A great starting point is to make sure you have collected all the documents you will need for your tax prep. Here is a list of the main documents you will usually need to start with. (It is a basic list, not all-inclusive.)

Personal Information

• SSN and birthdates for you, your spouse, and dependents.
• Copies of last year’s return (not necessary, but helpful)
• Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit

Income Information

• W-2s
• 1099-C
• 1099-G
• 1099-MISC
• 1099-R, Form 860
• 1099-S
• 1099-INT, -DIV, -B, or K-1s for investment or interest income
• SSA-1099
• Alimony received
• Business for farming income
• Rental property income
• Prior year installment sale information – Forms 6252, principal and interest collected during the
  year, SSN and address for payer
• Miscellaneous income: jury duty, gambling winnings, Medical Savings Account, scholarships, etc

Income Adjustments

• 1098-E
• 1098-T
• For teachers: receipts for classroom expenses paid
• Records for IRA contributions
• Receipts for energy-efficient home improvements
• Medical Savings Account contributions
• Self-employed health insurance payments
• Moving expenses
• Alimony paid
• Keogh, SEP, SIMPLE, and other self-employed pension plans

If you want to itemize deductions:

Deductions and Credits

• Child care costs
• Education costs
• Adoption costs
• Forms 1098
• Investment interest expenses
• Charitable donations
• Medical and dental expenses
• Casualty and theft losses
• Other miscellaneous tax deductions: union dues; unreimbursed employee
  expenses
• Record of home business expenses
• Rental property expenses

Taxes Paid

• State and local income taxes
• Real estate taxes
• Personal property
• Vehicle license fees based on value of vehicle

Other info

• Estimated tax payments made during the year (if self-employed)
• Prior-year refund applied to current year and/or any amount paid with an extension to file
• Foreign bank account info