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Tax Prep Readiness Guide

Everything you need to gather before tax season. No more scrambling — be prepared and stress-free when filing time comes.

📁 Documents You'll Need

Gather these documents before meeting with your accountant or CPA. The more organized you are, the faster (and cheaper) your tax prep will be.

Income Documents

Profit & Loss statement (full year)
All 1099 forms received (1099-NEC, 1099-K, 1099-MISC)
Bank statements for all business accounts (12 months)
Payment processor reports (Stripe, Square, PayPal, etc.)
Any other income documentation

Expense Documents

Credit card statements (12 months)
Receipts for major business purchases
Vehicle mileage log (if using business vehicle)
Home office measurements and expenses (if applicable)
Insurance premium statements
Loan statements and interest paid
Software and subscription receipts
Marketing and advertising expenses
Professional development and training costs

Payroll & Contractor Documents

W-2s for employees
1099s you issued to contractors (for payments of $600+)
Payroll tax reports (quarterly and annual)
State unemployment tax filings

Other Important Items

Previous year's tax return
EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Estimated tax payments made during the year
Any correspondence from the IRS or state tax authority
Business license and registration documents
Sales tax reports (if applicable)

📅 Tax Prep Timeline

January

Gather all documents. Issue 1099s to contractors by January 31.

February

Review your books for accuracy. Make sure everything is reconciled through December 31.

March

Meet with your CPA or accountant. Review your P&L and Balance Sheet.

April 15

Tax filing deadline (or file an extension). Make any final estimated payments.

🚫 Common Tax Prep Mistakes

Waiting until April to start organizing
Missing deductions because expenses weren't categorized properly
Forgetting to issue 1099s to contractors
Not separating personal and business expenses
Skipping estimated quarterly tax payments
Not reconciling books before handing them to your CPA

Want to be tax-ready all year long?

When I handle your books, tax prep becomes a breeze. Your books are always reconciled, categorized, and ready to hand to your CPA. No scrambling, no stress.

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