Tax document checklist for clients (individual returns)

A clear checklist sent early in the season saves dozens of follow-up emails. Send it as soon as clients start receiving their year-end forms, and ask for “not applicable” answers so you know nothing is missing.

Income

W-2 forms from every employer
1099 forms1099-NEC and 1099-K (self-employment), 1099-INT and 1099-DIV (interest and dividends), 1099-B (sales of investments), 1099-R (retirement distributions), 1099-G (unemployment or state refunds).
SSA-1099 for Social Security benefits
K-1 forms from partnerships, S corporations or trusts
Records of other incomeRental income and expenses, cash income, foreign income.

Deductions and credits

Form 1098 — mortgage interest statement
Form 1098-T (tuition) and 1098-E (student loan interest)
Charitable donation receipts
Childcare provider names, tax IDs and amounts paid
Form 1095-A if covered through a health insurance marketplace
HSA and IRA forms (5498, 5498-SA, 1099-SA)
Estimated tax payments made during the yearDates and amounts, federal and state.

Questions and identity

Last year's tax return (new clients only)
Life changes this yearMarriage, divorce, new child, move, new job or business.
Bank account details for a direct-deposit refund
Photo ID for taxpayer and spouse, if your firm requires it

Tips to get every document on time

Send the checklist in January, when clients start receiving W-2s and 1099s, with a due date well before your internal deadline.
Mark which items are required and let clients answer “not applicable” for the rest, so you can tell missing from irrelevant.
Never collect tax documents by plain email: use a secure upload link.
This list is a general starting point, not tax advice — adapt it to your clients and your jurisdiction.

Send this checklist as a secure upload link

DocRally turns this checklist into one secure link for each client: no logins, uploads from the phone, automatic reminders until everything is in, and an AI check that flags the wrong document or period. The "Individual tax return" template is ready in every new account.