Tax preparation starts with organized records.

Start with the prior-year return, entity information, current-year income and expense records, payroll or contractor documents, estimated-tax payments, notices, and any major changes in ownership, operations, or filing status. We may ask for additional records after reviewing the return type and the condition of the books.

Business returns depend on reliable year-end books. Bank and credit-card accounts should be reconciled, owner transactions identified, loan balances supported, payroll and contractor totals reviewed, and major asset purchases documented. When cleanup is needed, it becomes a separate step with its scope and timing agreed before the filing deadline.

Preparation reports what happened during the tax year, while planning evaluates choices before a future deadline. We offer them together or separately; the engagement lists which planning questions are covered, what information is needed, when recommendations are delivered, and whether follow-up is included.

We identify the exact return, due date, available documents, missing records, and whether an extension makes sense. An extension changes the filing deadline, not the payment deadline, so estimated liability and payment questions still get prompt attention.