Tax Strategy Preparation
What to Bring to a Tax Strategy Consultation
A strategy session works best when it’s grounded in real numbers. This guide shows you exactly what to gather — and what you can skip — so your consultation focuses on decisions, not data hunting.
How to use this guide
- Gather what you already have — do not delay booking to be “perfect.”
- Note any gaps or unknowns; those become strategy discussion points.
- If something doesn’t apply, skip it.
1) Prior-Year Tax Returns (1–2 years)
- Most recent filed return (federal + state).
- Schedule C, K-1s, or business returns if applicable.
- Any amended returns filed recently.
These show your baseline — deductions taken, income mix, and structural choices.
2) Current-Year Financial Snapshot
- Year-to-date income (from bookkeeping or bank deposits).
- High-level expense totals by category.
- Profit estimate if available.
Clean books are helpful — rough numbers are still workable.
3) Business & Income Sources
- List of income streams (services, products, platforms).
- W-2 income (you or a spouse).
- 1099 income received or expected.
- Side projects or new offers started this year.
4) Entity Structure & Payments
- Current entity type (sole prop, LLC, S-Corp, partnership).
- Owner compensation method (draws, payroll, distributions).
- Estimated tax payments made (dates + amounts).
5) Major Changes & Goals
- Income growth or decline this year.
- Large purchases (equipment, vehicles, software).
- Hiring or contractors.
- Plans for expansion, scaling back, or lifestyle changes.
If you have crypto or digital asset activity
- List of exchanges and wallets used.
- Types of activity (trading, staking, NFTs, DeFi).
- Any cleanup already attempted (software used, gaps found).
You do not need perfect exports — clarity about activity is enough to plan.
What you don’t need to worry about
- Perfect categorization.
- Every receipt scanned.
- Knowing the “right” strategy already.
Strategy is about direction and decisions — not perfection.
Ready to turn this information into a plan?
A tax strategy consultation helps you understand where you stand, what options make sense, and what to do next — without pressure.