Self-Employed Tax Prep Checklist: What to Gather Before You File

Key takeaways

• If this is your first year self-employed, start by gathering income and expense records before worrying about deductions.
• Focus on collecting records first — sorting and calculating comes later.
• A simple checklist can make self-employed tax prep feel manageable. 

If this is your first year filing as self-employed, the hardest part isn’t the forms — it’s knowing what to gather before you start.

Use this step-by-step checklist to gather everything you need before you start your return.

1. Income documents

Collect documentation that shows how you were paid this year.

• Gather 1099-NEC or 1099-K forms
• Pull records of direct deposits or platform payments
• Include any income that didn’t come with a form

Not sure which form applies to you? Learn more about Form 1099-K and Form 1099-NEC.

2. Expense receipts and statements

Collect receipts and statements for everything you spent to earn income.

• Gather receipts for work-related purchases
• Review bank and credit card statements
• Set aside expenses tied to earning income

Our self-employed tax calculator can help estimate what you might owe after expenses.

3. Details about your work that affect your taxes

Be ready to document details that could affect your deductions.

• Track business miles if you used your car
• Measure your dedicated home workspace
• Note any other work-related use of your home

If you’ve earned overtime this year, here’s what to know about how overtime pay is taxed.

Gather what you need now. We’ll help you file with confidence.

When you begin in TurboTax, Intuit Assist helps you get organized from the start. It asks straightforward questions about your situation and works in the background to check for accuracy in real time, categorize income and expenses, and surface deductions and credits you may qualify for.

TurboTax walks you through the process from start to finish. You’re closer than you think. Gather what you need now—we’ll help you file with confidence.