What Documents Should I Gather for My 2025 Tax Return?

Did you earn wages as an employee?

• If so, collect Form(s) W-2, including all copies (i.e., showing all boxes, states, localities, etc.).

Did you receive or recognize equity compensation (including Section 83(b) elections)?

• If so, collect Form(s) 3921 and/or 3922, and be mindful of any adjustments that may be needed (e.g., cost basis, employee discounts, holding period requirements, etc.).

Did you earn income as a self-employed individual?

• If so, collect Form(s) 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, 1099-K, etc., and gather documentation of all income and expenses.

Did you have taxable investment accounts and/or interest-bearing accounts?

• If so, collect Form(s) 1099-B, 1099-DIV, 1099-INT, 1099 Consolidated or Composite, “Corrected 1099s”, etc. Verify that your cost basis and holding period details for investment sales are shown correctly on your tax forms.

Did you make any withdrawals from a retirement plan or insurance policy (including rollovers, Roth conversions, etc.)?

• If so, collect Form(s) 1099-R and ensure your tax preparer is aware of any special circumstances (e.g., after-tax basis, rollovers, penalty exceptions for early withdrawals, charitable donations, etc.).

Did you receive any sources of retirement income (e.g., pension, annuity, Social Security, Railroad Retirement Board, etc.)?

• If so, collect Form(s) 1099-R, SSA-1099, RRB-1099, etc.

Did you sell your home (or other real estate)?

• If so, gather Form(s) 1099-S (if applicable) and documentation of your cost basis (e.g., purchase and sale statements, previous improvements, depreciation, etc.) and be mindful of any exclusions that may apply based on your ownership and usage of the property.

Did you receive alimony (excluding child support, property settlements, etc.) from a divorce finalized before 01/01/2019?

• If so, gather any relevant details (e.g., alimony received, date of agreement, etc.) and provide the alimony payer with your Social Security number.

Did you receive any other sources of income (e.g., income from IRS Schedule 1 Part 1)?

• If so, gather any tax forms and/or other details that may apply.

• If so, gather documentation of all deductible business expenses (including home office use, vehicle use, health insurance premiums, long-term care premiums, etc.) relating to your business income and any applicable QBI deduction.

• If so, gather documentation of any contributions you’ve made. Be mindful of any deadlines to remove excess contributions (if applicable) in order to avoid penalties.

• If so, gather details regarding any donations, including valuation details (for gifts of non-cash property).

• If so, gather any relevant details (e.g., amounts paid, insurance or HSA/FSA reimbursements, etc.), but be mindful of limitations (i.e., 7.5% AGI floor) on claiming these deductions.

• If so, gather details on the amounts paid to help with claiming the SALT deduction, subject to applicable limits under current law.

• If so, make sure to gather any pertinent information (e.g., year-end pay stubs, documented tips, etc.) that may be relevant for tax reporting or potential exclusions, if applicable.

• If so, gather Form(s) 1098 and any other relevant documentation (interest paid, points paid, origination dates, balances, etc.).

• If so, gather any pertinent info (e.g., a loan statement showing interest paid, VIN, etc.) that may be needed to determine eligibility for this deduction, if applicable.

• If so, collect Form(s) 1098-E or statements showing interest paid.

• If so, gather any relevant details (e.g., alimony paid, date of agreement, etc.) and make sure you have the alimony recipient’s Social Security number.

• If so, gather relevant details to substantiate your deductions.

• If so, gather documentation to establish dependency status (e.g., age, relationship, support, custody agreements, Form(s) 8332, etc.) and substantiate costs paid (e.g., childcare, education, adoption expenses, etc.).

• If so, gather Form(s) 1098-T, Form(s) 1099-Q (for 529 distributions), receipts, etc.

• If so, collect any relevant documentation (e.g., receipts, manufacturer certifications, etc.).

• If so, gather Form(s) 1095-A. Be mindful of any premium tax credits you may owe back (if your income was higher than what you reported to the marketplace initially), and consider strategies that may reduce your MAGI (e.g., deductible IRA contributions, etc.).

• If so, gather documentation of all payments (e.g., amounts, dates paid, whose name payments were made in, etc.).

• If so, gather relevant details to substantiate your credits.

Did you make a gift in excess of the annual gift exclusion amount for 2025 ($19,000)?

• If so, be mindful of any gift tax reporting requirements that may apply (e.g., Form 709), as well as any elections that may reduce your gift tax liability (e.g., gift-splitting, 529 5-year averaging, etc.).

Did you make Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from your IRA?

• If so, be mindful that Form(s) 1099-R will report the full IRA distribution (including QCDs), but the QCD amount may be excluded from taxable income on Form 1040, line 4b (if eligible).

Did you make any non-deductible Traditional IRA contributions (i.e., for Backdoor Roth purposes) this year?

• If so, ensure that all contributions (i.e., your basis) are properly reported (for current and previous tax years), and document the value of any Traditional IRAs as of the end of the year.

Do you own a rental property?

• If so, review your property value (as compared to land value) to determine any depreciation deductions you may be able to claim. Gather details of your time spent on rental activities (e.g., personal vs. rental usage) as well as details regarding any rental income and/or expenses.

Do you co-own a business (or solely own a business taxed as an S-Corporation)?

• If so, be mindful of any additional business tax returns (e.g., Form(s) 1120-S, 1065, etc.) that may need to be finalized before you can finalize your personal tax filings, and be prepared to request a tax filing extension if necessary.

Do you have a Solo 401(k), and was the balance more than $250,000 as of 12/31/2025?

• If so, you may be required to file Form 5500-EZ by 07/31/2026 (for calendar year plans).