Tax season can feel like a whirlwind of deadlines and paperwork, but having the right documents in order can make all the difference. Whether you’re filing a simple return or dealing with more complex tax matters, knowing what you need—and when you need it—can save you from stress and costly mistakes.

To help you stay ahead of deadlines and avoid unnecessary headaches, we’ve put together a list of the essential tax documents you’ll need throughout the year and a timeline of when they must be filed.

January – Getting Ready for Tax Season

Forms You’ll Receive:

• W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) – If you're an employee, your employer must send this form by January 31. It outlines your earnings and taxes withheld.
• 1099-NEC (Nonemployee Compensation) – If you’re a freelancer, contractor, or self-employed and earned over $600 from a client, they should send you this form by January 31.
• 1099-MISC – Used for reporting rental income, prizes, or other miscellaneous payments. Deadline: January 31.
• 1099-INT and 1099-DIV – If you earned interest from bank accounts or dividends from investments, these forms arrive by January 31.
• Form 1098 (Mortgage Interest Statement) – If you own a home and paid mortgage interest, your lender will send this by January 31.
• Form 1098-T (Tuition Statement) – For students or parents claiming education credits. Schools issue this by January 31.

February – Organizing Your Deductions

Documents You’ll Need to Gather:

• Charitable Donation Receipts – Keep records of any tax-deductible donations you made throughout the year.
• Business Expense Records – If you're self-employed, now is the time to organize receipts for office supplies, travel, and other deductions.
• Medical Expense Documentation – If you had significant medical expenses, gather receipts, insurance statements, and any records of payments.
• State and Local Tax Forms – Depending on your state, you might receive additional forms related to state or local taxes.

March – Finalizing Your Return

Deadlines to Keep in Mind:

• IRA Contributions Deadline – April 15 – If you're contributing to an IRA for the previous tax year, you have until April 15 to do so and still claim it on your return.
• HSA Contributions Deadline – April 15 – Contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) can also be made up to April 15 and still count for the previous tax year.

April – The Big Deadline Month

April 15 – Tax Day! This is the standard deadline to file your Form 1040 (U.S. Individual Income Tax Return) and pay any taxes owed. If you need more time, you can file Form 4868 (Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File), which grants an extension until October 15. However, an extension to file does not mean an extension to pay—any taxes owed are still due on April 15 to avoid penalties and interest.

June – Estimated Taxes for Self-Employed Individuals

If you’re self-employed or don’t have taxes withheld from your income, you may need to pay estimated taxes. The second quarterly estimated tax payment is due on June 15 (the first was due on April 15). Payments are made using Form 1040-ES.

September – Another Estimated Tax Deadline

For those required to pay estimated taxes, the third quarterly payment is due on September 15

October – Last Call for Extensions

October 15 – Extended Tax Return Deadline If you filed for an extension back in April, this is your final deadline to submit your tax return. If you miss this deadline, late filing penalties may apply.

December – Wrapping Up the Tax Year

As the year comes to a close, it’s a great time to:

• Review your withholdings to avoid surprises next tax season.
• Make final charitable donations if you’re looking for additional deductions.
• Max out retirement contributions before the year ends to take advantage of tax benefits.

Facing IRS Issues? Powell Tax Law Can Help

Navigating tax deadlines is one thing, but if you find yourself facing IRS disputes, penalties, or collections, it’s crucial to take action quickly. At Powell Tax Law, we specialize in helping Texans resolve tax issues, including IRS audits, tax debt relief, and penalty abatement. Don’t wait until the situation escalates—contact us today for a consultation and let us help you find a solution to your tax challenges.