{"id":2905,"date":"2025-03-30T13:21:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-30T21:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.huddlestontaxcpas.com\/CPA%20Article\/cpa-checklist-what-to-bring-to-your-first-meeting\/"},"modified":"2025-04-01T16:33:07","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T00:33:07","slug":"cpa-checklist-what-to-bring-to-your-first-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/huddlestontaxcpas.com\/blog\/cpa-checklist-what-to-bring-to-your-first-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"CPA Checklist: What to Bring to Your First CPA Appointment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When it comes to working with a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), organization pays\u2014literally. Whether you’re meeting your CPA for the first time or simply prepping for tax season<\/a>, being ready with the right documents can save you both time and money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most CPAs charge by the hour, and the more time they spend tracking down missing info or following up with emails, the higher your invoice climbs. That\u2019s why it\u2019s in your best interest to come prepared\u2014so they can focus on what they do best: optimizing your tax outcome<\/a> and keeping you compliant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you hit the ground running, here\u2019s a checklist of what to bring to your first meeting with your CPA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Must-Have Checklist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2714 Completed Tax Organizer<\/strong>
Think of this as your CPA’s intake form. It captures your basic personal and financial information and helps them understand what forms, deductions, and credits may apply to you. Most CPA firms provide their own organizer, but you can also find general ones online if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2714 Previous Year\u2019s Tax Return<\/strong>
New client? Bring your last year\u2019s return (sometimes the last two). This gives your CPA a baseline to verify accuracy and look for trends, carryovers, or red flags. If you\u2019re a returning client, your CPA likely has this on file already.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2714 W-2s and\/or 1099s<\/strong>
These show how much income you earned and from where\u2014whether from an employer, contract work, side gigs, or investment payouts. Don\u2019t wait too long to track these down\u2014employers and clients are required to send them out by January 31.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2714 Brokerage and Investment Statements<\/strong>
If you\u2019ve sold stocks, earned dividends, or received capital gains, your CPA will need documentation (usually Form 1099-B<\/a> or a year-end statement). This includes cryptocurrency trades, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2714 Form 1098 or Real Estate Documents<\/strong>
If you own a home and paid mortgage interest, your lender will send a Form 1098<\/a>. If you bought, sold, or refinanced real estate this year, bring your closing documents and anything related to property taxes or escrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2714 IRS or State Tax Notices<\/strong>
Received a letter from the IRS or your state\u2019s Department of Revenue? Bring it with you. Whether it\u2019s a correction, a notice of balance due, or a refund adjustment, your CPA needs to see it to accurately handle your return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2714 State-Specific Forms or Requirements<\/strong>
Some states, like Washington, have unique filing obligations. If you\u2019re a business in Seattle<\/a> or Bellevue<\/a>, for example, you may need to file Business & Occupation<\/strong> (B&O) taxes. Your CPA can help, but they\u2019ll need the documentation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2714 Schedule K-1 (For Business Owners or Partners)<\/strong>
If you own an interest in an S-corporation, partnership, or trust, a Schedule K-1 reports your share of income, losses, or distributions. This form is essential for accurate pass-through income reporting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporting (Nice-to-Have) Documents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While the documents above are the essentials, the following items can help paint a fuller picture of your financial life\u2014especially if you\u2019re self-employed or have more complex deductions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n