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Year-End Tax Checklist: Documents Your CPA Will Ask For

As the year comes to a close, a little preparation now can save time, money, and stress later.

Meeting with your tax advisor before year-end is one of the smartest financial moves you can make—but only if you come prepared. Gathering the right documents ahead of time allows your advisor to identify tax-saving opportunities, avoid surprises, and make accurate recommendations before December 31.

Use the checklist below to ensure your year-end tax meeting is productive and efficient.

Personal Information & Life Changes

Start with the basics and any changes that occurred during the year.

  • Social Security numbers for you, your spouse, and dependents

  • Date of birth for any new dependents

  • Changes in marital status (marriage, divorce, or separation)

  • Address changes or residency changes

  • Birth or adoption records for children

  • Records of dependents no longer claimed

These details can impact filing status, credits, and deductions.

Income Documents

Bring records for all sources of income, even if taxes were not withheld.

  • W-2 forms from employers

  • 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC for contract or freelance work

  • 1099-INT and 1099-DIV for interest and dividends

  • K-1s from partnerships, S corporations, or trusts

  • Unemployment income statements

  • Social Security benefit statements

  • Rental income records

Missing income documents can lead to IRS notices and penalties, so completeness matters.

Business & Self-Employed Records

If you own a business or are self-employed, organization is especially important.

  • Year-to-date profit and loss statement

  • Balance sheet (if applicable)

  • Business bank and credit card statements

  • Payroll reports and payroll tax filings

  • Asset purchases or sales (equipment, vehicles, software)

  • Business mileage logs

  • Home office expense records

Accurate records help your advisor identify deductions and plan for estimated taxes.

Deduction & Expense Records

Proper documentation supports deductions and reduces audit risk.

  • Charitable contribution receipts

  • Medical and dental expenses

  • Childcare and dependent care expenses

  • Education costs and tuition statements (Form 1098-T)

  • Mortgage interest statements (Form 1098)

  • Property tax payments

  • Student loan interest statements

Even small expenses can add up to meaningful tax savings.

Investment & Retirement Information

End-of-year planning is critical for investment-related decisions.

  • Brokerage statements showing gains and losses

  • Records of stock, crypto, or other asset sales

  • Retirement account contributions (IRA, Roth, 401(k))

  • Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) confirmations

  • Rollovers or conversions completed during the year

These documents help your advisor evaluate tax-efficient strategies before year-end deadlines.

Prior-Year Tax Returns

Bring copies of your most recent tax returns if you’re a new client or if circumstances have changed.

  • Federal and state tax returns (last 1–2 years)

  • Prior-year carryforwards (capital losses, credits, NOLs)

Historical data often reveals planning opportunities that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Why Preparation Matters Before Year-End

Meeting with your tax advisor before December 31 allows time to:

  • Adjust withholding or estimated payments

  • Accelerate or defer income and deductions

  • Maximize retirement contributions

  • Avoid penalties and underpayment surprises

Waiting until tax season limits your options—planning now puts you in control.

Let’s Make Year-End Planning Easy

The right preparation makes your tax meeting more efficient and more valuable. If you’re unsure which documents apply to your situation, your tax advisor can help guide you.

Schedule your year-end tax planning meeting now to take advantage of opportunities before the year closes.

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CHRISTINA IMPERIOLI

Supervisor, CPA

Christina Imperioli is a Supervisor at Accavallo & Company, LLC, where she specializes in the preparation and review of individual and business tax returns across a variety of industries. With a focus on accuracy, client service, and technical expertise, she plays a key role in helping clients navigate complex tax matters.

She began her career as a Staff Accountant at The Innovative CPA Group, quickly rising through the ranks to Senior Accountant and ultimately Supervisor, demonstrating a strong commitment to professional growth and leadership.

Christina is a Certified Public Accountant and an active member of both the Connecticut Society of CPAs (CTCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Financial Accounting from Western Connecticut State University.

Throughout her career, she has worked with clients in the real estate, construction, and retail sectors, bringing valuable insight and industry-specific knowledge to every engagement.

Outside of work, she enjoys traveling with her husband and son, spending time with her three dogs—two rescues named Cole and Indigo, and a Brussels Griffon named Louie—and exploring local bookstores. Christina is a passionate reader and podcast enthusiast, she often listens to new episodes during her daily commute.

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Sherri Fisher is a Tax Manager at Accavallo & Company, LLC.  Sherri has longstanding expertise in Trust and Estate Taxation, Eldercare, and Estate planning. Sherri appreciates the relationships she has built with estate planning attorneys and advisors, to provide a team approach to assisting her clients. Sherri also has seasoned experience in business and individual taxation and is partial to assisting start-ups in developing overall accounting and operating plans.

Prior to joining Accavallo & Company, LLC, Sherri was a manager in a large firm, servicing high net worth trust clients, business, and personal clients. She was also a Partner in a large bookkeeping firm, which specialized in cloud accounting systems for regional and national companies. Sherri led a team in assisting clients to organize their accounting systems.  She is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University with a B.S. degree in Accounting.    

Sherri’s experience includes working with companies and organizations in a variety of industries including:

  • Investment Trusts

  • DAPT and Family Investment Partnerships

  • Estate and Probate Administration

  • E-Commerce

  • Manufacturing

  • Construction

  • Real Estate Investment

  • Marketing and Service-based industries

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Sherri is an Intuit Advanced Pro Advisor, Intuit Future Firm Advisory Board member, member of the Valley WIN Network, and proudly served as past Connecticut Public School liaison for the Yale Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer. Sherri enjoys time with her family, Cleveland sports, thrifting and gardening.