until the tax filing deadline (usually April 15).

Charitable Contributions

If you made charitable donations, they may be deductible if the organization is a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Be sure to keep:

• Donation receipts

• Confirmation letters for larger gifts

• Any documentation required for non-cash donations

Looking for real examples of common business deductions? TurboTax's guide to tax write-offs for self-employed people walks through 20 potential deductions that many small business owners overlook from home office costs to vehicle use. Read it here!

Payments Through Venmo, PayPal, and Other Apps

If you were paid through digital platforms, you may receive a tax form depending on how payments were processed and reported.

To stay organized, it helps to track:

• What payments were business-related

• What payments were personal

• Your monthly totals and deposit records

Before You File: Run a Quick Estimate! If you want a ballpark idea of what you might owe (or get back) before you file, Gusto has free tax calculators that make it easy to estimate! Check them out here.

Final Tip: Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

Tax season is stressful enough — gathering your documentation early can make filing faster, smoother, and less overwhelming.

If you’re unsure about what applies to your specific situation, a trusted tax professional can help you feel confident you’re filing correctly and taking advantage of the deductions you qualify for.