Form 1040 Tax Return Review Checklist (2025 Tax Year)

A. Personal Information

• Taxpayer’s name, Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN, and date of birth are correct and match SSA/IRS records.
• Spouse’s name, SSN/ITIN, and date of birth (if applicable) are correct.
• Current address is accurate; if changed, Form 8822 filed if necessary.
• Filing status is correct (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, Head of Household, Qualifying Surviving Spouse).
• Dependents’ names, SSNs/ITINs, relationship, and dates of birth are correct and match SSA/IRS records.
• Dependent boxes for Child Tax Credit or Credit for Other Dependents are checked as appropriate.
• If claiming a dependent, all tests (relationship, age, residency, support, joint return, and citizenship) are met.
• Confirm if the Taxpayer owns or sold virtual currency.
• Confirm if the Taxpayer owns or owned during the year foreign based assets

B. Income

• All Forms W-2, 1099 (INT, DIV, NEC, MISC, R, G, K, SSA-1099, etc.), and other income statements are included and amounts are entered correctly.
• Wages, salaries, and tips (Form W-2, box 1) are reported on line 1a.
• Interest income (Form 1099-INT/1099-OID) is reported on line 2b; tax-exempt interest on line 2a.
• Dividend income (Form 1099-DIV) is reported on lines 3a/3b.
• IRA, pension, and annuity distributions (Form 1099-R) are reported on lines 4a/4b and 5a/5b.
• Social Security benefits (Form SSA-1099) are reported on lines 6a/6b; worksheet used to determine taxable amount.
• Capital gains/losses (Form 1099-B, 1099-S, K-1, etc.) are reported on Schedule D and line 7a.
• Business income/loss (Schedule C) and self-employment income are reported; all supporting documents and records are included.
• Rental/royalty income (Schedule E) is reported; all supporting documents and records are included.
• Other income (unemployment, gambling, jury duty, alimony, digital assets, etc.) is reported on Schedule 1, lines 1–8z.
• Digital asset transactions are disclosed and reported as required.  Obtain confirmation in writing about virtual currency.
• Foreign based assets and transactions are disclosed.  Obtain confirmation in writing about foreign assets and if the taxpayer owns/has an interest in any or not.

C. Adjustments to Income (Schedule 1, Part II)

• Educator expenses, health savings account deduction, moving expenses (military), deductible part of self-employment tax, self-employed SEP/SIMPLE/qualified plan contributions, self-employed health insurance, penalty on early withdrawal of savings, IRA deduction, student loan interest deduction, and other adjustments are entered as applicable.
• Supporting documentation for each adjustment is included.

D. Deductions

• Standard deduction is correct for filing status, age, and blindness; enhanced deduction for seniors is applied if eligible.
• If itemizing, Schedule A is completed and attached; all deductions (medical, taxes, interest, charitable, casualty/theft, other) are supported by documentation.
• State and local tax deduction does not exceed the applicable limit ($40,000 MFJ/$20,000 MFS; subject to income phaseout).
• New deductions for tips, overtime, car loan interest, and enhanced senior deduction are reviewed and claimed if eligible (Schedule 1-A).

E. Tax and Credits

• Tax is calculated using the correct method (Tax Table, Tax Computation Worksheet, or other applicable worksheet).
• All applicable credits are claimed and supported (Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit, Credit for Other Dependents, Earned Income Credit, Education Credits, Retirement Savings Contributions Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit, Premium Tax Credit, Adoption Credit, etc.).
• All credit eligibility requirements are met (e.g., SSN requirements for CTC/ACTC/EIC, income limits, etc.).
• All required forms and schedules for credits are completed and attached (e.g., Schedule 8812, 8863, 8880, 2441, 8962, 8839).
• If claiming EIC, Schedule EIC is completed and attached if required; all qualifying child rules are met.
• If claiming education credits, Form 1098-T and supporting documentation are included.

F. Other Taxes (Schedule 2)

• Self-employment tax, unreported Social Security/Medicare tax, additional tax on IRAs/retirement plans, household employment taxes, repayment of first-time homebuyer credit, additional Medicare tax, net investment income tax, and other taxes are reported as applicable.
• All supporting forms (e.g., Schedule SE, Form 5329, Form 8959, Form 8960) are attached as needed.

G. Payments (Schedule 3)

• All federal income tax withheld (W-2, 1099, 1099-R, SSA-1099, etc.) is reported on lines 25a–25c.
• Estimated tax payments and amounts applied from prior year are reported on line 26.
• All refundable credits (EIC, ACTC, AOTC, PTC, etc.) are reported and supported.
• Excess Social Security/Medicare tax withheld is claimed if applicable.
• All supporting forms and schedules for payments and credits are attached.

H. Refund or Amount Owed

• Direct deposit information (routing and account numbers) is correct and matches the taxpayer’s account.
• If splitting refund, Form 8888 is completed and attached.
• If amount owed, payment options are reviewed with the taxpayer (Direct Pay, EFTPS, credit/debit card, check, installment agreement).
• If applying refund to next year’s estimated tax, the election is made on the return.

I. Signatures and Declarations

• Taxpayer (and spouse, if MFJ) have signed and dated the return.
• Preparer has signed and included PTIN, firm name, address, and phone number.
• If e-filing, Form 8879 is signed and retained as required.
• If paper filing, all required forms, schedules, and attachments are included in the correct order.

J. Attachments and Supporting Documents

• All Forms W-2, W-2G, 1099-R with withholding, and other forms showing federal tax withheld are attached to the front of the return (if paper filing).
• All required schedules and forms are attached in the correct order.
• All supporting documentation for credits, deductions, and adjustments is available and retained for records.
• If claiming certain credits (e.g., education, adoption), all required supporting documents are included.

K. Final Review

• All math is checked and correct; software calculations are verified.
• All Social Security Numbers, names, and addresses are correct and match supporting documents.
• All required questions (digital assets, health coverage, etc.) are answered.
• All “unsure” answers on intake/interview forms are resolved and changed to “yes” or “no.”
• All required due diligence checklists (e.g., Form 8867 for EIC, CTC, AOTC, HOH) are completed and retained.
• All required disclosures and consents are obtained and retained.
• Return is filed by the due date (April 15, 2026, for most taxpayers) or extension is filed (Form 4868).
• Copies of the return and all supporting documents are provided to the taxpayer and retained as required.