Which tax forms should I expect this year?

Why these forms matter

People and organizations that paid you during the year generally have to report those payments to the IRS on an information return, and send a copy to you. The IRS receives its copy too, so the forms you get are the same records the IRS will compare with your return.

That is why a missing form is worth chasing: if a payer reported income to the IRS and it is not on your return, the difference can lead to a letter from the IRS later.

Forms about wages

If you worked as an employee, expect a Form W-2 from each employer you had during the year, including a job you left. It shows your wages and the taxes withheld. A corrected W-2 (Form W-2c) replaces one that had a mistake.

For the 2026 tax year, employers must furnish Forms W-2 to employees by February 1, 2027 (the usual January 31 date falls on a Sunday).

The 1099 family

Forms 1099 report other kinds of income. The IRS lists these as the most common:

• Form 1099-NEC — pay for freelance or independent contractor work. For 2026, it is also due to you by February 1, 2027.
• Form 1099-INT — interest from banks and brokers.
• Form 1099-DIV — dividends and distributions.
• Form 1099-K — payments from payment cards and online marketplaces.
• Form 1099-G — government payments such as unemployment benefits.
• Form 1099-R — distributions from retirement plans, pensions or annuities.
• Form SSA-1099 — Social Security benefits.
• Form 1099-MISC — other miscellaneous income.

Other forms you may receive

Form W-2G reports gambling winnings. Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, comes to people who had Marketplace coverage. A partnership, S corporation or trust you have a share in sends a Schedule K-1, which can arrive later than the other forms.

Some forms relate to deductions and credits rather than income. Form 1098 reports mortgage interest you paid, which matters if you itemize deductions. Form 1098-T reports tuition and Form 1098-E reports student loan interest; both can matter for education credits and deductions.

When they arrive

The IRS says you should get these forms electronically or by mail in January or February. Brokerage statements and K-1s can come later, and a payer can send a corrected form after the original.

Look for forms in your online accounts too: banks, brokers and payroll providers often post them there instead of mailing them.

Build your own list

The easiest way to know what to expect is last year: look at the forms you received then, and note what changed this year — a new job, a closed account, a new brokerage account, a side business, a move.

Your IRS wage and income transcript is another check. It lists the information returns filed with the IRS under your number, generally from the first week in February. See our guide to IRS transcripts.