What Information Do I Need to File My Taxes?

Preparation

You need the full name, birthdate and Social Security Numbers for yourself and all dependents. Gather all income statements, which include W-2s, interest and dividend statements, and 1099, if applicable. You'll also need receipts for any tax-deductible items you have, such as charity donations, mortgage interest payments and business-related expenses. If you plan to have your refund direct deposited, you'll need your account number and your bank's routing number.

If you are missing your W-2 or other income information, you can substitute it with IRS form 4852. Enter your wages, federal withholding, Social Security wages, Medicare wages, state tax withheld, local tax withheld, and any distributions on form 4852. If you are unsure how much you paid or how much was withheld, reference your pay stubs. For example, if you get paid once a month, multiply the federal withholding amount listed on your pay stub times 12 for your yearly withholding amount. Unless you adjusted your withholding amount, this is the amount of tax you paid for the year. Attach your completed form 4852 to your return and mail it to the IRS for processing.The IRS website has contact information for all local IRS offices.

In addition to the information required to file your return, remember to include any forms or information which may prove helpful to the IRS when processing your return. For example, it is helpful to include a daytime phone number so that you are easily reachable if there is a discrepancy with your return. Also, if you are filing late or paying late, you may wish to include form 843 with your return to request an abatement of penalties.

Prior year returns cannot be electronically submitted and must be mailed to the IRS office that services your region. At the IRS website you can find forms, instructions and publications going back at least 10 years. If you prefer, you can also order the forms by calling 800-TAX-FORM. Keep in mind that you have only three years from the due date of your return to file and receive your refund, after which time you forfeit your right to the refund.