How to File Taxes in Alabama
From Tax Guide.
Tax Guide · Arab, Alabama
What Documents Do I Need to File Taxes?
A plain checklist of what to bring to your tax preparer: income forms, deduction records, ID and the prior-year return, so nothing slows your visit.
The short answer
What documents do I need to file my taxes?
You need proof of who you are, records of everything you earned, and records of anything that may reduce your tax, plus last year's return if you have it.
A complete set of paperwork is the biggest factor in how smoothly a tax visit goes. Missing pieces mean follow-up calls, and an incomplete return is more likely to need correcting later.
Not every item below applies to everyone. Bring what you have, and tell us about anything you are unsure of. We would rather see a document you did not need than miss one you did.
Identity
What personal information should I bring?
Bring a photo ID for yourself and the Social Security number or taxpayer identification number for everyone who will be on the return.
That includes your spouse and any dependents. Names and numbers need to match Social Security records exactly, because a mismatch is a common reason a return is rejected or held up.
Please do not send Social Security numbers through our website or by regular email. Bring cards or numbers to the office, or call us and we will tell you the safest way.
- Photo ID for you (and your spouse, if filing together)
- Social Security cards or numbers for everyone on the return
- Dates of birth for dependents
- Bank routing and account numbers if you want direct deposit
- Last year's federal and Alabama returns, if you have them
Income
Which income forms do I need for my tax return?
Bring every form that reports money paid to you, because the IRS receives copies of most of them and expects your return to match.
Forms arrive by mail or online, mostly in the weeks after the year ends. If one has not shown up, our page on a missing or incorrect W-2 explains what to do. Do not assume a small amount does not count. Even modest income is generally reportable.
Self-employed and gig income has no employer form at all in some cases, so bring your own records of what you received and what you spent. A simple summary or bank statements can work.
| Form | What it reports |
|---|---|
| W-2 | Wages from an employer |
| 1099-NEC / 1099-K | Contract, gig and payment-app income |
| 1099-INT / 1099-DIV | Interest and dividends |
| 1099-R | Pension, IRA and 401(k) distributions |
| SSA-1099 | Social Security benefits |
| 1099-G | Unemployment and state refunds |
| 1099-B / 1099-S | Sales of investments and real estate |
Also bring records of rental, farm and other income that may not come with a form.
Deductions and credits
What records help with deductions and credits?
Records for mortgage interest, taxes paid, charitable giving, education costs and childcare are the ones people most often forget to bring.
Whether these items help depends on whether you itemize and on the credit rules for your situation. Our guide on standard deduction or itemizing explains that choice. Bring the records either way, so the decision is made with the full picture.
If you have children or other dependents, bring childcare provider details and any education forms. See dependents and child-related credits for how those items are used.
- Form 1098 for mortgage interest, and property tax bills
- Charitable donation receipts
- Form 1098-T and student loan interest statements (1098-E)
- Childcare provider name, address and tax ID
- Health insurance Form 1095-A if you had marketplace coverage
- Retirement account contribution records
- Estimated tax payments you made during the year
Business owners
What should self-employed people and business owners bring?
Bring a summary of income and expenses for the year, along with the supporting records behind them.
That usually means bank and credit card statements, invoices, mileage or vehicle records, payroll reports if you have employees, and records of large purchases such as equipment. If you keep books, a profit and loss statement helps a great deal.
If your records are behind, tell us. It is much easier to plan the work than to be surprised by it, and we can point you toward cleaning things up.
How we can help
Get your documents together with Melton Tax Services
Melton Tax Services prepares individual, family, business and self-employed income tax returns in Arab, and we can tell you exactly what to bring.
Our income tax preparation service starts with a conversation about your year. Call 256-586-4635 or use our contact page, and we will walk through the list with you. We serve Arab and the surrounding area.
Also see how long to keep tax records once your return is filed.
Answers
Questions about tax document checklist
What if I am missing a document?
Bring what you have and tell us what is missing. Employers and payers can usually send a replacement, and the IRS also has ways to help with a form that never arrives.
Do I need last year's tax return?
It is very helpful, because it shows carryover items and helps us match your information. If you do not have it, tell us and we can talk about how to get a copy.
Do I need receipts for everything?
You need records that support anything you claim, but that does not always mean every paper receipt. Bank and card statements often help. We will tell you what is needed for your situation.
Can I send my documents through the website?
No. Please do not send Social Security numbers or tax documents through the website. Bring them to the office or call us first.
What do I bring if I had no income forms at all?
Bring your own records of what you earned, such as deposits, invoices or a written summary. Income is generally reportable even when nobody sent you a form.
Read next
Related reading
Lost, Missing or Wrong W-2? What to Do
From Tax Guide.
How Long to Keep Tax Records
From Tax Guide.
Who Can I Claim as a Dependent on Taxes?
From Tax Guide.
Income Tax Services
A service Melton Tax Services provides.
Melton Tax Services
Questions about your taxes or your business?
Our team in Arab is just a phone call away, and we are glad to talk it through with you.