About this template
Tax season runs on paper that arrives in other people's envelopes. The W-2 lands in January, the brokerage form drifts into mid-February, the K-1 shows up in March — and the appointment is somehow always next week. This one-page checklist names all 24 forms a typical US household might need for the 2026 tax year (filed in 2027), who sends each one, and when it should arrive. Check them off as they land, and walk into tax season holding everything. Federal filing deadline for the 2026 tax year: April 15, 2027. You get it two ways: a printable PDF for paper-and-pen checking, and the same checklist as a spreadsheet that scores your progress automatically. The second box on the page lists the five things preparers always end up asking for: last year's return and any IRS letters, IDs and Social Security cards for the whole family, birth dates, bank details for direct deposit, and your life changes — married, baby, new job, moved, bought or sold a home. This checklist is an organizer, not tax advice. It does not calculate your taxes or prepare a return — it helps you gather every form before you file or meet your preparer. Check IRS.gov or a qualified tax professional for advice about your situation.
What's inside
- Pay & Income Forms (6) — W-2 for each job (yours and your spouse's), 1099-NEC for freelance and side-gig income, 1099-MISC, 1099-K from payment apps and marketplaces, 1099-G for unemployment or a state refund.
- Banks & Investments (6) — 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B for stocks and crypto sold, 1099-R for retirement distributions, SSA-1099 for Social Security, and the K-1 that always arrives last.
- Mortgage, Tuition & Loans (4) — the 1098 mortgage interest statement, 1098-T tuition, 1098-E student loan interest, and your property tax statement.
- Health & Benefits (3) — the 1095-A Marketplace form (you cannot file without it), 1095-B/C coverage forms, and HSA forms.
- Deductions, Credits & Payments (5) — charitable donation receipts, the childcare statement, IRA contribution records, your estimated tax payments with dates and amounts, and last year's return.
How it works — 3 steps
- Print the PDF (US Letter) or open the spreadsheet version in January.
- As each envelope or email arrives, check the box (PDF) or mark Received? = Yes with the date (spreadsheet). Most forms must reach you by January 31; brokerage and K-1 forms can take until February or March.
- When the score reads 100%, book the appointment — and bring the preparer box items with you.
You never build or fix a formula. Type only in the pale-yellow cells — the formula cells are protected (no password) so the math can't be broken by accident. Fictional SAMPLE rows, clearly marked, show you the format; delete them and the file is yours.
What you need
For the PDF: any PDF reader, and a printer if you want the paper copy. For the spreadsheet: Microsoft Excel, or Google Sheets (free with a Google account). The same .xlsx file works in both — upload it to Google Drive, open it, File → Make a copy, and work in your copy. The spreadsheet version is the only part that needs Excel or Sheets; the printable PDF works anywhere.
Instant download
This is a digital download — no physical item will be shipped. After purchase, go to Etsy → Purchases and reviews → Download files, save the file to your computer first, then open it in Excel (click “Enable Editing”) or upload it to Google Drive for Sheets (then File → Make a copy, and always work in your copy).
License
Personal use only — for your own household. Please do not share, resell or redistribute the file.
Questions
What exactly do I receive?
Two files: a one-page printable PDF (US Letter) with checkboxes, and the same 24-form checklist as an Excel spreadsheet with Received? and Date columns and an automatic completeness score at the top.
Which tax year is this for?
The 2026 tax year, filed in 2027 — the federal filing deadline is April 15, 2027. The form list itself (W-2, 1099s, 1098s, 1095-A) is the standard set that arrives every year, so the checklist stays useful next season too.
Do I need Excel or Google Sheets?
Only for the spreadsheet version. The PDF prints and works with any PDF reader — if you only want the paper checklist, you're all set.
My forms arrive at different times. Is that normal?
Yes. Employers and banks must send most forms by January 31, but brokerage consolidated forms often land in mid-February and K-1s in March. The checklist shows the expected timing for each form so you know what is late and what is just slow.
Does this fill in or file my tax return?
No. It's a gathering checklist — it makes sure every form is in your hands before you file yourself or sit down with a preparer. It is not tax software and not tax advice.