When this guide is useful
This fictional case concerns a new professional inheriting incomplete records.
The distinction that matters
The example shows why prior returns alone may not explain elections, workpapers and unresolved issues. A transition file should identify what remains unknown.
A worked situation to investigate
A fictional owner changes advisers and supplies return PDFs while shareholder basis and asset history remain with the former firm.
The example is illustrative. Begin with the underlying event and its source documents, then separate missing facts from disagreements about their treatment. Work through the checks below in the order that matches your file, rather than treating a completed checklist as a tax conclusion.
Build a traceable handoff
Identify the affected person, entity or property and the relevant period. Keep original evidence, corrections and the reviewer's written conclusion connected. If the facts change after review, preserve the earlier version and ask whether the change affects implementation.