📋 Business Tax Return Checklist

Basic Business Information

✅Legal business name and DBA (if applicable)
✅EIN (Employer Identification Number)
✅Business address and contact info
✅Business entity type (LLC, Corporation, Partnership, etc.)
✅State of incorporation/formation and state tax ID
✅Prior year tax return
✅List of owners/partners/shareholders and % ownership
✅Date business started (or closed, if applicable)

Financial Statements

✅Year-end Income Statement (Profit & Loss)
✅Year-end Balance Sheet
✅Trial Balance report
✅General Ledger for the year
✅Statement of cash flows (if available)
✅Monthly or quarterly financials (for trend or audit)

Banking & Credit

✅Year-end bank statements for all business accounts
✅Bank reconciliation reports
✅Credit card statements and reconciliation
✅Loan statements with year-end balances
✅Loan agreements or new loan documents

Revenue Documentation

✅Sales summary reports
✅1099-K forms
✅Invoices issued or AR aging report
✅Gross receipts from sales or services
✅Any cash receipts not recorded in accounting software

Expense Documentation

✅Vendor bills or AP aging report
✅Receipts for major expenses
✅Advertising & marketing expenses
✅Insurance premiums (general, liability, workers comp)
✅Utilities, rent, office supplies
✅Meals and travel expenses
✅Software and subscription services
✅Continuing education or dues
✅Charitable contributions (if applicable)

Payroll & Compensation

✅Payroll summary report (annual)
✅W-2 and W-3 forms issued
✅941/944/940 forms filed during the year
✅1099-NEC or 1099-MISC forms for contractors
✅Employee benefit plan details
✅Owner draws, guaranteed payments, or shareholder salaries

Assets & Depreciation

✅Fixed asset list
✅New asset purchases or disposals during the year
✅Vehicle purchase, lease, and mileage logs
✅Depreciation schedules from prior years
✅Section 179 or bonus depreciation elections (if applicable)

Inventory (if applicable)

✅Beginning and ending inventory values
✅Inventory purchase reports
✅Cost of Goods Sold breakdown
✅Inventory write-downs or obsolete items

Other Income/Adjustments

✅Interest income statements
✅Dividends or investment income
✅Gain/loss on asset sales
✅Refunds or rebates
✅Business grants, PPP, or ERC credits received
✅Prior year carryforward losses or credits

State & Local Tax Information

✅State business tax returns filed
✅Franchise tax reports
✅Sales tax filings and payment records
✅Local gross receipts or B&O tax filings
✅Annual business license renewal records

Other Documentation

✅Signed engagement letter
✅IRS correspondence (notices, letters)
✅Any tax elections made (S-Corp election, etc.)
✅Ownership changes or capital contributions
✅Partnership agreements or operating agreements (if applicable)

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