Tax preparation tends to move faster when the relevant documents are gathered ahead of time rather than assembled under deadline pressure. For individuals, that generally means income statements, prior-year returns, and records of deductible expenses. For a small business, it usually means profit-and-loss detail, payroll summaries, and asset records.
Organizing these by category — income, expenses, deductions, and prior filings — makes it easier for a preparer to identify what’s complete and what’s still missing, and reduces the number of follow-up requests during the process.
Starting this collection early, rather than waiting for a filing deadline, generally leaves more room to address questions or gaps before they become time-sensitive.