Checklists
What to bring
Pick the checklist that fits your situation and gather what's on it. Bring copies to the office or send them through the secure upload link. You don't need everything on every list. If something isn't clear, call me before you start digging.
Prints the checklists without the menu and footer.
Keep sensitive numbers out of email. Don't send Social Security numbers, full bank or card account numbers, or passwords by email, in the contact form, or in a text. Ask me for a secure upload link, or bring the papers to the office.
Individual return
For a personal Form 1040, with or without a spouse.
- Photo ID for you and your spouseA driver's license or passport works.
- Last year's federal return, with all schedulesBring it even if you filed it yourself.
- Social Security numbers for you, your spouse and each dependentGive these in person or through the secure upload link, not by email.
- Every W-2, and every 1099 you receivedThat includes 1099-INT, DIV, B, R, NEC, MISC, K and SSA-1099.
- Form 1098 mortgage interest statements and your property tax bills
- Form 1095-A if you had Marketplace health insuranceBring any other health coverage forms you received.
- HSA forms: 1099-SA and 5498-SA
- Childcare provider's name, address and taxpayer ID numberNeeded for the child and dependent care credit. Send the ID through the secure upload link.
- Charitable receiptsFor any single gift of $250 or more, you need a written acknowledgment from the charity.
- Records of estimated tax payments you made during the year
- Routing and account number for your refund depositThrough the secure upload link or in person, not by email.
- Any letters from the IRS or the Texas Comptroller
Business return
For a partnership, LLC, S corporation or C corporation.
- Formation papers and the IRS letter confirming your EIN
- Year-end profit and loss statement and balance sheetOr your QuickBooks file, if it's current.
- Bank and credit card statements for the whole yearFor every business account and card.
- Payroll reports: Forms 941 and 940, W-2 totals, and Texas Workforce Commission reports
- Forms 1099 you issued, and any 1099s you received for the business
- A list of equipment and vehiclesWith purchase dates and costs, so depreciation can be figured.
- Loan statements, with the interest paid during the year
- Ownership percentages, and any ownership changes during the year
- Last year's business return and Texas franchise tax report
- Owner draws and contributions for the year, with dates
IRS or Comptroller letter
Bring the letter as soon as you get it. Response dates are often 30 days out.
- Every page of the letterInclude the notice number and the response date printed on it.
- The return the letter is about, if you have it
- Any reply you already sent, and proof that it was mailed
- Records that back up your side1099s, brokerage statements, receipts or bank statements for the year in question.
- Photo ID, if you want me to speak for you
- Your questions, written downA short list helps a first call go faster.
Bookkeeping catch-up
For a business that is behind on its books, or a QuickBooks file that needs cleanup.
- Bank statements for every business accountStarting with the first month you need to rebuild.
- Credit card statements for every card used for the business
- Access to your QuickBooks or other accounting file, or a backup of it
- Sales records and invoices, and any sales tax reports you filed
- Payroll reports for the same period
- Receipts you still have, in any formPhotos are fine through the secure upload link.
- Loan statements, and records of equipment or vehicle purchases
- A list of owner contributions and draws, with dates
New business
For a business you are about to start. Call before you file anything with the state.
- A paragraph on the businessWhat you sell, who buys it, and when you plan to start.
- A rough first-year budgetExpected sales, costs, and what you need to live on.
- The owners and their planned ownership split, if there's more than one
- Startup costs you have already paid, with receipts
- Any lease, loan or franchise agreement you're consideringBring a copy before you sign it.
- Last year's personal returnSo the plan covers your whole picture, not just the business.
Have a question that's been bugging you?
Call and ask. The first conversation is free, and you'll talk with me, not a call center.