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The Ultimate Tax Prep Checklist

February 4 // 46 Comments // 2 Minute Read

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Are you ready for tax season? Keep your documents in order with this easy-to-use Tax Preparation Checklist. Whether you file your own, or use a CPA, this handy cheat sheet will make sure you remember everything!

 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

Keep your documents in order with this easy-to-use tax preparation checklist. Your CPA will thank you when you don't come in with a shoebox full of unorganized receipts. :) And if you're doing your taxes yourself, this will make the process so much easier! #taxes #taxesprep #taxeshelp #taxeschecklist #freetaxeschecklist

Tax season is here, and it always amazes me how not prepared I am.

You would think that someone who loves being organized would have all her tax ducks in a row. And quacking like the good little ducks they are.

But nope, not me.

I stay far far away from anything that has to do with the government and money. Nothing makes any sense, gives me some pretty bad anxiety, and raises my blood pressure. And no, I’m not joking!

One thing is for sure though, it doesn’t matter whether I do taxes myself or trust a professional…I almost always forget to gather all the right documents. I constantly misplace at least one or two important items, and spend more time trying to find the information I need when our taxes could be done and over with. It’s SO frustrating!

Which is why this checklist has been a lifesaver.

Instead of forgetting what I need to hand off to my CPA each year, I just check off each item and file the corresponding paperwork in a specific tax folder for that year. Then I grab the entire stack for my yearly appointment, drop it off at the CPA office, and it’s DONE.

I thought a resource like this might be helpful to you as well, so be sure to grab your copy of my printable Tax Prep Checklist below!

Your Handy Cheat Sheet

Keep your documents in order with this easy-to-use tax prep checklist!

How to Use the Tax Prep Checklist

Every CPA will have their own list of what you should bring to your tax appointment. But if you are doing taxes yourself or want a basic version that doesn’t have hundreds of “if” scenarios, this is your go-to resource.

This checklist explains the most important items you should remember when compiling your tax documents, with sections broken down based on whether or not you own property, have your own business, or find yourself in other miscellaneous situations.

I even ran the list by my CPA to make sure everything on there was accurate, and he helped me make a few changes. So this is definitely CPA certified!

Of course, I can’t account for every individual’s tax needs out there, {check with a CPA just in case}, but this should give you a fabulous starting point and definitely bring some order otherwise chaotic and stressful time of year.

Psst…and if you receive a refund, don’t forget to spend it smart with 12 Ideas to Help You Be Smart with Your Tax Refund.

Do you file your taxes, or trust a CPA to handle it?

Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.

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Comments

  1. MomofTwoPreciousGirls says

    February 21 at 8:31 am

    Thank you for being in my head! I was totally searching all over the google this week trying to find something that would brighten up my tax prep!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      February 23 at 7:00 pm

      Awesome! Glad it could help. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Jamie (@va_grown) says

    February 21 at 10:04 am

    Thanks for sharing this! It will be a big help getting ours done too. We go to someone, but I still have to have everything in order. I can always just add a few notes to the back for our personal needs.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      February 23 at 7:02 pm

      I think CPA’s are very surprised when they have someone who is super organized with their taxes, but it makes things go so much smoother and faster. The notes on the back is a great idea too!

      Reply
  3. nancy hurt says

    February 21 at 11:48 pm

    This sounds great to have for next year. I just brought my bookwork to my CPA this week, but I am getting organized more and more, so this will be a big help.
    thanks so much.
    Nancy

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      February 23 at 6:59 pm

      You’re welcome!

      Reply
  4. Stephanie Hanouw says

    February 24 at 11:11 pm

    Would yiu send me a tax check list, please?

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      February 25 at 4:04 pm

      I will get it to you ASAP! I’m very sorry – the sign up form disappeared when the e-mail service went down.

      Reply
  5. Ricci Jones says

    February 25 at 2:51 pm

    How do you print it? I can’t find where.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      February 25 at 4:03 pm

      The e-mail sign up system is having technical issues but once it is back up you will receive it in your e-mail to print from there! I’m so sorry for the inconvenience!

      Reply
  6. Jessi says

    February 25 at 2:57 pm

    I like to be in control when it comes to money so I never let anyone else handle my taxes. I’ve done my own taxes since I was a teenager but this year, it’s a bit more complicated! I own my own business, am an independent sales consultant on the side and my husband is an independent contractor. Makes my job as the in house accountant (not really, but I can use a calculator and read instructions) a lot more interesting this year!

    Reply
  7. Holly says

    February 25 at 3:07 pm

    This would be so helpful! Thanks for sharing…(Is this where I leave my email address to receive the download?)

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      February 25 at 4:01 pm

      My mailing list that sends out the checklist is currently down. Once it is back up and running I will get it to you as soon as possible!

      Reply
  8. Diana says

    February 25 at 6:51 pm

    Could I have it emailed to me as well! Thanks

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      February 27 at 8:16 pm

      Should be in your email now. 🙂

      Reply
  9. kim Franzman says

    March 1 at 6:04 pm

    I would love a checklist as well

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      March 2 at 8:25 pm

      Kim, you should be able to put your email in the box above {in the post}, and it will send one automatically to your inbox. Let me know if it doesn’t work and I will gladly send one your way!

      Reply
  10. kim Franzman says

    March 2 at 9:14 pm

    Thanks for your response, I did try my email on the website multiple times and it gave me an error everytime. If you could send me one I would appreciate it!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      March 3 at 12:40 pm

      I am so sorry about that! You should have one in your email now. 🙂

      Reply
  11. Stacey says

    March 13 at 12:31 pm

    I’ve left my email but have received no access to the form. Please help!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      March 17 at 1:39 pm

      Stacey, I just sent you a new link to try!

      Reply
  12. Gerri Barron says

    March 25 at 10:24 am

    I use to do our own taxes…but then everything started to change and I couldn’t keep up with it all…and I started keeping a baby…I was so surprised at the deductions that I wasn’t getting…at the time I was doing our taxes my husband was a fire fighter, there were things we could use that I didn’t know about, along with the baby sitting expenses….anyway all that said we use a “tax man” now and he is GREAT…saves us lots of $$…even my oldest son who is living with us uses him….I try to make sure I have all the papers but this list will sure help….thanks and I really like your site 🙂

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      March 28 at 9:01 pm

      Thank you for your sweet comment, Gerri, and I hope the tax checklist helps! I have found my stress level reduce drastically just by hiring out.

      Reply
  13. Beth says

    March 26 at 10:38 am

    Can’t access the Tax Prep Checklist but would love to. Can you send a direct link. Note: I can access other printables. Thanks for all your info.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      March 29 at 1:19 pm

      Just sent you an email! 🙂

      Reply
  14. john says

    October 20 at 3:22 pm

    Submitted my email but where is the downloadable checklist?

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      October 22 at 8:14 pm

      John, I just emailed it to you! Thanks so much for your patience.

      Reply
  15. Virginia says

    December 5 at 10:49 pm

    i clicked on the link to confirm my subscription, but never got the Tax Sheet Checklist, can you please send to me?

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      December 10 at 5:52 pm

      Just sent you an email, Virginia!

      Reply
  16. Em says

    January 20 at 2:49 pm

    Hi! I tried to download a copy of the checklist, submitted my name and email but didn’t get the form!

    It sounds great! I’d like to try it this year.

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      January 21 at 1:29 pm

      Em, I just sent a copy to your email. Enjoy!

      Reply
  17. Mandy says

    January 22 at 11:14 am

    I have been looking for a better way to organize my taxes during the year. I like the plan to mark items off as you get them. I will be trying this checklist out this year for sure.

    Reply
  18. Lisa says

    April 19 at 9:38 pm

    Tax Season is no fun. Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  19. Correy Smith says

    September 24 at 4:10 pm

    Oh, I remember my first time of doing tax preparation after coming out of high school and being in an actual full time job. It sure was quite an experience that got me thinking about why it wasn’t taught in high school. I guess it’s a part of life in growing up and becoming an adult.

    Reply
  20. Tammy Moretz says

    December 26 at 2:31 pm

    I’m starting to set up at Craft Shows again after more than 20 years. Just want to make sure I keep everything for those taxes! Thank you so much for this printable. It’s really sweet of you to bless others with your efforts. We hope you have a happy and blessed New Year!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      December 29 at 2:10 am

      You’re welcome, Tammy!! I hope you really enjoy your “new” {‘repeat’ may be a better word?} adventure and I’m glad the printable will help you make the paperwork a little bit easier.

      Reply
  21. Kristen says

    June 8 at 11:13 am

    I signed up for your blog but have not received the checklist. I would greatly appreciate if you could email me the file at your earliest convenience. Thanks for all your great work.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      June 10 at 10:56 am

      You should see it in your inbox shortly!

      Reply
  22. Tawny says

    August 4 at 11:41 pm

    looks like its exactly what I need

    Reply
  23. Maxine Upchurch says

    September 12 at 8:37 pm

    Hello
    Thank you for the information it was very helpful and it confirmed I have been correctly completing my tax clients returns in accordance with irs code. I requested a copy of your tax checklist to my email didn’t let me submit. Would you send me a copy please to my email listed.

    Have a question that I can’t seem to find anybyoubtub videos on or anyone who bus willing to help me without charging an consult fee. My question is have a client who have a net loss on their schedule c and she asked if I new anything about the not carry forward or carry back rule. I couldn’t find the and of what’s the requirements and how to process the nol is there anyway you could post something about that or may a website I could go to . I looked on irs pub but I was very confused.

    Thank you
    Maxine Upchurch

    Reply
  24. Kim Harris says

    September 22 at 11:53 pm

    I filled out the form, but I haven’t received anything. Could you send it to me? Thank you in advance for your help!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      September 23 at 3:41 pm

      I just sent it to you now – Let me know if you don’t get it!

      Reply
  25. Maddie says

    October 23 at 10:03 pm

    It won’t let me download anywhere. I’ve actually had this problem with another download as well. Is it because I’m on my cell? Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      October 26 at 2:23 pm

      Hi Maddie,

      Joseph just sent you an email! Hopefully it will fix the problem. 🙂

      Kalyn

      Reply
  26. Maddie says

    October 23 at 10:04 pm

    I cant figure out how to download the form. I actually had this problem on another post as well. Is it because I’m on my cell? Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      October 26 at 2:22 pm

      Hi Maddie,

      Joseph just sent you an email! Hopefully it will fix the problem. 🙂

      Kalyn

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Kalyn—a recovering perfectionist who nerds out about organizing systems, personal productivity, and helping you prioritize what matters over the pressure to do it all. I have a feeling we’re about to become the best of friends! Learn more >>

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I wrote this in my journal the other day: 📓⁣

I wrote this in my journal the other day: 📓⁣ ⁣ “I’ve been thinking about what tech boundaries I want to instill, including boundaries related to work and productivity. I’ve become less careful about my media consumption, and it’s having a negative affect on my mental health.” 💞⁣ ⁣ Have you ever felt a similar tug? ⁣ ⁣ I can’t begin to tell you how many times I pick up my phone because I’m bored or lonely or jealous or unhappy. It almost always makes me feel worse. And yet...I struggle to stop. 😝⁣ ⁣ Here are the ideas I’ve been trying this month and I’m already seeing a positive effect:⁣ ⁣ ➕ No logging into social media after 8pm. I need to wind down for the night, not get lost in my phone! 📲⁣ ➕ Open Instagram with a purpose—either to post or to interact. Stop endlessly scrolling.⁣ ➕ My only screen time before 9am should be for Bible Study apps or News. 🗞⁣ ➕ Turn my phone on Do Not Disturb during Tiger Time (when I need the most focus for work) 💪⁣ ➕ Work no more than 4 hours on my business per day. If a task isn’t complete, push it to the next day. This time frame has really helped me prioritize! 💻⁣ ➕ Watch one show per day (or two if they are short!) and leave movies for the weekend. 📺⁣ ⁣ What tech boundaries have you set up? Are any new as of this year? I’d love to hear your ideas! 😃

What’s one thing you budget for that other peopl
What’s one thing you budget for that other people might not? I always find those interesting. 😃⁣ ⁣ You might have a mortgage. I budget for campgrounds. You might want a separate clothing budget, while I’m fine combining it under “Beauty and Style.” Recently, we also added a new line item for our motorcycle—something I NEVER thought would appear in our budget. ⁣ ⁣ See, we’re all different! ⁣ ⁣ Recently, I rearranged my budget categories and created this “cheat sheet.” Sometimes I forget where things go, like picking up new wall art for the living room. Does this item belong in the categories of Household Items or Home Maintenance? 🤔⁣ ⁣ Now I know! And I save time processing receipts each Friday. 🧾⁣ ⁣ What budgeting categories do you use? Share one of your random budget line items with me in the comments below! 😃

I call 2020 the Year of Abandoned Books. ⁣
⁣
I

I call 2020 the Year of Abandoned Books. ⁣ ⁣ I’m never afraid to stop reading a book if it doesn’t live up to the hype. Why invest more time in a book I’m not all that excited about when I could be exploring new authors and storylines where I can’t wait to turn the page? 🤷⁣ ⁣ But in 2020, I let more books go than I normally do. I suppose my patience dwindled when I thought the world was ending. Not that I thought the world was actually ending…but you know what I mean. 😉⁣ ⁣ As an Enneagram 1, I hate giving up on a book. I’m prone to the all-or-nothing mentality, even in my reading habits. My eyes could glaze over boring prose and I’d still repeat to myself: “You MUST finish this book!” 😫⁣ ⁣ Why? ⁣ ⁣ No one is adding a plastic star to your Book-It pin, (Remember those?) This isn’t assigned reading from your high school English class. This is YOUR reading life. ⁣ ⁣ And YOU should choose what books deserve your attention. 📚⁣ ⁣ There are too many good ones out there anyway. Like one of my favorite reads from 2020. 😍⁣ ⁣ This week’s newest blog post rounds up everything I read last year (43 books total!) including 5-star psychological thrillers, a delightful royal series, a couple self-help books, and of course, historical fiction.⁣ ⁣ Click the link in my bio to read it! ☝⁣ ⁣ What were your favorite books in 2020? Our literary styles might be a match made in heaven! ✨

My planner/journal lineup for 2021. 👆 ⁣
⁣
T

My planner/journal lineup for 2021. 👆 ⁣ ⁣ These small but mighty sidekicks will be my saving grace this year. 📚⁣ ⁣ 1️⃣ Bullet Journal (Blue) - for everyday planning and goal setting⁣ 2️⃣ Regular Journal (Yellow) - to track gratitude (5 things a day!) and to process ALL the feelings⁣ 3️⃣ Growth Journal (Sand) - a space for me to brain dump everything I learn from books, podcasts, sermons, etc ⁣ ⁣ That last one is new to me as of this year and I can't wait to flip back through all my notes come December! 📆⁣ ⁣ What planners/journals are you using for 2021?

Self-care is just as important as making your famo
Self-care is just as important as making your famous sugar cookies this holiday season. 🍪⁣ ⁣ Because let’s be real. ⁣ ⁣ That Hallmark-esque Christmas magic disappears the moment disagreeable family members annoy you. Or when you feel irritable over too many late nights and little-to-no sleep. Or when expectations over meals and traditions and social activities fall short and leave you feeling disappointed. 😬⁣ ⁣ But instead of dwelling on these stressful moments and using them as an excuse to completely disconnect from reality (as I’m often tempted to do!), view them as an opportunity for you to respond with poise. 💞⁣ ⁣ ➕ Journal your feelings. ⁣ ➕ Go for a walk. ⁣ ➕ Prioritize what’s essential. ⁣ ➕ Remember to breathe.⁣ ➕ And try not to eat your feelings…okay?⁣ ⁣ Here’s your permission slip if you need one: You don’t need to do or participate in everything! Take a time out when you need it. 🙌⁣ ⁣ That’s the best way you can protect your emotional well-being over the next few days.⁣ ⁣ Merry Christmas, friends! 🎄


I know you’re ready for this year to be over. 🙋‍♀️ The last twelve months brought so many hard things into our lives—relationships were lost, our country became more broken and divided than ever, and oh yeah, we walked through a pandemic too. 🦠 🤯 No biggie, right? Ha! 😅 And while it’s easy to look back and wish we could skip 2020 altogether (or at least insist on a do-over), I don’t want this year to be the one where the hard overcame the good. 💕 Just as hard days don’t mean ruined days, hard years don’t mean ruined years. 2020 can still be good. 💪 For me, I want to remember the fun and exciting things we did. The adventures we had. The new shows we watched, and the books we read. The new life hacks and things I discovered that made my life easier or just brought me joy. 💞 You’ll find it all in my latest blog post (link in profile). If you still need to buy a gift for a loved one (or for yourself!), you’ll find plenty of fun and affordable ideas to fill up the rest of your gifting list. 📦 Otherwise, enjoy a stroll down the good side of 2020’s memory lane and leave your favorite things in the comments so I can try them. 👋


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