New Client Checklist
What to gather before your first call with a tax advisor — ours or anyone else's. Free, on this page, no email required.
Tax history
- Last 2–3 years of filed tax returns (business and personal)
- Any open or recent IRS or state notices
- Prior-year quarterly estimated payment confirmations
Entity & business documents
- Articles of organization/incorporation and operating agreement or bylaws
- EIN confirmation letter
- Prior S-corp election (Form 2553) if one was filed
- Ownership/partnership agreements, if more than one owner
Bookkeeping & financial records
- Current-year profit and loss statement and balance sheet
- Bank and credit card statements for business accounts
- Access to your bookkeeping software (QuickBooks, Xero, or similar)
- For inventory-heavy businesses: your inventory system's cost-of-goods-sold report
Payroll & contractors
- Payroll provider name and access, if you have employees
- 1099 contractor list and payment totals for the year
- Reasonable-salary documentation, if you're already an S-corp
Assets & purchases
- Records of major equipment or vehicle purchases this year
- Mileage log, if you deduct business vehicle use
- Retirement plan statements (SEP-IRA, Solo 401(k), or similar)
This is a general checklist — your industry may call for additional documents (see your industry page for specifics). Nothing here needs to be perfect before you reach out; we'll help fill in the gaps. Need a blank W-9 to send a contractor, or any other current form? See our IRS Forms & Resources page.
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