What documents do I need to file my taxes?

Written By Greg Jesse

Learn what documents you will need to file your taxes, or what you will need to bring to a VITA site appointment.

 

Whether you file your taxes online on your own, file your taxes in person at a VITA site, or file your taxes remotely, you will need: 

  • A photo ID, like a driver’s license or passport.

  • A Social Security (SSN) card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) letter for yourself and each person listed on the tax return, such as your spouse or your children.

  • Birth dates for you, your spouse, and dependents on the tax return. You may need the birth certificates of the children for whom you are claiming the Child Tax Credit (CTC).

  • Your W2s, 1099s, and other tax-related documents that show income you earned during the year. If you don’t have your W2(s), contact your employer to ask if/when the W2(s) were mailed. If you did not receive it/them, contact the IRS.

  • A checking or savings account number and bank routing number to receive your refund by direct deposit, or your mailing address to have a check mailed to you.

  • Prior year tax returns, if you have them. To find your tax information from last year, check the tax software you used, or ask the tax preparer you worked with last year for a copy of your prior return. If you cannot get a copy of your prior year's tax return, you can order a “tax transcript” from the IRS using their online tax record tool. The IRS can provide tax transcripts for the past three years.

  • Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), if you have one. Learn more about an IP PIN here.

  • Some free, secure tax filing websites may require you to have an email address.

If you went to school, owned a home, donated money, paid for childcare, or paid for health insurance, you may need some additional documents:

  • If you paid for child care, note the total amount paid to your childcare provider and their name, address, phone number, and Tax ID number. 

  • If you own a home or other property, make sure you have your mortgage interest statement and property tax statement. 

  • If you donated money or other items to tax-exempt institutions like nonprofits or charities, note how much or what you gave to each organization.

  • If you are in school, make sure you have your Form 1098-T and a record, like receipts, of any education-related expenses such as tuition, books, fees, and supplies.

  • If you bought health insurance on the marketplace, have your Form 1095-A. 

  • If you qualify for the Colorado Rent-Heat rebate, gather your rent receipts and heating bills. 

Remember, your tax situation may be different from last year. If this is not your first time filing taxes, it might be helpful to have a copy of your previous year’s tax return. If you are married and filing jointly, plan to have your spouse present to sign your tax forms before you file.

Have more questions or need more help? Check out our Get Help section or call 2-1-1 or visit 2-1-1 Colorado to get free help with tax-related questions.

This list is available in the following languages: Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Diné, English, Farsi, French, Karen, Karenni, Nepali, Pashto, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrinya/Tigrigna, Ukrainian, Vietnamese.

Greg Jesse