According to one survey, 42% of Americans would rather go to the dentist than file their taxes.1 Tax season might not be your favorite time of the year, but a little preparation can help make the tax filing process as smooth and painless as possible.
Review last year’s tax return. Not everything will stay the same, but checking last year’s return can reveal information you might need this year. If you use an accountant or professional tax preparer, you may receive a checklist or questionnaire to help you get organized.
Think about recent life events. During 2024, did you tie (or untie) the knot, grow your family, buy or sell a home, start a job, send a child to college, retire, receive an inheritance, or have high health-care costs? These are just some of the common events that might affect your tax return, including the filing status you choose, the amount of income or expenses you have, or tax deductions and credits you might be entitled to.
Gather supporting documents. You’ll automatically receive some tax documents and statements electronically or by mail in January or February. You may need to locate others yourself.
Depending on your situation and whether you itemize deductions or take the standard deduction, supporting documents may include:
- W-2 forms showing wages from your employers
- 1099 forms that report other types of income you received, including interest from banks and brokers, dividends and distributions, retirement plan or health savings account (HSA) distributions, Social Security benefits, and self-employment income
- 1098 forms for mortgage interest, property taxes, or education-related payments
- Receipts or statements for child-care or medical costs
- Receipts for donations to charity
Collect supporting documents in one place, and make a list of information you’re missing so that you can check it off the list once you have it.
Consider making IRA or HSA contributions. If you’re eligible, you can contribute to a traditional IRA (deductible or not), Roth IRA, or an HSA for 2024 up until the tax filing deadline, as long as you haven’t already reached the contribution limit for the year.
