Gather Tax Documents
1-2 hoursCollect W-2s, 1099s, mortgage interest (1098), student loan interest, HSA contributions, and charitable receipts.
Field context
This workflow is part of 6 niche fields
Free step-by-step tax filing for W-2 employees. Plan tax filing with calculators and checklists covering gather tax documents, estimate tax liability.
Collect W-2s, 1099s, mortgage interest (1098), student loan interest, HSA contributions, and charitable receipts.
Use last year's return and current income to estimate whether you owe or will receive a refund before filing.
Decide between IRS Free File, tax software (TurboTax, FreeTaxUSA), or a CPA based on complexity and income.
E-file by April 15 (or request extension to October 15), pay any balance due, and retain records for 3-7 years.
Key dates for individual filers.
| Date | Event | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 31 | W-2/1099 deadline | Gather all forms |
| Apr 15 | Filing deadline | File or pay estimated penalty |
| Oct 15 | Extension deadline | File if extension granted |
A large refund means you gave the IRS an interest-free loan — adjust W-4 to keep more per paycheck.
The IRS receives copies of your W-2s and 1099s — unreported income triggers automated matching notices.
Check IRS.gov/FreeFile before paying for software — many taxpayers qualify for completely free filing.