Is planning worth it for a small business?

If your business clears a certain profit threshold, usually yes. Often the S-corp decision by itself saves more than the planning costs. If you're below that level, we'll say so and explain why it makes sense to wait.

Do I need to switch my tax preparer to use this?

No. We can plan alongside whoever prepares your return, though most clients find it simpler to have one firm do both.

When should we start?

Before the year ends. Most moves have to happen by 31 December; a few, like retirement contributions, stretch to the filing deadline. October and November are the best months to call.

Services · 02 · Tax planning and advisory

Tax planning with a CPA, before the year is over.

By the time a return is prepared, the year is over and most of the numbers are fixed. Planning happens earlier, while you can still change them. We meet before year-end, work through the scenarios with you and tell you what we'd recommend and why.

Book a planning conversation

What's included

A mid-year and a fourth-quarter planning meeting
Entity review: sole proprietor, S-corp, partnership or C-corp, and when to change
Owner pay: salary versus distributions, and a salary the IRS will accept as reasonable
Retirement plans that cut this year's bill: SEP, SIMPLE, Solo 401(k), defined benefit
Equipment and vehicle purchases timed to get the deduction in the right year
Estimated payments set so the April bill is what you expected
A written plan, and a CPA you can call while you put it into practice

Who it's for

Who gets the most out of planning

Businesses clearing six figures, owners with more than one income stream, anyone who wrote a large check last April and would rather not repeat it. Individuals with equity compensation, rental property or a sale on the horizon.

What it costs

Planning engagements are quoted after a first conversation, based on how many moving parts you have. Request a quote and you will have a number before anything starts.

How a planning year runs

There are three meetings over the year, starting with last year's return.

We read last year's return together
We go through it line by line, look for anything that was missed, and list what we find in order of how much it would save.
We work out the options
For each decision in front of you, such as entity type, owner pay, retirement contributions or a large purchase, we put a number on every option. You make the call with the figures in front of you.
We follow up before each deadline
You get a short written plan with dates on it, and we check in with you before each one comes up.

Questions we get

Draft answers. Marked up with FAQ schema on the live site.

Is planning worth it for a small business?
If your business clears a certain profit threshold, usually yes. Often the S-corp decision by itself saves more than the planning costs. If you're below that level, we'll say so and explain why it makes sense to wait.
Do I need to switch my tax preparer to use this?
No. We can plan alongside whoever prepares your return, though most clients find it simpler to have one firm do both.
When should we start?
Before the year ends. Most moves have to happen by 31 December; a few, like retirement contributions, stretch to the filing deadline. October and November are the best months to call.

Also under this roof

Entity formation for new businesses, IRS resolution when a letter arrives, and ITIN applications. Ask on the first call.

Book a first planning conversation

Tell us a little about the business and we will book the first conversation.