What Documents Do You Need to File Your Personal Taxes?

One of the biggest sources of stress during tax season is not knowing what documents you need to file your personal taxes. Gathering the right paperwork ahead of time saves you time, reduces errors, and can even increase your refund. At London’s Tax Services LLC in Westchester/Rockland County, we work with individuals every year to make sure nothing gets left behind. Here’s your complete checklist.

Personal Identification

Before anything else, you’ll need basic identification documents for yourself and any dependents:

• Social Security Numbers (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for you, your spouse, and all dependents
• Date of birth for all individuals listed on the return
• Prior year’s tax return (helpful for reference and continuity)

Income Documents

You’ll need to report all sources of income earned during the tax year:

• W-2 forms from all employers
• 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC if you did freelance, contract, or gig work
• 1099-INT and 1099-DIV for interest and dividends from bank accounts or investments
• 1099-R for retirement account distributions
• SSA-1099 if you received Social Security benefits
• Rental income records if you own rental property
• Alimony received (for divorces finalized before 2019)

Deduction and Credit Documents

Deductions reduce your taxable income. Gather these to make sure you don’t leave money on the table:

• Mortgage interest statement (Form 1098)
• Property tax records
• Charitable donation receipts
• Medical and dental expense records (if itemizing)
• Student loan interest statement (Form 1098-E)
• Childcare provider name, address, and Tax ID for the Child and Dependent Care Credit
• Form 1098-T for education credits (American Opportunity or Lifetime Learning Credit)

Health Insurance Information

If you purchased health insurance through the Marketplace, you’ll receive Form 1095-A, which is required to reconcile your premium tax credit. Employer-provided insurance information may also be needed.

Banking Information for Direct Deposit

To receive your refund quickly, have your bank account number and routing number on hand so your refund can be deposited directly.

Let Us Handle the Rest

London’s Tax Services provides both an Individual Tax Checklist and a Business Tax Checklist on our website to help you arrive fully prepared. Our experienced team will guide you through the process, answer your questions, and ensure every deduction is captured.

Ready to get started? Contact London’s Tax Services LLC at (646) 917-7714 or visit londonstaxservices.com to schedule your free consultation today. Serving Westchester, Rockland County, and the greater New York area.