When an IFR inbound is approaching an airport with an active control tower, how should ATC perform the handoff?

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When an IFR inbound is approaching an airport with an active control tower, the handoff should include providing essential data and transferring control to the tower, including the runway in use and any necessary approach clearance. This ensures the tower has all the critical information to sequence and clear the approach and to issue the appropriate landing clearance. Transferring control without that data leaves the tower without key context, and not handing off at all keeps you with radar contact when local control should be guiding the arrival. Relying only on data link without voice communication misses the necessary verbal clearance and confirmation that the tower can execute the approach control duties.