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:
W-2 forms
1099-G (unemployment compensation)
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.
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
If you worked from home, you may be eligible for a home office deduction if your space qualifies.
Two key requirements typically apply:
The space is used regularly for business
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.
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)
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.)
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).
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!
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.
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.