What do you need to file your taxes?
(NewsNation) — The Internal Revenue Service has started processing 2024 tax returns, and taxpayers have until April 15 to submit theirs without a penalty or authorized extension.
In order to file your taxes, you will need a host of documents, including personal information and income. Here is what you need, according to the IRS.
Tax return FAQ: What you should know to file your taxes
Personal information:
Social security number or individual tax ID number
Bank account and routing numbers if using direct deposit for refunds
Adjusted gross income
Refund amount from previous tax return
Current address
Self-select PIN if you e-filed last year
IP PIN if you were a victim of identity theft
Income:
Paycheck stubs
W-2 form
Bank statements or documents from other payment apps or online marketplaces
Checks addressed to you
Unemployment payments
If you didn't get a W-2, you may have received a 1099 form, which shows other types of income. Common types include a 1099-K for payments received through online marketplaces such as PayPal; a 1099-G for government payments such as unemployment benefits; a 1099-NEC for contractor or freelance work; and a SSA-1099 for Social Security benefits.
Credits or deductions:
You will need to provide certain documents to take advantage of tax credits.
Child care or dependent care expenses
Home mortgage and property tax records
Charitable donations
Health savings account or flexible spending account contributions
Health care expenses
Retirement contributions
Education expenses (for students and teachers)
What to know about filing taxes in multiple states
Intuit TurboTax, a tax preparation company, recommends submitting your return online and setting up direct deposit for refunds. Filing online also allows you to upload electronic W-2s, which auto-populate information, saving you time.
The IRS generally issues refunds within 21 days of accepting your online return.
'The average refund was close to $3,000 last year for a lot of people. That's the biggest check they get all year, so definitely go online and file,' Lisa Greene-Lewis, certified public accountant and TurboTax tax expert, told NewsNation. 'I would gather everything all in one place.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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