What Documents Do You Need to File Taxes? Your 2026 Tax Document Checklist
Are you filing your taxes for the first time? Are you unsure whether the envelope on your counter contains documents the IRS needs? Starting your tax return without the right documents may lead to delays or a rejected submission if you miss information.
For most first-time filers, there are four essential items: your Social Security number, your prior year's Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), a W-2 form from each employer, and a 1099 form for any income that wasn't classified as wages. Once you have these documents, you can complete your federal tax return in one sitting.
What You Need to File Taxes Online
When filing your taxes, it's best to get organized by creating a comprehensive checklist in advance. There are many forms and documents required when filing your taxes and it's best not to wait until the 11th hour to start locating them.
While opting to e-file your taxes can take a lot of guesswork out of the tax filing process, we recommend creating a personal tax checklist regardless of your preferred filing method. From required personal information to tax forms and documents, here's what you'll need before you start to file.
Tax Documents Required to File Taxes Online
W-2 Form
The W-2 form is one of the most important tax documents required for tax filing. The Federal Wage and Tax Statement form, otherwise known as a W-2, is issued to the taxpayer from their employer.
The W-2 will state how much they were paid and how much was withheld during the last year. This information is almost always required for anyone filing their taxes. If you are filing jointly with a spouse, their W-2s must be used as well.
1099 Form
The next form required when filing your taxes is a 1099. This form is used to report any other types of income which are not considered wages, salaries, or tips.
Often this includes scholarships and grants, pensions, annuities, retirement plans and insurance contracts. If you did contract or freelance work, that income should be listed on Form 1099-NEC.
These forms may be mailed out to the taxpayer by a government agency, contracting company, a health insurance provider, financial institution as well as other entities who may have distributed proceeds to the taxpayer throughout the year.
Types of 1099 Forms
| 1099 - Type | Description |
|---|---|
| 1099-A | Acquisition of (or Abandonment of) Secured Property |
| 1099-B | Proceeds from Broker |
| 1099-C | Cancellation of Debt |
| 1099-CAP | Changes in Corporate Control (or Changes in Capital Structure) |
| 1099-DA | Digital Asset Proceeds From Broker Transactions |
| 1099-DIV | Dividends |
| 1099-G | Payment from The Government |
| 1099-H | Health Insurance Payment |
| 1099-INT | Earned Interest |
| 1099-LS | Reportable Life Insurance Sale |
| 1099-LTC | Long Term Care Benefit |
| 1099-MISC | Miscellaneous |
| 1099-NEC | Contract or freelance Income |
| 1099-OID | Original Issue Discount |
| 1099-PATR | Distributions Received from Cooperatives |
| 1099-Q | Education Program Payment |
| 1099-R | Pension, Annuity or Retirement Plan Payment |
| 1099-S | Real Estate Proceeds |
| 1099-SA | HSA Payments |
| 1099-SB | Seller's Investment in Life Insurance Contract |
| SSA - 1099 | Social Security Payments (SSA-1042S For Non-US Residents) |
| RRB - 1099 | Railroad Retirement Board Payment (RRB-1042S For Non-US Residents) |
| W - 2G | Gambling Winnings |
1098 Form
The 1098 form is used to report the amount of deductible interest paid during the tax year (such as mortgage-related interest). This is particularly important because what it reports represents potential deductions that can reduce your taxable income. This form comes in three common supplemental variations.
3 Types of 1098 Forms
| 1098 - Type | Description |
|---|---|
| 1098-C | Reports Donations of Motor Vehicles, including Boats and Airplanes |
| 1098-E | Reports the Interest Paid on Student Loans |
| 1098-T | Detailing Tuition and Education-Related Fees Paid During the Year |
What Was the 1040EZ
The IRS retired Form 1040EZ after the 2017 tax year. Whether your return is a single W-2 or a dozen documents, you'll now file Form 1040.
What changes is the schedules attached to it and those are driven by the documents you gathered above.
What to Do If You're Missing Tax Documents
If you're missing tax documents, here are some steps you can take to each type of issue:
What to Do If You're Missing W-2
Employers are required by law to keep copies of your W-2 forms and all other payroll information for at least four years. Some employers may charge a small fee for a second form.
What to Do If You're Missing Form 1099
You may be able to obtain a missing 1099-form from your bank via download or by calling their customer service number to get a new 1099-INT mailed to you.
Additionally, investment brokers can mail you copies of your Form 1099-B and 1099-DIV to report stock trading and dividend activity. If you're missing a 1099-NEC form, formerly 1099-MISC, contact your clients for a new copy.
How to Request Missing Tax Documents From the IRS
Sign in to your IRS Individual Online Account to view, print or download your wage and income transcript, the one with your W-2 and 1099 data on it. No account? Request it by mail (5–10 calendar days), call 800-908-9946, or mail or fax Form 4506-T.
If you only need a tax return transcript, Form 4506-T-EZ is faster.
Personal Information Required to File Taxes Online
- Identification Information: Your Social Security number, spouse's Social Security number (if married) and Social Security numbers for any dependents.
- Primary Income Information: Regular wages/salary from employers you (and your spouse, if filing a joint return) worked for during the past tax year.
- Investment Income Information: Investment income information including: interest income, dividend income, proceeds from the sale of bonds or stocks, and income from foreign investments.
- Secondary Income Information: Business income (accounting records for any business that you own), unemployment income, Rental property income and/or Social Security benefits.
- Miscellaneous Income Information: Income earned from jury duty, lottery and gambling winnings, prizes and awards and distributions from medical savings accounts.
- Personal Expenses: Business expenses, child care expenses, gambling losses, medical expenses, moving expenses, Personal property tax, such as car registration paid, real estate tax bills.
Why Choose E-file.com?
Faster & Easier Than Paper Filing
Filing online is the fastest way to file your tax return. Online tax filing helps you get your tax refund much quicker than filling out paper forms and mailing them through the post office.
Speedy Confirmation from IRS
With online filing, you will usually receive an acknowledgment that the IRS has received your return within 24-48 hours. You will also receive confirmation once the return is accepted. If your return is rejected instead, see common IRS rejection codes and how to fix them.