Financial

Business Tax Returns Checklist

Bring as many of these documents as possible to ensure a complete and accurate business tax return. If you have questions about items not listed, let our professionals know so we can help maximize your tax benefits.

BUSINESS INFORMATION

  • Legal business name, DBA, and EIN
  • Entity type & formation documents (Articles of Incorporation/Organization, Partnership or
  • Operating Agreement)
  • Business address, phone, and email
  • Ownership percentages and shareholder/partner basis schedules
  • Prior year federal, state, and local business tax returns
  • Prior year depreciation schedules (Form 4562)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & ACCOUNTING RECORDS

  • Year end Profit & Loss (Income Statement)
  • Year end Balance Sheet
  • General ledger/trial balance (or access to bookkeeping software)
  • Bank and credit card statements for the fiscal year
  • Reconciliation reports for all cash and credit accounts

INCOME DOCUMENTATION

  • Forms 1099 K (payment processors such as Stripe, Square, PayPal)
  • Forms 1099 NEC / 1099 MISC received (services, rents, royalties)
  • Sales registers or customer invoices for all revenue streams
  • Inventory reports and year end physical count
  • Forms 1099 INT / 1099 DIV (interest & dividend income)
  • Gain/loss details for asset sales (supporting Form 4797)

OTHER DOCUMENTS

  • Shareholder or partner health insurance & fringe benefit details
  • Home office expense worksheet (square footage & expenses)
  • Asset disposition details (date sold, proceeds, adjusted

EXPENSE DOCUMENTATION

  • Purchase invoices & receipts for Cost of Goods Sold
  • Detailed payroll reports and Forms W 3/W 2 copies
  • Forms 941/944 & state payroll returns filed during the year
  • Copies of 1099s issued to contractors and Form 1096
  • Rent or lease agreements and payment records
  • Utilities, telephone, and internet bills
  • Business insurance policy statements & premiums paid
  • Advertising & marketing invoices/receipts
  • Travel, meals, and entertainment logs (dates, amounts, business purpose)
  • Vehicle mileage logs and/or actual expense records
  • Business loan & interest statements
  • Professional fees (legal, accounting, consulting)
  • Supplies, office expenses, software subscriptions
  • Charitable contributions made by the business
  • Retirement plan contributions & plan statements (SEP, SIMPLE, 401(k))
  • Health insurance premiums paid on behalf of owners/employees
  • Qualified business property purchases with date & cost (Section 179/Bonus depreciation)

CREDITS, ADJUSTMENTS & SPECIAL ITEMS

  • Research & development (R&D) expense detail
  • Energy efficient property or clean commercial vehicle documents
  • Employer credits (Paid Family & Medical Leave, Work Opportunity Credit, etc.)
  • PPP/EIDL or other disaster relief loan or grant documentation
  • Documentation for state/local incentives and tax credits
  • Estimated tax payments (dates & amounts)
  • Foreign bank and financial account information (FBAR/FATCA)
  • State & local sales tax filings and payment summaries
  • Nexus information for multi state operations

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