Good morning 👋
Tax year 2026
0
Income
sources
$0
Expenses
logged
0
Docs
missing
0%
ready
💼
Income
Sources & amounts
📋
Expenses
Deductions & receipts
To do
Tax documents
W-2, 1099s — amounts come from the form
Self-employment & business
Freelance, consulting, rental income
Other income
Tips, prizes, alimony, unemployment…
Gambling & lottery
Log sessions, W-2G forms, wins & losses
Retirement & investments
1099-R distributions · investment accounts
Home & property sale
Sold real estate? Capital gain · 1099-S
Social Security
SSA-1099
$0
Total meal expenses · 2026
$0
Est. deduction (50%)
0 meals logged 50% deductible under IRC §274
The IRS requires contemporaneous records for every business meal — meaning logged at or near the time of the meal, not reconstructed later. Each entry must include: amount, date, restaurant name, business purpose, and who attended.
For overnight business travel you can use the standard federal per diem for meals & incidentals instead of saving every receipt. Log each trip's destination and days away — your preparer applies the current GSA rate for that location. Meals are normally 50% deductible; transportation workers under DOT hours-of-service rules use the special rate at 80%. Lodging still needs actual receipts.
0
Total travel days · 2026
0 trips
Destination (city, state)
Departed
Returned
Business purpose
IRS session method required. Per Rev. Proc. 2015-29, recreational gamblers must track winnings and losses by session — not hand-by-hand or spin-by-spin. A session begins when you start play and ends when you stop. Log each session separately. Losses are deductible only on Schedule A if you itemize, and only up to the amount of your winnings.
$0
Total winnings
$0
Total losses
$0
Net
Casinos and sportsbooks issue Form W-2G for winnings over certain thresholds ($1,200 slots/bingo, $1,500 keno, $5,000 poker tournaments). Upload each W-2G — these are reported separately and withholding appears on line 17.
The space must be used regularly and exclusively for business. A dedicated office room qualifies. A kitchen table used sometimes does not. This gets confirmed eligibility — log your details and let them calculate the deduction.
The larger deduction method will be used. Log your measurements now — they're needed for both methods.
Simplified
$5 per sq ft · max 300 sq ft · max $1,500/year · no depreciation
Regular (actual)
Business % × actual home expenses · often larger · requires Form 8829
Both methods are calculated — the larger deduction applies.
Office room sq ft
sq ft
Total home sq ft
sq ft
Type of space
The home office deduction applies to a specific business or rental property. If you have multiple, add a separate home office entry for each.
This home office is for
The business-use percentage is multiplied by these totals to calculate the regular method deduction. Log annual amounts for 2026.
Depreciation note: The regular method includes a depreciation deduction for the portion of your home used for business. This reduces your cost basis and may result in depreciation recapture when you sell. This is calculated this — you don't need to do anything. Just know it exists.
0 mi
Total deductible miles · all vehicles · 2026
$0
Est. deduction at IRS rates
2026 IRS standard mileage rates: $0.70/mi business · $0.21/mi medical · $0.14/mi charity. Just log your miles — rates are applied automatically.
Key tax datesDeadlines & reminders
Federal & state quarterlyNext due
Filing extensionForm 4868
Last year's returnReview items
Keep a running list of questions for your tax preparer or tax software. Jot them down as you think of them, then check them off once you've asked. Nothing here is sent automatically — it's your personal prep list.
Life & tax changes14 questions
Deductions and credits reduce what you owe. Add the ones that apply — your preparer or software confirms eligibility.
DependentsAdd children & dependents
Tax creditsFind credits
Schedule A — itemizedMortgage · SALT · charity
Above-the-lineStudent loan · educator
Health & medicalSE premiums · Medicare
HSAHealth savings account
Retirement contributionsIRA · SEP-IRA · Solo 401k
Home improvements & basisCapital improvements
Self-employed health insurance is above-the-line. If you have Schedule C, S-corp, or partnership income, premiums paid for yourself, your spouse, and dependents are fully deductible on Schedule 1 — no itemizing required. This is often the most valuable deduction self-employed people miss.
Medical / hospitalization premiums
Monthly or annual total you pay
$
Dental insurance premiums
For yourself, spouse, and dependents
$
Vision insurance premiums
For yourself, spouse, and dependents
$
Long-term care insurance premiums
Age-based limits apply — preparer calculates
$
Did you purchase insurance through an ACA Marketplace?
Marketplace plans reconcile via Premium Tax Credit (Form 8962) — different treatment from employer or private plans
Eligibility reminder
You have net profit from Schedule C, S-corp wages, or partnership income
Neither you nor your spouse were eligible for employer-sponsored coverage
Deduction cannot exceed your net self-employment income for the year
Medicare Part B, Part D, and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) premiums qualify as medical expenses. If you are self-employed, they may be deductible on Schedule 1. Otherwise they go on Schedule A, subject to the 7.5% AGI floor.
Medicare Part B premiums
Standard 2026 premium: $185.00/mo
$
Medicare Part D premiums
Prescription drug plan
$
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Supplemental coverage premiums
$
Schedule A medical expenses are only deductible to the extent they exceed 7.5% of your AGI. Log everything — your preparer or software applies the floor. If you don't itemize, these don't help directly, but they're still worth tracking in case you're close to the threshold.
Estimated 2026 AGI
Used to calculate 7.5% floor — estimate is fine
$
Enter your estimated AGI above to see how much of your medical expenses are deductible.
Capital improvements increase your cost basis — reducing taxable gain when you sell. A $50,000 renovation on a home you bought for $500,000 means you're taxed as if you paid $550,000. Log every improvement now so records aren't lost at sale.
Primary home — cost basis
Purchase price
$
Purchase date
Closing costs (added to basis)
$
Estimated current value
$
Primary home exclusion: up to $250,000 of gain tax-free (single) or $500,000 (married filing jointly), if you lived in the home 2 of the last 5 years before sale.
What qualifies as a capital improvement?
Adds to basis: room additions, new roof, HVAC system, new kitchen, bathroom remodel, deck, fence, landscaping, pool, electrical upgrade, windows, solar (if installed before Dec 31, 2025 — credit has expired)
Does not add to basis: painting, repairs that restore to original condition, appliance replacements (unless installed permanently), cleaning
A repair that materially adds to value or adapts the home to a new use does qualify. Keep all contractor invoices and permits — these are your proof if audited at sale.
Log clothing, household goods, and other non-cash gifts as you donate them, and keep each receipt. Once your yearly total tops $500, the IRS needs the details on Form 8283 — your preparer completes it from this log.
Review what you've entered in the app this year. Confirm, update, or archive each item — confirmed items carry forward, archived items are removed.
An extension gives you more time to FILE — not more time to PAY. If you expect to owe taxes, you must estimate and pay by April 15, 2026 to avoid a late-payment penalty (0.5% per month). An unpaid balance still accrues interest from April 15.
Extends your filing deadline to October 15, 2026
Automatic 6-month extension — no reason required, no IRS approval needed
Protects you from the failure-to-file penalty
5% per month without an extension — up to 25% of unpaid tax. The extension eliminates this entirely if you file by October 15
Extends deadlines for SEP-IRA and Solo 401(k) contributions
If you file an extension, your employer retirement contribution deadline also extends to October 15
Does NOT extend the payment deadline
Taxes owed must be paid by April 15, 2026. Underpayment accrues interest at the federal rate (currently ~8% annually) from April 15 regardless of when you file
K-1 not received yet
Partnerships, S-corps, and trusts often send Schedule K-1 late — sometimes in September. An extension lets you wait for the correct figures.
Out of the country on April 15
You automatically get until June 16, 2026 if outside the US — but an extension gives you until October 15.
Complex return with many moving parts
Rental properties, business income, foreign accounts, and large capital transactions often need more time to get right.
Life event or hardship
Death of a spouse, illness, natural disaster, or other major event. The IRS has penalty relief provisions for reasonable cause.
Waiting for amended or corrected 1099
Brokerages sometimes issue corrected 1099s in February or March — filing early and then amending is more work than extending.
1
Your preparer or tax software files it electronically
The easiest way. Tell your preparer you want to extend and they handle it. Most software also files 4868 automatically with a single click.
2
File directly at IRS.gov/payments using IRS Direct Pay
Make a payment and select "Extension" as the reason — this automatically files your 4868 and submits your payment in one step.
3
Mail a paper Form 4868 (postmarked by April 15)
Download from IRS.gov/Form4868. Must be postmarked, not received, by April 15. Keep your certified mail receipt.
Answer Yes or No to each question. Your preparer or tax software sees your answers before filing — these flag situations that require extra forms or change how your return is prepared. Answer for the 2026 tax year.
Your profile
First name
Middle initial
Last name
Email
Phone
Tax year
Marital status
State of residence
Dependents
None added
Occupation — your primary job title
Used on your 1040 and to identify applicable deductions — tips deduction, educator expenses, union dues, etc.
Spouse occupation
Date of birth
You
Document reminders
Monthly reminder if uploads are missing
Deadline alerts
April 15 countdown at 30, 14, and 7 days
Payment reminders
Quarterly estimated payment alerts
Weekly progress
Friday summary of what still needs attention
Dark mode
Off — using system default
App lock
Off — your data is stored unencrypted on this device
Back up my data
No backup yet — your data lives only on this device
Restore from backup
Replaces everything in the app with a backup file
Delete my account
Your tax data is stored only on this device — clearing browser data or losing the device loses it. The backup file contains everything you've entered (including any dependent SSNs), so store it somewhere safe and private.
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
I'm Tax Ready · imtaxready.com
Version 1.0 · Tax year 2026
Privacy Policy · Terms of Service
Up to 85% of your Social Security benefits may be taxable depending on your combined income. This is calculated the exact taxable portion — just upload your SSA-1099 and answer the questions below.
The Social Security Administration mails Form SSA-1099 each January showing your total benefits for the prior year. It's also available at ssa.gov under "My Social Security."
Upload SSA-1099
Available from ssa.gov or mailed in January
Total benefits received in 2026 (Box 5 of SSA-1099)
$
This is the gross benefit before Medicare premiums are deducted.
Did you also receive benefits for a spouse?
Were Medicare Part B or D premiums deducted from your benefit?
Shown on SSA-1099 as deductions — you.ll need this for Form 8962 and Schedule A medical expenses.
0% taxable
Combined income under $32,000 (MFJ) or $25,000 (single)
Up to 50% taxable
Combined income $32,000–$44,000 (MFJ) or $25,000–$34,000 (single)
Up to 85% taxable
Combined income over $44,000 (MFJ) or $34,000 (single)
Combined income = adjusted gross income + non-taxable interest + ½ of Social Security benefits. This is calculated exactly from your complete return.
Itemized deductions replace the standard deduction ($15,750 single / $31,500 MFJ). You itemize only when your total Schedule A deductions exceed the standard amount. With the higher SALT cap ($40,000) under the OBBBA, more homeowners may benefit from itemizing.
Primary home mortgage interest
From Form 1098 — Box 1. Interest on loans up to $750,000 ($1M for loans before Dec 16, 2017).
$
Second home / rental mortgage interest
Additional Form 1098. Combined with primary — subject to same loan limit.
$
Points paid on home purchase or refinance
Box 6 of Form 1098. Fully deductible in year paid for purchase; amortized over loan term for refinance.
$
Form 1098 — mortgage interest statement
SALT cap: $40,000 (OBBBA) — up from $10,000. Phases out above $500,000 MAGI. Reverts to $10,000 in 2030.
State income tax paid this year
CA SDI, state withholding from W-2, and estimated payments made
$
Real estate / property taxes paid
Annual property tax bills — all properties combined
$
Vehicle license / registration fees
CA VLF (vehicle license fee) — only the value-based portion qualifies
$
Did you buy or refinance a home this year?
Your Closing Disclosure (or settlement statement) lists deductible items — prepaid mortgage interest paid at closing, points, and property taxes.
Cash donations
Check, credit card, online giving. Keep acknowledgment for any single gift ≥ $250.
$
Non-cash donations
Clothing, household goods, vehicle, securities. Tracked in your donation log — the yearly total flows here automatically.
Total from donation log
$0
Investment interest expense — Form 4952
Interest on money borrowed to buy taxable investments (e.g. a margin loan). Deductible up to your net investment income — your preparer applies the Form 4952 limit.
$
These deductions appear on Schedule 1 and reduce your Adjusted Gross Income whether or not you itemize. They're often more valuable than Schedule A deductions because a lower AGI also unlocks other credits and deductions that phase out with income.
Did you pay interest on student loans this year?
Deduct up to $2,500 of interest paid on qualified student loans. Phases out at $75,000–$90,000 MAGI (single) or $155,000–$185,000 (MFJ). Cannot be claimed if someone else claims you as a dependent.
Form 1098-E is issued by your loan servicer if you paid more than $600 in interest. For federal loans, download at studentaid.gov → your loan servicer's portal.
Are you a K-12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, aide, coach, or interscholastic sports administrator?
Eligible educators working at least 900 hours in a school year deduct the first $350 ($700 if both spouses qualify) of out-of-pocket classroom expenses above-the-line — no itemizing required. New under the OBBBA for 2026: any amount above that cap is deductible on Schedule A as a miscellaneous itemized deduction (not subject to the 2% floor) if you itemize, and coaches and interscholastic sports administrators now qualify.
Keep receipts for all qualifying purchases. The deduction applies only to the school year — personal use items do not qualify even if used in the classroom.
When was your divorce or separation agreement originally executed?
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) changed the alimony rules effective January 1, 2019. The date of your original agreement — not when payments are made — determines the tax treatment.
Rental expenses go on Schedule E and offset your rental income. Track every dollar spent on the property — depreciation alone (calculated from the purchase price) is often the single largest deduction and requires no cash outlay.
Property address
Days rented in 2026
Days personal use
No expenses yet. Tap + Add to log your first rental expense.
Depreciation — calculated automatically by your preparer or software
Residential rental property is depreciated over 27.5 years using the straight-line method. Your preparer calculates this from the building's cost basis (purchase price minus land value).
Property purchase price
$
Estimated land value
$
Dependents affect your Child Tax Credit, Child & Dependent Care Credit, Earned Income Credit, filing status, and whether certain deductions apply. Enter each person who qualifies — your preparer or software determines who qualifies based on IRS rules.
Do any of your dependents have investment income that may need to be reported on your tax return under the Kiddie Tax rules?
HSAs have the best tax treatment of any account: contributions are tax-deductible (or pre-tax via payroll), growth is tax-free, and qualified withdrawals are tax-free. Unlike FSAs, unused balances roll over indefinitely. After age 65 you can withdraw for any reason — effectively a second IRA.
Are you enrolled in an HSA-eligible High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)?
2026 HDHP minimums: $1,650 deductible (self) or $3,300 (family). You must be enrolled in an HDHP to contribute to an HSA.
Coverage type
2026 contribution limit $4,300
Self-only HDHP · +$1,000 catch-up if age 55+
Pre-tax payroll HSA contributions are already on your W-2 (Box 12, code W) — your preparer reads them from there. Just enter any contributions you made directly below.
Direct contributions (post-tax, then deducted)
Contributions made directly to your HSA custodian — deductible on Schedule 1. Deadline: April 15, 2026
$
Deadline: April 15, 2026 — you can still contribute for 2026
Enter contributions above to see your progress toward the limit.
Current HSA balance
Total in your HSA — cash + investments. Available on your HSA custodian's website or app.
$
Investment tip: Most HSA custodians let you invest your balance in mutual funds or ETFs once it exceeds a threshold (often $1,000–$2,000). Tax-free growth compounds significantly over time — treat your HSA balance like a long-term investment, not a spending account.
Track which expenses you paid from your HSA. Qualified withdrawals are completely tax-free. Keep receipts indefinitely — there's no time limit on when you can reimburse yourself for old receipts, as long as the expense was incurred after the HSA was established.
Documents your preparer or software needs
W-2Box 12 code W — employer HSA contributions (already excluded from wages)
5498-SATotal contributions for the year — issued by your HSA custodian by May 31
1099-SATotal distributions (withdrawals) for the year — only issued if you took money out
IRA deadline: April 15, 2026. SEP-IRA and Solo 401k deadlines extend to your tax filing deadline including extensions (October 15 if you file an extension). These are some of the last tax strategies available after December 31.
Plan type
SEP-IRA: Contribute up to 25% of net self-employment compensation, max $70,000. Easiest to set up — open at any broker. Deadline: tax filing date including extensions. 100% employer (you) funded. No employee contributions. Ideal for high-income sole proprietors.
Net self-employment income
Schedule C net profit after expenses, before SE tax deduction — used to calculate your contribution limit
$
Contribution made or planned for 2026
Can be made up to your filing deadline — doesn't have to be December 31
$
SEP-IRA deadline: Tax filing date including extensions (October 15, 2026 if you file Form 4868). The plan must also be established by this date. You can open and fund a SEP-IRA the day you file.
Spouse IRA
Same limits apply
Non-working spouse can contribute if MFJ
Roth income limit (MFJ)
Phases out $236k–$246k
Above $246,000: no Roth contribution allowed
Traditional deductibility
Depends on plan & income
Deductible amount is calculated from your full return
Enter amounts contributed or planned. Enter these on Schedule 1 (Traditional deductible) or Form 8606 (Roth / non-deductible).
You — Traditional IRA
$
Under age 50: $7,000 / Age 50+: $8,000
You — Roth IRA
$
Combined with Traditional: total cannot exceed limit
Spouse — Traditional IRA (spousal)
$
Separate limit from you
Spouse — Roth IRA (spousal)
$
Combined with spouse's Traditional
Whether you or your spouse are covered by a workplace retirement plan (401k, 403b, pension) determines if your Traditional IRA contribution is deductible.
Are you covered by a workplace plan?
Is your spouse covered by a workplace plan?
Credits reduce your tax bill dollar-for-dollar — more valuable than deductions. Answer each question honestly. If you answer Yes, you may be eligible and will be prompted for more information or a document upload.
I'm Tax Ready · tap any tab or card to navigate