Form 1040 is the grand finale of your tax year—summarizing income, deductions, credits, and payments into one all-important number: your refund or balance due. Arrive prepared, and you’ll breeze through filing. Miss a single document, and audits or delays could follow. Here’s a definitive 1040 checklist, plus pro tips from Herij Taxes.
Income Documents
- W-2s from every employer
- 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, 1099-K for freelancing, gig work, or platform sales
- 1099-INT/1099-DIV for bank interest and dividends
- 1099-B or consolidated brokerage statement for stock sales
- SSA-1099 or RRB-1099 (Social Security or Railroad Retirement)
- K-1s from partnerships, S-Corps, or trusts
Adjustment & Deduction Records
- Student-loan interest (Form 1098-E)
- HSA or MSA contributions (Form 5498-SA)
- IRA contributions (Form 5498)
- Educator expenses, alimony paid, or self-employed health insurance premiums
Itemized Deduction Support
- Mortgage interest (Form 1098)
- Property-tax statements
- Charitable donations (cash + non-cash)
- Medical bills that exceed 7.5 % of AGI
- State and local income or sales tax paid
Credits & Dependents
- Child Tax Credit: Social Security numbers for kids
- Dependent care expenses and provider EIN
- Education credits: Form 1098-T and related receipts
- Energy-efficient home improvements (Form 5695)
Identity Protection
- IP PIN (if the IRS issued one)
- Prior-year AGI or self-select PIN for e-filing
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Omitting a 1099-K for PayPal or CashApp income—triggers CP2000 notices.
- Forgetting 1095-A health-insurance marketplace forms—delays refunds.
- Incorrect dependent Social Security numbers—can freeze credits.
How Herij Taxes Streamlines Your 1040
Our encrypted portal prompts you for every required doc, cross-checks totals against IRS transcripts, and flags missing items before filing.
Plus, our dual-review process lowers audit risk. 
Ready for a seamless 1040 experience? Book your slot today—deadlines wait for no one.