The first year with a new tax professional should involve more than transferring last year’s numbers into new software. It is the year to establish the facts, expectations, and workflow that will shape the relationship going forward.
Initial discovery
The professional should understand your entities, income sources, investments, states, retirement accounts, prior notices, major transactions, and what you expect from the relationship.
Prior-return review
Carryovers, basis, depreciation, elections, estimated payments, and unusual positions should be identified before filing season becomes compressed.
Communication plan
Agree on how questions are submitted, expected response times, portal use, scheduling, and whether planning consultations are included.
Return preparation and review
You should receive enough explanation to understand major changes, unusual items, and what information will matter next year.
Post-filing and planning
A strong first year ends with a short list of items to monitor before year-end rather than simply “see you next tax season.”