Small Business Tax Return Checklist
Use This Guide if Your Business Uses Accounting Software (Quickbooks, Quicken, etc.)
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Business Name / dba Name
Business Info: Telephone / Fax / Email addresses / Address
Tax Identification Number
Sales Tax Number
Names and addresses of all partners / Social Security Numbers
How will your accountant access your accounting software program? Quickbooks file transfers, secure
login to accounting system, etc.? List any user names or passcodes your tax professional will need.
FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS:
Almost all accounting software programs will allow you to print the following:
Year End Trial Balance
Year End Balance Sheet
Year End Income and Expense Statement
Year End Journals and Schedules. Examples would include:
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A/P and A/R Journals and Schedules for year-end
Owner/Office Accounts showing activity (withdrawals and investments) and year-end balances
Short-Term Loans showing activity and year-end balances
Long-Term Loans showing activity and year-end balances
Leaseholds showing activity and year-end balances
Year End Inventory List showing value at year-end
List of all Assets (If this is your first year tax return, you will need to provide date of purchase and price
paid). If this is not your first year, you should be able to print out a journal or schedule of all fixed assets
including tools, equipment, owned autos, buildings, land, signs, furniture and office/computer
equipment.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
Bank Statements with Year End Bank Reconciliation for all business accounts
Payroll backup:
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W-2 Wage Statements sent to all employees plus W-3 cover sheet
1099s sent to contract laborers
Other 1099 (1099-INT for example, etc.)
941 Quarterly Reports
State Wage Reports
Payroll Ledgers and Journals
State specific employee forms
940 FUTA form
Any outstanding payroll or taxes due at year-end but not paid
Asset purchases documentation – These would be copies of inventory purchased, autos, computers,
printers, etc. Your accountant may need to keep a copy of these on file at their office.
Health Insurance information – amounts paid by the company for owners and officers
Life Insurance Information – amounts paid by the company for owners and officers
Employee Retirement Plans – account information. You can get the details for these from your
retirement plan company in a year-end format showing all company matched donations, types of plans,
etc.
Copies of all loans (short and long-term and leases) signed during the tax year
Business credit card year end statements, activity for the year, interest paid, etc.
Copies of your incorporation documents – Your tax professional will want copies of your articles of
incorporation and bylaws to keep on file.
NOTE: Depending on your tax professional, more information may be requested.