Tax season doesn’t sneak up on your calendar — but it can sneak up on your books.
Whether you’re in Denton, Argyle, or anywhere across North Texas, a few simple steps before year-end can make filing easier and more accurate. Here’s your friendly bookkeeping checklist to help you stay ahead and stress-free.
1. Reconcile Your Accounts
Start by reviewing your bank and credit card statements. Make sure every transaction is accounted for, categorized, and reconciled through the latest month.
If you’re behind, take it one month at a time or ask your bookkeeper to help you catch up. A complete reconciliation ensures your reports reflect reality — not surprises.
2. Verify Vendor and Contractor Details
If you pay contractors, check that all W-9 forms are updated and totals are accurate before sending 1099s.
Confirm business names, mailing addresses, and tax IDs now — not when forms are due.
3. Gather Tax-Deductible Expenses
Mileage logs, software fees, professional memberships, and continuing-education costs all count.
Create a “Tax Deductions” folder in QuickBooks or your accounting app. Tag those expenses so you can pull totals instantly instead of digging later.
4. Review Key Financial Reports
Run a Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet for the year to date. Look for:
- Unusual spikes in expenses
- Missing income categories
- Accounts that don’t balance
A short review now saves time and confusion when your CPA starts asking questions.
5. Back Up and Store Records Securely
Save digital copies of reports and receipts in at least two places — cloud and local.
Organized digital records protect your business and make future audits painless.
6. Schedule a Quick Year-End Check-In
Even if your books look clean, a short review with your bookkeeper or CPA helps ensure everything aligns with tax-filing requirements.
A 30-minute conversation now can prevent a week of corrections later.
Start the Year Confident, Not Scrambling
Tax time shouldn’t feel like panic time.
These steps bring clarity to your finances and peace of mind to your workflow.
If you’d like expert help closing out your books before tax season,
👉 Contact Amy’s Bookkeeping — we help North Texas businesses stay organized and ready all year long.
