Tax Reporting & Deliverables Overview

What You Receive From Graphite Tax

Graphite Tax delivers the filings, guidance, documentation, and tax-related outputs needed to support a more organized tax process throughout the year. The exact mix of deliverables depends on your engagement, company complexity, and whether your scope includes tax compliance, advisory support, R&D tax credit work, or a combination of services. Across those variations, the goal is the same: your team should understand what is being prepared, what is needed from you, what deadlines matter, and where the work stands.

Core Tax Deliverables

Tax Filings

Graphite prepares the federal and state tax returns included in your agreed scope. This work is based on your accounting records, prior filings, ownership and structural information, and other supporting documentation needed to complete the returns. Where appropriate, clients receive draft filings for review before submission so key details can be confirmed before final filing.

Advisory Guidance

For clients with advisory support in scope, Graphite provides guidance on tax questions that come up during the year. This may include questions related to business activity, expansion into new states, ownership changes, structural decisions, or other situations where tax considerations affect the business. Advisory deliverables may include written guidance, planning discussions, responses to specific tax questions, or recommended next steps.

R&D Tax Credit Support

For companies using Graphite for R&D tax credit work, deliverables may include identifying qualifying activities, preparing supporting documentation, and completing the filings required to claim the credit. This work is handled carefully so the company has the documentation and filing support needed to substantiate the credit where applicable.

Documentation and Open Items

Graphite tracks the information needed to complete tax work, including prior filings, financial records, ownership details, supporting documentation, and notice of material business changes. When information is missing or questions need to be resolved, those items are documented and communicated so both teams understand what is pending.

How Tax Deliverables Are Managed

Tax deliverables typically follow an annual filing rhythm, with additional touchpoints when advisory questions, planning needs, or credit work arise. Because tax work depends heavily on accurate documentation, Graphite communicates what is needed, when it is needed, and what remains outstanding. Strong documentation flow helps the process stay organized and gives both teams more visibility into timing, dependencies, and next steps.

Your Role in the Tax Process

Tax work depends on timely and complete information from your team. Clients should expect to review draft filings, respond to documentation requests, answer open questions, and provide relevant updates about business changes that may affect the tax work. Depending on the engagement, your team may also review planning considerations or provide information related to R&D credit claims. The more complete the information is early in the process, the easier it is to keep the work moving and reduce last-minute uncertainty.

When the Tax Work Is Considered Complete

A tax engagement cycle is generally complete when the agreed filings, credit work, or advisory outputs have been completed and delivered, and both teams have a shared understanding of what was done, what was filed, and what follow-up—if any—remains. At that point, the core scope for the period has been fulfilled: returns and elections have been prepared or submitted, R&D credit work has been documented and filed where in scope, and advisory questions have been addressed through the agreed format of memos, schedules, or discussions, with clear next steps documented for future periods.

Filings Are Prepared or Submitted

The required federal and state returns have been prepared and submitted, or are ready for final submission based on the agreed process, including any necessary reviews, signatures, and internal approvals. Drafts have been provided where appropriate, comments and questions have been addressed, and the final versions reflect the underlying financials, ownership structure, and tax positions discussed with your team. At this stage, you should know which returns were filed, how and when they were submitted, and where copies and supporting workpapers can be accessed for your records.

Credit Work Is Completed

Any R&D tax credit documentation and filings included in scope have been completed, including the identification of qualifying activities, preparation of supporting narratives and cost detail, and completion of the required federal and state forms. At this stage, the company has the workpapers and filing support needed to substantiate the credit, understand how the credit amount was determined, and reference the analysis in the event of future questions from internal stakeholders or tax authorities.

Guidance and Next Steps Are Delivered

The client has received the relevant guidance, documentation, and next steps tied to the work, including clear explanations of the positions taken, how those positions connect to the underlying financials, and what to monitor going forward. This may include written memos, supporting schedules, and a summary of recommended actions or decision points so your team understands how to use the deliverables, which follow-ups are time-sensitive, and when to revisit key tax considerations with Graphite.

Open Items Are Resolved

Outstanding questions have been answered, required actions have been completed, and any remaining items have been clearly documented, including ownership, timing, and follow-up steps. At this stage, both your team and Graphite have a shared understanding of what has been addressed, what—if anything—remains open, and how those items will be managed going forward.

Why This Matters

Tax deliverables help your team understand what has been prepared, what has been filed, what still needs attention, and where tax considerations may affect the business. When filings, documentation, advisory questions, and open items are managed clearly, tax becomes easier to track throughout the year and easier to review when deadlines arrive.