The IRS officially opened tax season on January 27, 2026 — which means it’s time to start pulling your documents together. One of the most common reasons returns get delayed isn’t complexity; it’s missing paperwork. Showing up prepared saves you time, saves you money, and gets your refund moving faster.

Sherry Hickey at Surfside Tax & Accounting Services put together this checklist so Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach residents know exactly what to bring.

Personal Information

• Social Security numbers for yourself, your spouse, and any dependents
• Date of birth for all individuals on the return
• A copy of last year’s federal and South Carolina state tax returns
• Bank account and routing number for direct deposit of your refund

Income Documents

• W-2 — from every employer during 2025
• 1099-NEC — freelance, contract, or gig work income
• 1099-MISC — rental income, prizes, or miscellaneous income
• 1099-INT — bank interest income
• 1099-DIV — dividend income from investments
• 1099-B — proceeds from stock or investment sales
• 1099-SSA — Social Security benefits received
• 1099-R — retirement account distributions
• Schedule K-1 — if you are a partner in a business or trust

Deduction Records

• Form 1098 — mortgage interest statement
• Property tax payment records
• Charitable donation receipts — cash and non-cash
• Medical and dental expense records
• Form 1098-E — student loan interest paid

Health Insurance & Retirement

• Form 1095-A — marketplace health insurance
• IRA contribution records for 2025 (you can contribute until April 15, 2026)
• HSA contribution and distribution records

Self-Employment & Business Income

• All business income records — even income with no 1099 is taxable
• Business expense records: supplies, software, equipment, mileage, home office
• Estimated tax payment records — amounts and dates paid in 2025

Life Changes That Affect Your Return

Let Sherry know if any of the following happened in 2025:

• Marriage or divorce
• Birth or adoption of a child
• You bought or sold a home
• You started or closed a business
• You retired or began taking Social Security
• You received an IRS notice

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