Year-to-Date Financials include P & L (Profit and Loss) Statement, Balance Sheets, Business Debt Schedules and Tax Returns. These items are required by lenders to evaluate the profitability of a business and its growth from one year to another. It is important to get these items from the seller of a business when looking at a possible acquisition. Looking at the financials is the first step in determining the value of a business and to understand the basis or reason for the asking price for the sale or transfer of ownership of the business.