Tax Document Checklist Generator

Which tax documents a return needs depends on the year. Answer 10 yes-or-no questions and the list below grows with each yes, one section per situation, from the documents every return needs to rentals, crypto or self-employment.

Free · No account needed · Works in your browser. Export before leaving; entries are not saved.

Your tax year
  • Did you work as an employee and get a W-2?
  • Are you married and filing a joint return?
  • Do you have children or other dependents?
  • Did you have self-employment income, such as freelance, contract or gig work?
  • Do you own a property you rent out?
  • Do you own the home you live in?
  • Do you have a brokerage account, or did you sell stocks, funds or crypto?
  • Did you put money into an IRA or take money out of an IRA or 401(k)?
  • Did you have Marketplace health insurance or an HSA?
  • Did you or a dependent pay college tuition or have student loans?

Your checklist

5 documents

Every return

Send this list to your client

DokuTrak turns this checklist into one upload request. Your client uploads each document against its line, with no account, and reminders go out until everything is in.

Send this list to your client

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How to use it

  1. Start with the documents every return needs: they are listed before you answer.
  2. Answer each question. A yes adds the documents for that situation, and a line two situations share is listed once.
  3. Tick each document as it arrives, or copy the list into an email.
  4. Save it as a PDF, or as a Word file to edit.

What the checklist covers

The common documents for a US individual return (Form 1040) in each situation, taken from our checklists by situation, which cite the IRS for each line. It does not replace your preparer’s own organizer, and a business return (Forms 1065, 1120 or 1120-S) needs more. Your answers stay in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.

Where each line comes from

Each section is one of our tax document checklists by situation, which explain why each document is needed and cite the IRS publication behind it. For one complete list for every client, see the tax document checklist.

Questions about this tool

What tax documents do I need to file?

Every return needs your Social Security number or ITIN, those of your spouse and dependents, last year’s return and your bank details for the refund. Then come the forms for your income (W-2, 1099s) and for your deductions and credits (1098, 1098-T, 1095-A), which depend on your year: the questions above pick them.

Is this the same as the tax document checklist article?

No. The tax document checklist article is one full list for every client. This generator builds a shorter list from your answers, so you see only the documents that apply to you.

Can a tax preparer send this list to a client?

Yes. Answer the questions for the client, then copy the list or save the PDF. Or send it as a DokuTrak upload request: the client uploads each document against its line, with no account.

Is it free?

Yes. The checklist, the copy and the PDF need nothing. The Word file asks for your email address, and we email you a link back to the generator.