Educational template

Are we current?

A month-by-month template of what “current” usually means with The Daily Balance Pro: prior-month books closed, outstanding items visible, and the next deadline on the radar. This is not live client data.

This page does not read QuickBooks Online, Digits, or the Drake Tax Portal. When a signed-in area exists, live status will live there. Until then, use the table as a conversation checklist with the firm.

What “current” means

Books closed

Prior-month statements reviewed, income and expenses in QuickBooks Online or Digits, and questions noted — not every penny classified forever.

Outstanding items

A missing receipt, an invoice without a match, a personal transfer on the LLC account, or an incomplete day count. A short list, not an endless archive.

Next deadline

The next US tax-calendar marker that applies to your track. If the date falls on a weekend or holiday, the next business day applies.

Agreed cadence

Monthly document send by the 10th. Estimated-tax check-in each quarter (January, April, June, September). This is rhythm copy — not an email or SMS system.

Month by month (template)

January

Books closed: Close December and the calendar year: last round of statements, invoices, and per diem.
Typical outstanding items: W-2 and 1099 forms have not arrived yet — normal early in the month. Note what is missing.
Next deadline: 15 Jan — Q4 1040-ES. 31 Jan — the business files W-2 and 1099-NEC.

February

Books closed: January sent by the 10th. The individual’s folder starts receiving W-2, 1099, and 1098.
Typical outstanding items: Forms a payer mailed late. Do not finish the packet with an insecure email screenshot; wait for the PDF and upload in the Drake Tax Portal.
Next deadline: Main window to send W-2, 1099, 1098, and individual statements.

March

Books closed: February sent by the 10th. Partnerships and S corps under review.
Typical outstanding items: K-1 not yet issued; LLC documents for 1065 or 1120-S.
Next deadline: 15 Mar — 1065 and 1120-S (business). If that date is a weekend, the next business day.

April

Books closed: March sent by the 10th. Individual packet complete enough for the firm to review.
Typical outstanding items: Day count, FBAR list, and Form 5472 (foreign owner) if still open.
Next deadline: 15 Apr — Form 1040, Q1 1040-ES, FBAR, 1120, and Form 5472, as they apply.

May

Books closed: April sent by the 10th. After the deadline: only pointed follow-ups, not a second April.
Typical outstanding items: Questions the firm sent back. Reply through the Drake Tax Portal.
Next deadline: No typical federal deadline in May. Keep the monthly cadence.

June

Books closed: May sent by the 10th.
Typical outstanding items: If you live outside the US: confirm whether the automatic Form 1040 extension applies — the firm evaluates that.
Next deadline: 15 Jun — Q2 1040-ES; for many who live outside the US, an automatic Form 1040 extension.

July

Books closed: June sent by the 10th. Mid-year: a good moment to check the day count and foreign accounts.
Typical outstanding items: 1099 income running ahead of plan — tell the firm before Q3.
Next deadline: No typical federal deadline in July. Monthly cadence.

August

Books closed: July sent by the 10th.
Typical outstanding items: Late LLC books delay an extended 1065 / 1120-S. Catch up two months if needed, still calmly.
Next deadline: Prepare for Q3. Monthly cadence.

September

Books closed: August sent by the 10th.
Typical outstanding items: K-1 and partnership or S corp books if the return is on extension.
Next deadline: 15 Sep — Q3 1040-ES; extended 1065 and 1120-S.

October

Books closed: September sent by the 10th.
Typical outstanding items: Form 1040 and FBAR on extension: final documents, not drafts over WhatsApp.
Next deadline: 15 Oct — extended Form 1040 and FBAR (individual).

November

Books closed: October sent by the 10th. Year-end planning with the firm — education, not a promised result.
Typical outstanding items: Personal draws on the LLC account; the year’s day count almost closed.
Next deadline: No typical federal deadline in November. Monthly cadence.

December

Books closed: November sent by the 10th. Do not “close the year” on the 31st without December statements — that work belongs to January.
Typical outstanding items: Q4 estimate (due in January). Foreign accounts: note the year’s peak for FBAR.
Next deadline: 15 Jan (next year) — Q4 1040-ES. Keep filling the December folder.