How to Change Tax Preparers

Changing tax professionals is a normal business transition. The key is to preserve the tax history and make the handoff deliberate.

Gather the historical record

• Prior federal and state returns
• Depreciation schedules
• Basis schedules and carryforwards
• Entity elections and formation documents
• Prior notices and correspondence
• Installment-sale records
• Capital-loss and passive-loss carryforwards
• Important planning memoranda or workpapers available to you

Explain what has changed

Your new professional should understand why you are making the change and what has changed in your financial life. A transition is an opportunity to clarify whether you now want more planning, responsiveness, specialization, or year-round access.

Do not wait until the deadline

A new professional may need time to review prior returns, identify missing records, obtain authorizations, and understand open issues. Starting early produces a better transition.

Ask what the new professional needs

Do not assume the prior-year return alone contains everything necessary. Basis, depreciation, elections, notices, and historical records may exist outside the printed return.