If a bookkeeper keeps your books, much of the preparation is done. A return still needs three more things: the final version of those books, the documents behind the numbers that matter most, and answers only you can give.

1. The final version of the books

Ask your bookkeeper for the year's trial balance, profit and loss statement and balance sheet, run after the last reconciliation, and note the date they were run. Reports pulled in January and reports pulled after a February correction are different documents, and the return has to come from one of them. Note too whether the books are on the cash or accrual basis, because it changes what the P&L shows.

2. The documents behind the big numbers

  • December bank and card statements, plus any account opened or closed during the year, to tie the year-end balances.
  • Loan statements showing the year-end balance and the interest paid. A loan payment mixes principal and interest, and only the interest is an expense.
  • Invoices for equipment and other large purchases, with the date each was placed in service. Depreciation starts from that date.
  • The Forms 1099 the business received, such as 1099-NEC and 1099-K, to compare with recorded revenue.
  • Your payroll provider's year-end reports, if you have employees.
  • Last year's return, and any IRS or New Jersey notices received during the year.

3. The answers only you have

Your bookkeeper can see what a transaction was; often only you know what it was for. Expect questions about transfers between personal and business accounts, large purchases, vehicle and home-office use, and money you put into or took out of the business. They go faster as one list than one at a time.

4. Who changes the books after year-end

If the return needs year-end adjustments, agree in advance who records them. When I work alongside a client's bookkeeper, I propose each adjustment, the client approves it, the bookkeeper records it, and I confirm it reached the final ledger. Working with your existing bookkeeper has the full handoff checklist.

What happens next

To have me prepare the return from your bookkeeper's books, tell me the entity type, the year and the accounting system through the contact form. Don't send documents there. If work is offered, the written scope explains how they're exchanged.