Tax season delays are rarely caused by complex tax issues.
More often, they stem from missing documents — forms that taxpayers didn’t realize were required or assumed didn’t apply to them.

Below are five tax documents that are commonly overlooked and why each one matters. Reviewing these before you file can help ensure a smoother, more accurate tax return.

1. Form 1095-A

If you enrolled in health insurance through the Marketplace, Form 1095-A is required to reconcile premium tax credits. Filing without it can delay processing and trigger IRS notices. This form is available through your Healthcare.gov account.

2. IRS IP PIN

Taxpayers who have been issued an Identity Protection PIN must include it to e-file their return. Without the IP PIN, the IRS will reject the filing. This number can be accessed through IRS.gov.

3. 1099 Income Forms

Income reported on 1099s often comes from multiple sources and may arrive at different times. Common forms include:

  • 1099-NEC

  • 1099-MISC

  • 1099-INT

  • 1099-DIV

  • 1099-K

  • 1099-DA (digital assets)

Missing a 1099 can result in underreported income, IRS matching notices, penalties, or amended returns later.

4. Life Changes

Changes during the year — such as new dependents, custody adjustments, address or bank account changes, marriages, or expired IDs — can all affect a tax return and how refunds are issued. These updates are often overlooked but are critical for accurate filing.

5. Retirement Contributions

Contributions to IRAs, SEP plans, HSAs, and Solo 401(k)s made after year-end but before filing can still impact your tax outcome. These may be reported on Form 5498, which is often not mailed until May, making contribution records especially important to save.

At AFSG, our tax prep checklists are customized for each client to help ensure nothing is missed.
If you’re unsure whether a document applies to you, uploading it to the client portal allows us to review it and guide you appropriately.

Accurate filing starts with complete information!