Tax season is officially open. The IRS and New York State began accepting 2025 returns on January 27, and the filing deadline is April 15, 2026. Whether you’re an individual filer or a business owner, getting organized now will save you time, money, and stress.
After more than 30 years of preparing tax returns at Keltron, I’ve seen the same mistakes cost clients real money — missed deductions, last-minute scrambles for documents, and penalties for late filing. This checklist will help you avoid all of that.
Important Changes for 2026
A few things are different this year. Federal refunds are now electronic only — you’ll need your bank routing and account numbers ready for direct deposit. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has changed eligibility for several federal tax credits, so don’t assume everything works the same as last year. And New York State has tripled the Empire State Child Credit for children under 4 — eligible families can now receive up to $1,000 per child.
Personal Information You’ll Need
- Social Security numbers for you, your spouse, and all dependents
- Bank routing and account number for direct deposit (required for federal refunds)
- Copy of last year’s tax return
- Identity Protection PIN from the IRS, if applicable
Income Documents
- W-2s from all employers
- 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC for freelance or contract income
- 1099-INT and 1099-DIV for interest and dividends
- 1099-B for stock or investment sales
- 1099-R for retirement distributions
- 1099-K for payment app income (Venmo, PayPal) — the reporting threshold is $2,500 for 2025
- K-1 forms for partnership, S-Corp, or trust income
- Rental income and expense records
Deductions & Credits
- Mortgage interest statement (Form 1098)
- Property tax statements
- State and local tax (SALT) records — the $10,000 cap still applies
- Charitable donation receipts
- Medical and dental expense records
- Student loan interest paid (Form 1098-E)
- Childcare and dependent care expenses
- Records of estimated tax payments made during the year
For Small Business Owners & Self-Employed
- Profit and loss statement or income/expense summary
- Business-related receipts (supplies, equipment, travel, meals)
- Home office measurements and expenses
- Vehicle mileage log for business use
- Payroll records and quarterly estimated tax payment confirmations
Key Deadlines
- January 27, 2026 — IRS and NYS begin accepting returns
- January 31, 2026 — Employers must issue W-2s and 1099s
- April 15, 2026 — Filing deadline for individual returns
- October 15, 2026 — Extended filing deadline (if extension filed)
Tips from 30+ Years of Experience
File early if you’re expecting a refund — most direct deposits arrive within two to three weeks. Don’t forget about estimated taxes if you’re self-employed. Keep your records for at least three years. And when in doubt, ask a professional — tax law changes every year, and what worked last year might not apply this year.
Ready to File?
At Keltron Tax & Wealth Management Corp., we’ve been helping individuals and businesses in Queens and the greater NYC area since 1993. Call us at (718) 956-0500 or visit us at 43-20 30th Ave, Astoria, Queens. Don’t wait until April — schedule your appointment today.
