Stop finding out what you owe in April.
A tax plan built around how your business actually runs, put in place during the year while you can still do something about it.
Most owners have someone who does their taxes. Very few have someone who plans them.
Your preparer sees your numbers after the year is over. By then, the decisions that move your tax bill are already made: how you paid yourself, how the business is set up, when you bought equipment, whether you saved for retirement. All they can do is write down what happened.
So every spring goes the same way. You hand over a box of paperwork, wait a few weeks, and find out how much you owe. Some years it's fine. Some years it's a gut punch you didn't see coming, and the money has to come out of the business right when you need it most.
We look at your business before the year closes, then get the changes done on a calendar.
Here is what we review for every client:
- How your business is set up. Whether an LLC, S corp or something else fits where your profit is today, and when it makes sense to switch.
- How you pay yourself. A real payroll and a plan for draws, instead of pulling money out whenever there's some in the account.
- Retirement savings. The right plan for your size, so money you set aside for later also lowers the bill now.
- Big purchases. When to buy equipment or vehicles, and how to write them off.
- Expenses you're already paying. Home office, vehicle, phone and travel, set up so they hold up if anyone asks.
- Quarterly estimates. A number to set aside each quarter, so there's no surprise at year end.
- Business and personal money. Separated, so your books show what the business really earns.
- A written plan. The steps to carry it out, and someone checking that they get done.
The bill grows out of the books.
Every owner who has called us about a tax problem had the same few things going on underneath: books that weren't kept up, no structure for paying themselves, business and personal money mixed together, and nobody looking ahead.
One roofing company doing about $350K a year was four years behind on filing and owed the IRS more than $100,000. We rebuilt the books, filed correct returns for the missing years, changed the company to an S corp and set up proper owner payroll. Once the returns showed the real numbers, the balance dropped by $60,000.
That is why every strategy we build starts with your numbers.
“Tom doesn't just prepare the taxes and send you on your way.”
“He never judged me or made me feel foolish. Instead, he patiently explained every step, gave me a plan, and kept me accountable.”
Four steps, starting with a short call.
Free intro call
We talk about your business, how it's set up and what your last tax bill looked like. You'll know by the end whether we're a fit.
Review
We go through your recent returns and this year's numbers to find what's costing you.
Your plan
A written plan with each change, what it's worth to you, and when it needs to happen.
We stay on it
Regular check-ins through the year, estimates set each quarter, and adjustments when your business changes.
Behind on filing, or holding an IRS letter?
Start here anyway. Tom is an IRS Enrolled Agent, licensed to represent taxpayers before the IRS, with about 18 years in tax resolution. We get you caught up first, then build the plan that keeps it from happening again.
I already have a CPA. Why would I need this?
Keep them if you like them. Most preparers are paid to file accurate returns, which is important work. Planning is a different job that happens during the year. We can work alongside your preparer or handle the filing ourselves.
Is this aggressive? I don't want trouble with the IRS.
No. Everything we recommend is written into the tax code and documented so it holds up. Having spent years cleaning up after IRS problems, we have no interest in creating new ones.
Is my business big enough for this?
If you're profitable and paying a meaningful tax bill, yes. The intro call will tell you quickly whether there's enough on the table to be worth it.
What if my books are a mess?
That's normal, and it's usually where the money is. We'll start there.
Find out what your tax bill should be, before the year is over.
One short call. We'll look at how your business is set up and tell you plainly whether money is being left on the table.