Business tax preparation works better when the accounting handoff is organized. A tax accountant needs more than a bank balance: the records should explain what happened during the year and identify what still needs review. This checklist helps owners seeking small business tax preparation in Roswell, GA prepare for that conversation.
Identify the entity and its tax history
Bring formation information, prior returns and any tax-election correspondence. The letters “LLC” alone do not tell your preparer how the business has been treated for federal tax purposes. Explain ownership changes, new entities, new locations and whether you received any agency notices.
For tax preparation for LLCs and corporations, agree on which entity and owner returns are covered. The owner’s personal filing and the company’s filing should not be assumed to be a single engagement.
Prepare a reviewable accounting package
- Year-end financial reports and access to the underlying transaction detail.
- Bank and credit-card reconciliations, with unresolved differences listed.
- Payroll reports and information about payments to workers.
- Asset purchases, disposals, financing agreements and loan statements.
- Records of owner contributions, distributions, reimbursements and related-company transactions.
- Prior returns, payment confirmations and notices relevant to the filing.
The IRS explains that business records support financial statements and tax returns. A useful handoff connects summary reports to the records behind them.
Resolve questions without guessing
Create an open-items list with the transaction date, amount, account and question. For example, a payment might be a loan repayment, equipment purchase or owner transaction. Label it for review rather than forcing it into an expense category simply to finish the reports.
Ask who is responsible for cleanup entries and how approved adjustments will be reflected in the bookkeeping system. Otherwise, the return and next year’s opening records may be discussed using different numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Can preparation start if my books are behind?
Discuss the missing periods and available records first. Cleanup may need to be scoped separately, with a sequence for completing the accounting and then preparing the return.
Does a filing extension answer every timing question?
No. Ask separately about filing dates, estimated payments and any amount that may need to be paid. Have the preparer assess the actual entity and tax period rather than relying on a general calendar.
What determines the preparation fee?
Ask for a proposal based on entity structure, record condition, locations, transactions and the returns involved. A generic advertised starting price may not describe your engagement.
Make the handoff clear
Review business tax preparation and accounting support, then discuss your records with Alfa Plus CPA.
General information; the appropriate work depends on your circumstances. Official references checked October 21, 2026.