You don't need a universal checklist. For simple tax situations, gather your W-2, mortgage statement, and bank interest statements. Keep any mail marked as an important tax document, and tax software will prompt you for what else you need.
What documents do I need to file my taxes? There's not a magic list. For someone who has a very simple situation who's looking to DIY your tax returns, you likely are going to have a W-2, maybe a mortgage statement, interest from the bank. If you are DIYing it and using some sort of tax software to do your taxes, the software is going to prompt you on the questions. Ultimately, I would say as a general rule, when you get a letter in the mail that says important tax document on it, feel free to save that. Hey, remember, At the end of the day, the IRS is not your friend. We are. Let's help you keep as much money in your pocket as possible. Come on.
