Kempt
In short
The IRS tells you to gather W-2 forms from every employer, 1099 forms for unemployment, dividends, retirement distributions, gig work, interest and digital assets, Form 1095-A if you had Marketplace coverage, and any IRS letters such as your IP PIN notice.Add receipts for what you deduct. Keep the return and its records at least 3 years. Most of it arrives by email in January; the work is finding it.
Without any app
Make a folder for the year
Documents › Taxes › 2025. Everything for that return goes there, including what you download from employers, banks and brokers.
Collect the IRS forms
W-2 from each employer; 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-R, 1099-G, 1099-NEC or 1099-K, and 1099-DA as they apply; Form 1095-A if you bought insurance on the Marketplace; IRS letters, including the CP01A notice with your IP PIN.
Add what supports deductions
Charity receipts, mortgage interest (Form 1098), childcare, education (1098-T) and medical bills if you itemise. Search Mail for “1099” and “receipt” and save attachments into the folder.
Check against last year
Open last year’s return and tick each form that appeared there: a missing 1099 is the most common gap.
Keep it
The IRS says keep records 3 years in most cases, longer in some (see the guide on how long to keep documents).
| Paper | From | When it arrives |
|---|---|---|
| W-2 | Each employer | By the end of January |
| 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B | Banks and brokers | January to mid-February |
| 1099-NEC, 1099-K | Clients and payment platforms | Late January |
| 1099-R, 1099-G | Retirement plans, unemployment | January |
| 1095-A | Health Insurance Marketplace | Early in the year |
| 1098, 1098-T | Mortgage lender, school | January |
Dates are typical; the IRS lists what to gather at irs.gov.
With Kempt
- 1
Forms named as they arrive
Each W-2 or 1099 saved from Mail or a portal is read and named (“2025 W-2 Northwind.pdf”) and filed with your tax papers.
- 2
The whole year in one question
Ask “my 1099s for 2025” or “charity receipts 2025” and get the list with the page each figure came from.
- 3
A pack for your preparer
The accountant pack gathers a month’s receipts and invoices as copies, a merged PDF and a CSV for you to review; Prepare the papers matches your preparer’s list line by line.
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Questions people ask
What documents do I need to file taxes?
Your W-2s, the 1099s that apply to you, Form 1095-A if you had Marketplace coverage, IRS letters, and receipts for deductions or credits you claim.
When will I get my W-2?
Employers send W-2s by the end of January.
What if a 1099 is missing?
Ask the payer for it; you still report the income even without the form.
How long should I keep my tax documents?
At least 3 years from filing in most cases, according to the IRS.
Where do I find my 1099s?
They arrive by mail or in the payer’s online account, usually between January and mid-February. Search Mail for “1099” and save each one into your tax folder.
What is an IP PIN?
The IRS Identity Protection PIN, a 6-digit number that protects your return. The CP01A notice carries it.
Do I need receipts if I take the standard deduction?
Not for deductions you don’t claim. Keep records of your income and of any credits you claim.