Get Ready for Tax Season Your Complete Preparation Checklist

1. Get Ready for Tax Season: Your Complete Preparation Checklist For CPAs, EAs, and accounting firms, tax season is the most demanding time of the year. With numerous deadlines, evolving tax laws, and high client expectations, preparation is key to ensuring smooth operations. By staying organized and leveraging the right tools, firms can increase efficiency, reduce stress, and enhance client satisfaction. At Unison Globus, we specialize in providing outsourced tax preparation, bookkeeping, and CPA support services to help firms navigate the complexities of tax season with ease. Our CPA services are designed to assist accounting firms in managing high-volume tax filings, ensuring compliance, and optimizing operational efficiency. This guide provides a step-by-step tax preparation checklist, covering key deadlines, essential document organization, technology integration, tax law updates, client communication strategies, and workload management tips. Whether you’re an independent CPA or part of a growing accounting firm, this checklist will help you stay ahead during tax season.

2. Understanding Key Deadlines Federal Tax Deadlines 2025 Missing tax deadlines can result in consequences and unnecessary stress. Here are some critical dates to remember: •January 31, 2025 – Deadline for employers to issue W-2s and 1099s to employees and independent contractors. •March 15, 2025 – Filing deadline for S corporations (Form 1120-S) and partnerships (Form 1065). •April 15, 2025 – Individual tax returns (Form 1040), C corporation tax returns (Form 1120), and first quarter estimated tax payments are due. •June 15, 2025 – Second quarter estimated tax payments due. •September 15, 2025 – Third quarter estimated tax payments and extended deadlines for S corporations and partnerships. •October 15, 2025 – Final deadline for extended individual tax returns (Form 1040). Read Also: Tax Planning for Individuals: The Proven Guide for 2025 State Tax Deadlines Each state has its own tax deadlines and requirements. CPAs and accounting firms should verify: •State-specific tax filing dates •Quarterly estimated tax deadlines •Unique state regulations affecting deductions, credits, and compliance By maintaining an updated state tax deadline calendar, firms can proactively manage client filings and avoid last-minute complications. Organizing Client Information Gathering Necessary Documents Clients should provide all relevant financial documents in a timely manner. A tax document checklist should include:

3. ✓Income-related documents: W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, and investment statements ✓Expense records: Mortgage interest (Form 1098), business expense receipts, and medical bills ✓Tax compliance forms: Prior-year tax returns, state-specific tax documents, and IRS correspondence Tip: Encourage clients to use secure portals for document submission to ensure data security and streamline the collection process. Implementing a Document Management System A digital document management system simplifies tax season preparation by: ✓Reducing paper clutter and improving accessibility ✓Enhancing data security with encrypted storage ✓Facilitating quick retrieval of client records Recommended tools: •Canopy – Secure cloud-based tax document storage •Drake Documents – Integrated solution for CPAs •Smart Vault – Easy file sharing for accountants Investing in the best document management software for accountants ensures seamless client data organization. Section 3: Leveraging Technology Tax Preparation Software ✓Choosing the right tax software is crucial for accuracy and efficiency. Best tax preparation software for 2025 should offer: ✓Automated tax calculations for reduced errors ✓Seamless e-filing for federal and state tax returns ✓Client portals for secure document exchange Top picks for CPAs: •UltraTax CS – Comprehensive tax compliance •Lacerte – Best for complex tax returns •Drake Tax – Affordable and user-friendly Automation Tools for Efficiency Using tax automation tools can help accounting firms streamline repetitive tasks, including:

4. ✓Automated data entry – Reduces manual errors ✓AI-powered tax review – Identifies compliance issues ✓Automated client reminders – Keeps clients on track Recommended tax automation tools: •TaxDome – CRM & workflow automation •Xero Tax – Cloud-based tax automation •Karbon – AI-driven accounting workflow By integrating tax software for CPAs and automation tools, firms can save time, enhance accuracy, and improve client service. Real also: Assurance in Numbers: Dissecting Internal and External Audits During Tax Season Staying Informed of Tax Law Changes Federal Tax Law Updates for 2025 Recent IRS tax law changes impact deductions, credits, and filing requirements. Key updates include: •Changes to standard deductions and tax brackets •Modifications to business tax credits •New IRS compliance requirements Stay informed: Subscribe to IRS updates and leverage tax research platforms like Checkpoint or Bloomberg Tax. State Tax Law Changes Tax regulations vary by state, with new laws affecting: •State-specific deductions and credits •Compliance rules for remote workers •Updates on corporate tax rates Tip: Use state tax tracking tools like Avalara or CCH Answer Connect to stay up to date.

5. Enhancing Client Communication Effective Communication Strategies Clear and proactive communication helps manage client expectations. Best practices include: ✓Sending tax reminders via email or text ✓Hosting webinars on tax law changes ✓Providing FAQs to address common tax concerns Recommended tools for client communication: •Practice Ignition – Automates client engagement •Slack or Microsoft Teams – Improves internal and client collaboration Client Education Resources Educating clients about tax season improves compliance and trust. Provide: ✓Downloadable tax preparation checklists ✓Informative tax planning newsletters ✓One-on-one tax season consultations Tip: Offer a "Subscribe for Tax Tips" option to keep clients engaged year-round. Managing Workload and Stress Time Management Techniques To avoid burnout, CPAs and accounting firms should: ✓Prioritize high-value tasks and batch similar work

6. ✓Set realistic client expectations ✓Take breaks to maintain focus Delegation and Outsourcing Outsourcing non-core tasks can help firms stay efficient. Consider: ✔Outsourcing tax preparation to reliable third-party providers ✔Hiring seasonal staff for administrative work ✔Using virtual assistants for appointment scheduling Why outsource? 1.Reduces workload during peak season 2.Improves turnaround time for clients 3.Allow firms to focus on high-level advisory services Read Also: Taming Tax Season: Solutions for CPA Firms Facing Talent Shortages Conclusion Preparing for tax season requires a proactive approach. By staying ahead of deadlines, implementing efficient document management, leveraging tax software, keeping up with tax law changes, and maintaining strong client communication, CPAs and accounting firms can streamline their workflow and enhance client satisfaction. With the right strategies, tax season doesn’t have to be stressful, let Unison Globus assist you optimize your tax preparation process! This blog was originally published here: https://unisonglobus.com/get- ready-for-tax-season-your-complete-preparation-checklist/ Unison Globus Professional Outsourced Accounting & Tax Services for CPAs, EAs and Accounting Firms across the US, UK, Australia, and Canada

7. Unison Globus is a trusted leader in outsourced accounting and taxation services, headquartered in Ahmedabad, India, with a robust presence across the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. With over 19 years of industry expertise, we specialize in serving CPAs, EAs, and accounting firms exclusively in these regions, delivering tailored B2B solutions that drive efficiency, compliance, and growth. We proudly support over 350 clients with a team of 500+ skilled accounting professionals. Our mission is to empower firms with transparent, high-quality financial services that align with their strategic goals. At Unison Globus, transparency isn’t just a value—it’s the foundation of the trust we build with every client. Our Specialized Services for CPA and Accounting Firms Include: Accounting & Bookkeeping, Tax Preparation, Audit & Assurance, Payroll Services, Sales Tax Service, Management Consultation, Filing 1099 and Issue Forms. We also tailor our services to meet the specific regulatory and operational needs of each region we serve: In the United States, we offer federal and state tax return preparation (1040, 1120, 1065), 1099 filing and issuance, IRS audit support, and sales tax compliance. Our team is proficient in platforms like QuickBooks and Xero, ensuring seamless integration with your systems. In the United Kingdom, our services include Corporation Tax (CT600) and Self-Assessment returns, VAT returns, Making Tax Digital (MTD) compliance, Companies House filings, RTI- compliant payroll, auto-enrolment, and year-end accounts preparation. In Canada, we provide T1, T2, and T4 tax return preparation, GST/HST filings, CRA compliance, payroll processing including ROE filings, ASPE/IFRS-compliant financial reporting, and corporate year-end accounting. In Australia, we support firms with BAS, IAS, and GST lodgments, individual and business tax returns (TFN, ABN), Superannuation and STP payroll processing, SMSF accounting and audit support, and ASIC compliance and lodgments. We are committed to a 100% paperless workflow and take pride in the fact that 65% of our business comes from client referrals testament to our service excellence and client satisfaction. Whether you're in the US, UK, Australia, or Canada, Unison Globus is your strategic partner in navigating the complexities of accounting and taxation. Let us handle the numbers while you focus on scaling your business. Contact Us Today to Transform Your Firm’s Financial Operations •Address: 11555 Heron Bay Blvd., Suite 200, Coral Springs, Florida, 33076 USA •Email: hello@unisonglobus.com

8. •Phone: +1 (407) 807 0100 •Website: https://unisonglobus.com/ Unison Globus – Where Expertise Meets Efficiency.