This coming January 24 is the first day of the 2022 tax filing season, when the IRS will start accepting federal income tax returns for 2021. The date marks the beginning of the third tax filing season to be affected by complexities associated with the COVID pandemic.
For most taxpayers, Monday, April 18 is the filing deadline, not the traditional April 15 date. That’s Emancipation Day in Washington D.C. and, by law, impacts the tax deadline the same way federal holidays do.
Whether you are one of the 80 million taxpayers who pay professionals to complete and submit their returns or you prepare tax returns yourself, you will need to assemble the documents and information necessary to accurately file your return. Go through the following checklist to make sure you have what you need at hand. Since not every item will apply to you, simply pick those that do.
Personal information:
• Social Security numbers, full names, and dates of birth for you, your spouse, and dependents.
• Information and documents regarding your stimulus payment (Economic Impact Payment or EIP) – IRS Notice 1444 showing your EIP amount, and IRS Letter 6475 (used to determine eligibility to claim Recovery Rebate Credit).
• Child Tax Credit Letter 6419.
• Identity Protection PIN, if one has been issued to you, your spouse, or your dependent by the IRS.
• If you want to have your refund direct deposited you will need routing and account numbers for your bank account.
Information about your income,…
