You will need to have some important documents ready before you can file your taxes. This table will help you organize some basic materials that every self-employed person should have when filing taxes.
Note: If you are filing jointly with a spouse or if you have dependents, you will need their information as well.
☐ ID/Driver’s License
☐ Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
☐ Bank account & routing number for direct deposit of a tax refund
☐ Bank & credit card statements for any account used to do business
☐ Previous year’s tax return, if available
☐ Income tracker (Printable version) or bookkeeping software, if you use one
☐ 1099, 1099-K, 1099 MISC, and 1099-NEC records for all self-employed work completed
☐ W2 forms if you worked as a salaried employee in addition to your self-employed work
☐ Invoices, receipts, or any other records of income not reported on 1099, including:
☐ Payment service reports (e.g., Square, Shopify, etc.)
☐ App platform reports (e.g., Uber, Taskrabbit, Wag, StyleSeat, etc.)
☐ Expense tracker (Printable version) or bookkeeping software, if you use one
☐ Other records of expenses related to your self-employment, including receipts, credit card and/or bank statements, or health insurance premiums
☐ Mileage log (Printable version), if you use your vehicle for activities related to your self-employment
☐ Records of expenses related to you home office, if you have one. This could be rent, utilities, maintenance, and square footage
☐ Records of federal or state quarterly estimated tax payments (if you’ve paid them in the past year)
☐ Records related to personal deductions, including childcare expenses (e.g., daycare, babysitter, some summer camps), educational expenses (e.g., college tuition, job skills course), etc.
If you have employees:
☐ Any W-2 or 1099 forms you issued
☐ Documents confirming any benefits, pensions, or profit-sharing programs you have
This page was updated 10/2023.