Here’s what HIVE AI had to say about “What documents and records should I gather throughout 2025 so that filing my 2025 return in 2026 is fast and accurate?”:
What to gather during 2025 (tax year 2025) so your 2026 filing is fast and accurate
Identity, prior-year, and “account” items
- Social Security number (or ITIN) for you and everyone on your return. 1
- A copy of your 2024 return (filed in 2025), especially:
- prior-year AGI and exact refund amount (commonly used to e-file and/or verify identity). 1
- Bank routing/account numbers for direct deposit or electronic payments. 1
- Your IP PIN (if you have one) and, if relevant, last year’s self-select PIN. 1
Income documents (collect each as you receive it; most arrive in Jan–Feb 2026)
Keep every year-end income statement that supports what you report, including:
- W-2 (and W-2c if corrected).
- 1099 series (common examples: 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-G, 1099-NEC, 1099-K, 1099-R).
- W-2G (gambling winnings), if applicable. 1 6
Also retain underlying records that support income reporting, including records of virtual currency transactions. 2
Expense/credit/deduction support (receipts, statements, and “proof”)
Maintain receipts, canceled checks, and other documentation that supports any income, deduction, or credit you claim. 7 3
Examples that commonly matter for individuals:
- Mortgage interest and real estate tax statements (often Form 1098).
- Student loan interest (Form 1098-E).
- Tuition statements (Form 1098-T).
- Health Insurance Marketplace statement (Form 1095-A), if applicable. 4
If you claim credits tied to a child/dependent (for example, EITC, Child Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit), keep documents you relied on to determine eligibility and compute the credit (for example, proof of residency and other eligibility facts). 5
Estimated tax and withholding proof
- Pay stubs / pension statements showing federal withholding.
- Proof of any estimated tax payments you make during 2025 (confirmation numbers, bank records, EFTPS records, etc.). (No specific IRS doc in your packet lists the exact receipts, but keeping payment confirmations is standard substantiation practice.)
Records for property sales, investments, and basis
If you sell or dispose of property (including stocks/crypto/real estate), keep purchase and improvement records so you can substantiate basis and compute gain/loss; the IRS specifically notes you must keep records relating to property you dispose of or sell to figure basis. 7
If you have self-employment or a small business
Maintain a system (paper or electronic) that clearly supports income and expenses, and keep the underlying source documents (invoices, receipts, bank/merchant statements, mileage logs, etc.). The IRS emphasizes records should confirm income and expenses and that electronic records must meet the same requirements as paper records. 8 7
How long to keep what you gather (so you don’t throw away something you’ll need)
- General rule: keep records that support items on your return until the period of limitations for that return expires. 9
- Common retention periods called out by IRS guidance include:
- 3 years for most situations.
- 6 years if you omit more than 25% of gross income.
- 7 years for certain loss claims (for example worthless securities/bad debt).
- Indefinitely if you don’t file or file fraudulently.
- Employment tax records: at least 4 years after the tax is due or paid (whichever is later). 9
Helpful IRS “catch-up” sources if a form goes missing
- IRS “Gather your documents” checklist (good master list for most individual filers). 1
- Your IRS Individual Online Account may show certain information return documents as the IRS receives them (helpful for confirming what was filed to your SSN). 4
Sources
1 – IRS.gov – Gather your documents 📄 Summarize
2 – IRS – Publication 5349 Year-Round Tax Planning is for Everyone 📄 Summarize
3 – Notice 2025-69 📄 Summarize
4 – IRS.gov – Online account for individuals – Frequently asked questions 📄 Summarize
5 – IRS.gov – Instructions for Form 8867 (11/2024) 📄 Summarize
6 – Gathering records is the first step of tax preparation
7 – Good tax planning includes good recordkeeping
8 – Good recordkeeping is just good business
9 – How long should I keep records?
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