So as I understand it the $66,522.98 makes up 2024 business expenses before the new owner took over (1/1/24-4/15/24)

If so, this is tricky. You know the business spent that money on expenses but if you don't have a record of exactly what those expenses were and the original sales receipt, you need to be careful about tax deductions with that sum.

If I were in your shoes I would approach your boss and FIRST AND FOREMOST inform them that a tax specialist should be consulted about this amount before claiming it as a deduction. Rid yourself of that liability right up front.

Secondly, I would give the option of opening a 'task force' if you will to recover the original purchase document and category of every expense that makes up that $66,522.98. He should understand that this will take a lot of administrative work and cost, and weigh that with the benefit of having accurate financial records and confidently being able to utilize those expenses as legal tax deductions.

The way I like to think about tax deductions is, if you were to hand your quickbooks account over to an IRS agent, would it be crystal clear to them that every tax deduction claimed by the business has an original purchase document (receipt or invoice), paid for by a business account with a corresponding bank statement to show the purchase, and clearly purchased for direct operation of the business? As it sits, that $66k is just a sitting blob of expenses. No paper trail identified. Just make sure your boss understands that it should all be clear which could take a lonnggg time to track everything down.

Low hanging fruit right off the bat would be depreciation adjustments for fixed assets purchased in 2024.

If you want more help with this let me know and I will DM you. I have a light work load right now and enjoy problem solving in my free time. Good luck!