CPA of Denver · Tax planning guide
For an initial tax-planning consultation, begin with your goals, most recent federal and state returns, current pay information and a summary of expected income changes. Ask for secure document-transfer instructions before sharing financial records. The meeting should establish what work you need and how the engagement will be scoped.
Start With the Decisions You Want Help Making
Write down the questions that brought you to a CPA. Are you concerned about a balance due, a bonus, stock compensation, a home purchase, investment gains or the coordination of two earners? Include the relevant tax year and any approaching decision date. A focused agenda helps distinguish immediate planning from routine return preparation.
Consultation Records Checklist
On a small screen, scroll the table sideways to view all columns.
| Records | What to include | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Prior returns | Complete most recent federal and state returns, including schedules. | Establish the prior filing picture and items needing follow-up. |
| Current compensation | Recent pay statements for each earner and expected remaining wages or bonuses. | Estimate annual income and payments already withheld. |
| Investments | Available brokerage statements, realized gains and expected transactions. | Identify income outside payroll and information still outstanding. |
| Equity compensation | Award type, vest or exercise schedule, transaction records and employer tax documents. | Distinguish compensation events from stock-sale reporting. |
| Deductions and payments | Mortgage statements, significant gifts, estimated-payment confirmations and other relevant records. | Identify deduction questions and payments to reconcile. |
| Changes and notices | Moves, new income sources, marriage or family changes and tax notices. | Identify states, years and issues outside a routine engagement. |
You do not need every final tax form to begin a planning conversation during the year. Identify missing records and label estimates clearly. The CPA will confirm which documents are needed for the agreed work.
How to Share Prior Returns Securely
- Contact CPA of Denver with a brief description of your needs and scheduling preferences.
- Request and confirm the secure document-transfer instructions.
- Provide readable, complete files grouped by year and document type through the instructed channel.
- Keep a list of documents still pending so assumptions are clear.
Ordinary email is suitable for an initial inquiry, not tax-return attachments or sensitive identifiers. Do not send account passwords or brokerage login credentials.
What the Initial Meeting Covers
Discuss your goals, complexity, timing and the difference between preparation and planning. Confirm who you will work with, the records needed, the proposed deliverables, fee arrangements and the next step. The initial consultation does not automatically include a completed projection or detailed return review.
Questions Worth Asking
- Does the quote include federal and Colorado returns, and are other states separate?
- Is a year-end projection included or a separate engagement?
- How many planning meetings are included?
- What happens if income or records change after a projection?
- Which tasks need to be completed before the next decision date?
If your household combines wages, investments and stock awards, see our high-income tax preparation and planning service. For a broader filing-record list, use what records to give your CPA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should both spouses provide pay information?
For a household projection, current pay and withholding information for both spouses helps build a coordinated picture, along with the other income and payment records requested.
Can I send my return by ordinary email?
Contact CPA of Denver for secure transfer instructions first. Do not attach tax returns or sensitive personal and account information to ordinary email.
Will the initial consultation include a complete tax projection?
The consultation establishes needs and scope. A complete projection or return review is included only when specifically agreed in the engagement.
Discuss Your Tax Preparation and Planning Needs
Tell us briefly about your income sources, the return year and whether you need preparation, a projection or ongoing planning. Request an initial consultation. Please wait for secure document-transfer instructions before providing tax returns or financial records.
Published October 17, 2026 · CPA of Denver. General service and preparation information; the engagement and applicable tax year determine the advice and work provided.
Have a Specific CPA Question?
Book a $350 CPA Consultation for tax, accounting or financial-statement questions. The allowance covers up to one hour total for document review, preparation and the telephone call. Written reports and implementation require a separate scope. For availability or service-fit questions, send a brief inquiry.