FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What documents do you need to provide to your tax preparer as an individual?

Below is a list of all possible forms — not all will apply to you. Please provide our office with copies of the forms that you receive, and keep the original forms for your records.

  1. W-2 Forms
  2. 1099 Forms – There are several different types of 1099s: 1099-NEC, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, Composite 1099 (Year-End Brokerage Statements), 1099-MISC, SSA-1099, 1099-R, 1099-K, 1099-G, etc.
  3. Schedule K-1 Forms
  4. 1098 Forms – Mortgage Interest & Property
  5. Tax Payment Confirmations or tax payment summary (including estimated payments made throughout the year)
  6. 1095 Forms – Health Insurance (could be 1095A, 1095B, or 1095C)
  7. Closing Statement & Final Escrow Statement for any real estate transactions
  8. Summary of tax payments made throughout the year
  9. Summary of expenses for things such as donations, medical expenses, etc. (Do not submit backup receipts with your summary, keep original receipts at home for your records)
  10. Any tax notices received from the IRS, State, City or other taxing authorities
  11. Name(s) and social security number(s) of dependent(s)
  12. Banking Information – The IRS and state of California will no longer be accepting payments by check. Provide us with your routing and account number to have your tax payments withdrawn and refunds deposited directly to your account.

2. What documents do you need to provide to your tax preparer as a business?

  1. Profit and Loss (AKA Income Statement)
  2. Balance Sheet for businesses (Partnerships, S-Corporations, etc.)
  3. Both of these reports should date from the beginning of the fiscal year to the end, such as 1/1/26–12/31/26.

3. What is a standard tax deduction?

A standard tax deduction is a set dollar amount that the IRS allows you to subtract from your adjusted gross income (AGI). It lowers the amount of your income that is subject to federal income tax, thus lowering your overall tax bill. When filing your taxes, you generally have two choices: take the standard deduction or itemize your deductions. You cannot do both.

4. What is SmartVault and how do I use it?

SmartVault is our secure online document sharing website. When you are ready to provide us with your tax documents, you can scan and upload them to SmartVault. When your tax return is complete, a copy will be saved to SmartVault. If you ever need your previously filed tax returns, you can refer to the copies saved in SmartVault.

General Instructions for using SmartVault as a "Guest"
Instructions for Uploading to SmartVault

5. What is the e-organizer from Lacerte that I received in my email and how do I use it?

The e-organizer is an optional organization tool. It is a form to fill out with your income and expenses for the tax year. When you receive the e-organizer email, click the link, which will prompt you to install software on your computer. This software will guide you through the e-organizer until it's complete. When completed and submitted, we will receive a copy of the e-organizer via email.

Instructions for opening the e-organizer

Please note, the e-organizer is not compatible with Apple devices. We save a PDF copy to your SmartVault when we send out the e-organizer emails, just in case.

6. How do you pay the IRS online?

  1. Go to www.irs.gov/payments
  2. Select your payment method
  3. Select personal or business tax payments
  4. Verify Identity – This is where most mistakes happen. The purpose of this section is to verify your identity. To do that, they ask you to enter your information as it is listed on a previously filed tax return. Do not use your information from your most recent return. We recommend using a tax return filed one or two years before. For example, if the current tax year is 2026, you will want to use your 2025 or 2024 return. Fill out each section with your information exactly how it is listed on the return you selected.
  5. Payment Information – Enter the amount and the information of your payment method
  6. Payment Review – Confirm all payment information is correct before submitting
  7. Receipt – Save or print a copy of your receipt. Upload your receipt to your SmartVault so your preparer is aware that your tax payments were made.

7. How do you pay the California FTB online?

  1. Go to www.ftb.ca.gov/pay/index.html
  2. Select your payment type: bank account, credit card, or payment plan
  3. Select if you're making a personal or business tax payment

    1. Note that LLC's turned S-Corp should use their corporate ID number, not their LLC ID number. Call the FTB, or check your MyFTB online account, for your corporate number.
  4. For Personal, enter your last name and social security number
  5. Enter your name and address
  6. Select the type of payment you want to make
  7. Payment Information – Enter the amount and the information of your payment method
  8. Payment Review – Confirm all payment information is correct before submitting
  9. Receipt – Save or print a copy of your receipt. Upload your receipt to your SmartVault so your preparer is aware that your tax payments were made.

8. I received a notice from the IRS, what do I do now?

In many instances, notices are reminders of unpaid tax, which should be paid. If you need our assistance with the notice, please provide us with a copy of the notice (all pages, front & back) via email, SmartVault, or mail. Keep the original notice for your records.

9. What are the tax filing deadlines?

  1. March 15th – Filing & Payment Deadline for Corporations, S-Corporations, and Partnerships
  2. April 15th – Individual Filing & Payment Deadline
  3. September 15th – Extended Corporate Filing Deadline
  4. October 15th – Extended Individual Filing Deadline

Please note: when you file for an extension, you are only extending the deadline for filing. Payments must be submitted by the original deadline date (March 15th for Corporations and April 15th for individuals).

10. What are the extended tax filing deadlines?

  1. September 15th – Extended Filing Deadline for Corporations, S-Corporations, and Partnerships
  2. October 15th – Extended Individual Filing Deadline

Please note: when you file for an extension, you are only extending the deadline for filing. Payments must be submitted by the original deadline date (March 15th for Corporations and April 15th for individuals).

11. What are the tax payment deadlines?

  1. March 15th – Payment Deadline for Corporations, S-Corporations, and Partnerships
  2. April 15th – Individual Payment Deadline

12. What are estimated tax payments?

  1. Instead of paying a lump sum at tax time, you can pay in smaller amounts throughout the year.
  2. If you decide not to pay estimated taxes, you will incur a small penalty.

13. How will I know my tax return is ready for review?

  1. When your return is ready for review, your tax preparer will send you a copy via email from DocuSign.
  2. If there are no changes to your return, you can electronically sign both e-filing authorization forms (8879's) through the DocuSign screen.