Forms to Keep

What forms are important to keep that financial institutions may not? I had the nasty experience of not having original cost basis info for some company stock (multiple acquisitions, financial institution transfers, etc) and I don't want to be caught off guard again not having saved a form I should have.

Relevant Info:

  • Traditional IRA (nearly $200k) - composed of actual contributions ($7k/year or whatever it was at the time + 401k rollovers)
  • Roth IRA (nearly $280k) - same note as traditional
  • 401k ($125k)
  • Brokerage - nearly $500k
  • Company Stock (some from an acquisition) - about $40k

I think (please correct me)

  1. Cost basis for brokerage and company stock, especially the acquisition. I'll need this for taxes when I sell. Right now most likely retirement age for the brokerage.

  2. 5498s if I plan to sell the Roth before retirement age

Anything else? I may opt to retire early if my finances are looking like it/I don't mind living lean, so don't want that off the table forms-wise.

Posted Feb 15, 2026, 3:15 AM UTC

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