Start with the return you need prepared.
Some clients come with a straightforward personal return. Others have income from several sources, a change in their household, or records that are still arriving. The first step is identifying what belongs in your filing and what information is missing.
This is preparation for your actual situation, not an assumption that every client needs the same package or an ongoing advisory engagement.
Three ways to move your filing forward.
Individual tax return preparation
For your annual personal return, including a review of the documents and questions relevant to your circumstances.
Individual Tax ReturnsBusiness tax return preparation
For partnerships, LLCs, S corporations, and C corporations, plus sole proprietor activity reported on the owner's return.
Business Tax ReturnsTax extensions & extended returns
For a return that needs more time, from reviewing an extension request to completing the filing afterward.
Tax Extension Services
What the preparation conversation should cover.
Bring up changes as well as forms. A different employer, a new source of income, a move, or a change in your family can help explain why this year's records look different from last year's.
We use the initial conversation to define the work and the records needed. The engagement should also identify which federal and state returns are included, what still needs to be supplied, and how questions will be handled.
- The tax year and the personal or business returns you need prepared.
- The sources of income and major changes relevant to those returns.
- Any missing documents, notices, or approaching deadlines.
- The agreed service, fees, and next steps before preparation begins.
Filing season is not a reason to guess.
January is a useful time to begin organizing. It is not a reason to file with incomplete information. If a form is missing or an important question remains open, raise it early so the next step can be considered.
For most calendar-year federal individual returns, the regular deadline is April 15, adjusted when a weekend or legal holiday applies. Special relief can change a taxpayer's deadline. Always check the current IRS filing guidance rather than relying on a date from a previous year.
Know when preparation becomes a planning question.
A completed return may leave you asking why the balance changed, whether your withholding still fits, or what to do about income expected later in the year. Those questions belong in a separate tax advisory conversation.
Preparation and advisory can complement each other, but the work and fees should be agreed rather than assumed. The preparation-versus-planning guide explains the difference.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions you may have.
Do I need an advisory engagement to have my return prepared?
No. Individual tax preparation is a service on its own. Advisory work can be discussed separately when you have a planning question.
Can I inquire before all my documents arrive?
Yes. You can discuss the service and document requirements first. Tell us what is still outstanding so the filing timetable can be considered realistically.
Does personal tax preparation include my company's return?
A personal return and a company return are different pieces of work. Both can be prepared, and the engagement should name each return included. Bookkeeping and payroll are not included in return preparation.
Where can I find a preparation checklist?
Use the tax preparation appointment checklist as a starting point. The final document request will depend on your circumstances.