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Everything you need to stay on top of your finances, meet your deadlines, and make smart decisions for your business. And if you ever have a question these resources don't answer, just pick up the phone — we actually like talking to our clients.
Checklists
What to Bring to Your First Meeting
Walking into a CPA's office for the first time can feel overwhelming. Here's exactly what to bring so we can make the most of our time together.
For Individuals
- Last two years' tax returns (if available)
- W-2s, 1099s, and any other income documents for the current year
- Records of major life changes (marriage, divorce, new baby, home purchase, etc.)
- Documentation for deductions you want to claim (charitable donations, medical expenses, student loan interest)
- Government-issued ID
For Business Owners
- Last two years' business tax returns
- Year-to-date profit and loss statement (even a rough one)
- Balance sheet (if you have one)
- Business bank and credit card statements for the current year
- Payroll reports (if you have employees)
- List of major equipment purchases or business investments this year
- QuickBooks login credentials (if applicable)
- Any IRS or state correspondence you've received
Don't have everything on this list? That's fine. Bring what you have and we'll figure out the rest together. The most important thing is to show up. We'll take it from there.
Small Business Financial Health Checklist
Use this quarterly to make sure your finances are in order. Check off each item — if you can't, it might be time to talk to your CPA.
Monthly
- Bank accounts reconciled in QuickBooks/accounting software
- All income and expenses categorized
- Invoices sent for completed work
- Bills paid on time (accounts payable current)
- Payroll run and taxes remitted (if applicable)
Quarterly
- Estimated tax payments made on time
- Profit and loss statement reviewed
- Sales tax filed and remitted (if applicable)
- Cash flow forecast updated for next 90 days
- Check-in meeting with CPA (even 15 minutes)
Annually
- Tax return filed on time or extension submitted
- W-2s and 1099s issued by January 31
- Business entity structure reviewed (is LLC/S-Corp still optimal?)
- Insurance coverage reviewed
- Retirement plan contributions maximized
- Business goals and budget set for the coming year
Tax Deadlines
2026 Tax Deadline Calendar
Every important tax date for Tennessee business owners. Bookmark this and never miss a deadline.
January 2026
- January 15Q4 2025 estimated tax payment due (Form 1040-ES)
- January 31W-2s and 1099-NEC forms due to employees and contractors
- January 31Q4 2025 payroll tax return (Form 941) due
- January 31Federal unemployment tax return (Form 940) due for 2025
March 2026
- March 16S-Corp tax returns (Form 1120-S) due (or extension)
- March 16Partnership returns (Form 1065) due (or extension)
April 2026
- April 15Individual income tax returns (Form 1040) due (or extension)
- April 15C-Corp tax returns (Form 1120) due (or extension)
- April 15Q1 2026 estimated tax payment due
- April 15Tennessee franchise and excise tax return due (or extension)
- April 15Last day to make 2025 IRA and HSA contributions
June 2026
- June 15Q2 2026 estimated tax payment due
September 2026
- September 15Q3 2026 estimated tax payment due
- September 15Extended S-Corp and partnership returns due
October 2026
- October 15Extended individual and C-Corp returns due
- October 15Extended Tennessee franchise and excise tax returns due
December 2026
- December 31Last day for tax-deductible purchases and charitable donations for 2026
- December 31Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) due from retirement accounts
Sales Tax Reminder: Tennessee sales tax returns are filed monthly (if you collect more than $400/month) or quarterly. Check your filing frequency with the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Late sales tax filings carry a penalty of 5% per month, up to 25%.
Want to never worry about missing a deadline again? When you work with Steele Martin Jones, we track every deadline for you.
Let Us Handle Your DeadlinesFrequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often.
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