Tax Return Review
Adding Clarity to a Complex Process
While I don’t prepare tax returns myself, I bring a strong set of skills when it comes to reviewing them—skills developed through hands-on experience working at a CPA firm. This background gives me a deep understanding of how tax returns work, something not every bookkeeper may be familiar with.
Why Tax Returns Can Feel Intimidating
Tax returns are formal documents, submitted to the IRS, and the idea of making a mistake can feel overwhelming. But at their core, they’re simply a tool—a way to formally report the financial activity I track for you all year long. When reviewed carefully, they stop being intimidating and start serving their real purpose: keeping your business compliant and transparent.
Why a Review Matters
During the tax prep process, adjustments are often made—some routine, like depreciation, and others more complex, like partner equity. No matter the type, it’s critical that your books match what’s reported on the return. If you’re ever audited, discrepancies between your records and your filed return can raise red flags and create unnecessary complications.
How I Help
My role is to:
Review your tax return for consistency with your bookkeeping records
Identify and explain adjustments made during the tax prep process
Ensure your books are aligned with what’s reported to the IRS
Provide peace of mind that your financial story is consistent across the board
Why Not Just Use a CPA Firm’s Bookkeeping?
This is one reason many CPA firms offer in-house bookkeeping—to ensure everything aligns. But there are also valid reasons to keep bookkeeping and tax preparation separate, such as specialization, checks and balances, or simply finding a bookkeeping partner who’s the right fit for your business. Read more here.
The Bottom Line
Tax return reviews are about more than catching mistakes—they’re about making sure your financial records and tax filings tell the same story. With my review, you gain clarity, accuracy, and confidence that your books hold up under scrutiny.