Preparing for tax season starts with organized records and clear deadlines. An Enrolled Agent is federally authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS. This checklist can help you prepare for a tax appointment; required records and services depend on your circumstances and engagement. A credential does not guarantee deductions, an error-free return or a particular audit outcome.
Table of Contents
What to Bring to Your Tax Season Appointment
- Photo ID, SSNs/ITINs for you & dependents
- Last year’s federal & state returns
- Income forms: W-2, 1099-NEC/INT/DIV/B, K-1
- Rental records: leases, rents received, expenses
- Securities sales: Form 1099-B, if issued, and complete cost-basis and transaction records.
- Digital assets: Form 1099-DA, if issued for the applicable reporting year, plus complete transaction and basis records. Broker reporting and basis-reporting requirements differ by year; lack of an information form does not remove a reporting obligation.
- Deductions: mortgage 1098, property taxes
- Charity receipts & medical totals
- Education: Form 1098-T, tuition-payment records, scholarship information and other documents needed to evaluate education benefits.
- Student-loan interest: Form 1098-E, if issued, and supporting interest-payment records; eligibility and limits require separate review.
- Business: P&L, mileage log, payroll reports
- Health coverage forms 1095-A/C (if applicable)
Tax Season Filing Timeline
Confirm the filing deadlines, records needed, review schedule and any extension or estimated-payment requirements at the start of your engagement. Timely filing depends on complete documents, approvals and required signatures; an extension generally does not extend the deadline to pay.
Common Credits & Deductions to Explore
- Child Tax Credit, Dependent Care Credit
- Education: American Opportunity & Lifetime Learning
- Energy and vehicle credits depend on the tax year and transaction dates. Federal clean vehicle credits are not available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025; review IRS vehicle-credit rules for eligible earlier acquisitions. The home improvement credit ended for qualifying improvements after 2025.
- QBI for pass-through businesses
- Home office & accountable plan reimbursements
- Vehicle & depreciation (Sec. 179/bonus)
- Retirement contributions (IRA, SEP, Solo 401(k))
- Rental real estate expenses & travel logs
How an EA Supports Tax Season Preparation
- Plan: Review estimated taxes, withholding, applicable payment dates and entity options.
- Prepare: Clean, reconciled books; accurate returns; e-file
- Representation: Assess IRS notices and available payment or penalty-relief options with appropriate authorization; outcomes depend on eligibility and agency decisions.
- Optimize: Quarterly reviews and year-round guidance
Explore our related services: Tax Preparation • Bookkeeping • IRS Representation • Controller/CFO
FAQs
Why choose an Enrolled Agent for tax season?
EAs have broad practice rights before the IRS. Verify the practitioner's current credential, experience with your tax issues and engagement scope. Representation requires appropriate authorization. See IRS enrolled agent information.
Do I need perfect books before filing?
Discuss cleanup needs before preparing the return. Missing records or unresolved balances may affect timing and reliability; bookkeeping cleanup does not guarantee an audit outcome.
Can you help with back taxes or a payment plan?
We can assess IRS notices, back-tax issues, installment agreements and requests for penalty relief within an agreed engagement and with appropriate authorization. Eligibility and IRS approval are not guaranteed.
Ready for a Smooth Tax Season?
Schedule a consultation to discuss your documents, deadlines and tax questions. Confirm the assigned practitioner, fees and services before work begins.
Services: Tax Preparation • Bookkeeping • IRS Representation