What to bring your CPA as a funded trader

Updated October 26, 2026 · For the 2026 tax year

A good CPA or enrolled agent is worth it when you trade for prop firms. You'll get more from the meeting, and pay for less of their time, if you show up organized. Here's the list.

Documents to gather

Every Form 1099-NEC from each prop firm that paid you. Firms send them by early the next year; see the 1099-NEC guide.
Your own payout log: date, firm and amount of every payout, including firms that didn't send a 1099 (payouts below the reporting threshold are still income).
Trading-cost receipts: evaluations, resets, activation fees, market data, platforms and software, with dates and amounts. See deducting evaluation fees.
Estimated tax payment confirmations: federal and state, with dates (the January payment counts toward the prior year).
Your W-2 from your day job, and your spouse's if you file jointly.
Last year's tax return: your CPA uses it for the safe-harbor rules and to compare.
If you trade your own futures account: your broker's 1099-B (those trades are reported separately; see the 60/40 guide).

Questions worth asking

Do I qualify for the qualified business income (QBI) deduction on my payouts?
Which of my trading costs are deductible, and do I have any home-office or equipment deductions?
If I paid for evaluations but had little or no payout income, how is that treated?
Did I underpay estimated tax this year, and what should my quarterly payments or W-4 withholding be next year?
What does my state expect, including estimated payments?
At my income level, would an LLC or a corporate election make sense? See the LLC guide.

Make it easy all year

A PayoutTax account keeps your payouts, trading costs and estimated payments in one place as they happen, shows what to set aside after each payout, and gives you a clean list to hand over at tax time. Start a 3-day free trial, or use the free calculator.

Sources

IRS, Am I required to file a Form 1099: reporting thresholds
IRS, Estimated taxes
IRS, 2026 Form 1040-ES: due dates, including the January payment for the prior year

General information, not tax advice. This guide explains common rules for US funded traders; your situation may differ. It isn't a substitute for a licensed CPA or IRS enrolled agent, so review your own numbers with one before you file or pay.