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Tax filing and preparation

Build the records map before the return

Which records should be gathered before a federal return is prepared?

The useful first move is not guessing at a result. It is building a records packet, identifying what changed, and taking unresolved questions to the person responsible for preparing or reviewing the return.

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01

What the source establishes

  • The IRS Get Ready material tells taxpayers to access an IRS online account and gather tax records before filing season.
  • The page says organized tax records can help taxpayers file complete and accurate returns and avoid errors that could delay refunds.
  • The page specifically tells taxpayers to watch for Forms W-2 and other income documents as they become available.
02

Decision map

  1. 01

    Which income, payment, and withholding records are already in hand?

  2. 02

    What changed since the prior return: work, business activity, housing, dependents, retirement distributions, or state residency?

  3. 03

    Which records can be checked against the IRS online account or the current form instructions?

  4. 04

    Which unresolved items need a tax preparer or other qualified professional?

03

Saved source trail

Internal Revenue Service

What taxpayers can do to Get Ready for the 2026 tax filing season

Source archived and hash-pinned in the WealthWise evidence ledger on 2026-07-14.

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