EW CPA Tax & Bookkeeping LLC

If I had to give only 5 tax tips this season, these would be the ones that actually move the needle:

Every year I see smart business owners overpay simply because no one told them what to look for.

Here are the 5 things I would focus on right now:

1. Don’t wait until filing season to think about taxes. Tax planning saves money. Tax preparation reports history.

2. Review your entity structure.
Are you operating as the right entity for your income level? The wrong setup can quietly cost you THOUSANDS

3. Clean up your books before filing.
Messy bookkeeping leads to missed deductions and unnecessary stress.

4. Track major life or business changes.
New business? Moved states? Bought property? Had a high-income year? These matter more than you think.

5. Don’t assume your prior-year strategy still works.
Income changes. Tax laws change. Your strategy should too.

If you need support with 2025 tax preparation or want to get ahead with strategic 2026 tax planning, send me a message or comment “PLAN.” Let’s make sure you are not paying more than necessary.

By the time tax season rolls around, it’s often already too late.

Someone reached out to me yesterday for help with tax prep and tax reduction strategies after selling stock and realizing a gain of about $300K in 2025. The issue wasn’t the return, it was the timing.

This is the kind of situation that’s best addressed ideally before the sale happens, or at least before year-end. Once the transaction is done, and the tax year is over, many of the options to reduce the tax impact for that tax year are already gone.

Friendly reminder: major tax events aren’t really tax season questions. They are planning questions. Proactive planning can go a long way toward avoiding surprises and keeping more of what you’ve earned.

My February client list is open, and I have 4 spots remaining for 2026 tax planning.

This is for those who want intentional, forward-looking tax strategies, not last-minute fixes.

DM me to book a discovery call.

One of the most expensive mistakes business owners make has nothing to do with sales, marketing, or operations, yet it can cost them thousands in unnecessary taxes.

It’s their entity structure.

Many business owners pour their energy into growing revenue and serving clients, but the legal and tax foundation of the business often becomes an afterthought. Unfortunately, that foundation directly impacts how much you keep versus how much goes to taxes.

A poorly chosen structure can lead to:
• Overpaying in taxes
• Missed deductions and planning opportunities
• Payroll and compliance issues
• Complications as the business grows

Not all businesses are the same. Not all structures fit all. Every business has unique income levels, goals, risk exposure, and long-term plans, which means the right tax structure is different for everyone.

The good news is that you are not stuck. With the right strategy, your entity structure can be optimized at almost any stage of your business.

This is exactly why my chapter, “Entity Shape-Up: Choosing the Right Business Structure,” in the upcoming book DeTAXify Your Life, focuses on helping business owners understand how their entity choice affects tax liability, owner compensation, payroll requirements, long-term tax efficiency, and more.

The book launches in April, and I’m excited to share not only insights from my chapter but also the many other valuable tax topics covered throughout the book.

Your structure should support your goals, not quietly drain your profits.

I am only taking 5 new tax planning clients this month. If you want to make sure your business structure is working for you instead of against you, send me a message.

Big news I’ve been excited to share…

I’ve been selected as a co-author for an upcoming book alongside 15 superstar tax planners from across the industry. So grateful for the opportunity to contribute and collaborate with such an incredible group of professionals.

We are targeting an early April launch, and the book focuses on practical, real-world tax planning strategies that actually make an impact.

For those thinking ahead, I’ll be onboarding up to 5 tax planning clients in February to get a head start on 2026 tax strategies. If you’d like to explore whether this is a fit, feel free to message me.

They saved $1K in fees… and lost $20K in tax savings...

This one stings.

Last year, I worked with new clients two business partners on the business tax return filings. During the process, I identified tax planning opportunities worth ~$20K in savings (between two partners). They were enthusiastic at first, but eventually went silent.

I sent 9 follow-up emails. A few text reminders. Clear explanations of why timing mattered and how year-end planning was the key to locking those savings in.

I had a call with one of the partners yesterday to discuss the personal tax return and to ask about tax planning. It turns out they decided to move forward with someone else, based on a recommendation and a lower price. The result? Unfortunately, the professional they hired stopped responding. No planning. No ex*****on. No savings.

Trying to save $1K in fees ended up costing them $20K in taxes...

This is the part many business owners don’t realize: tax planning isn’t something you can fix at filing time. It only works if it’s done before deadlines pass. Once the year closes, even good ideas and good intentions don’t matter anymore

I often hear, “It’s too late to start planning.”

No, it’s never too late to make smarter decisions.

Even in November, you can:
- Accelerate expenses
- Fund retirement accounts
- Adjust salary
- Check your entity structure

The worst time to start tax planning is never.

The second-best time? Today.

Tax planning and tax preparation are not the same thing.

Tax prep = looking 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱.
Tax planning = looking 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱.

Most overpaid taxes happen because business owners only look back once a year.

Your CPA should be part of your strategy 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 the year, not just someone who files forms.

What’s one proactive thing you’ve done this year to lower your taxes?

Short-term rentals can be one of the most tax-efficient assets, if structured right.

Depending on participation level, you can use losses to offset other income (even W-2).

But here’s the catch -> the IRS has strict rules for “material participation.”

Done right, it’s a hidden gem.
Done wrong, it’s a red flag.

If you own or plan to buy a short-term rental, talk to your CPA 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 you close.

If you could ask a CPA 𝗼𝗻𝗲 tax question, what would it be?

I’ll answer a few in the comments.

No question is too small or too “basic.”

Sometimes the smallest tweaks make the biggest difference.

Good bookkeeping isn’t about reconciling transactions. It’s about decision-making.

When your books are current, you can:
* Spot trends
* Predict cash flow
* Plan for taxes months ahead
* Do tax planning

When they’re not, you’re flying blind, and your CPA becomes a firefighter instead of a strategist.

Your books tell the story of your business.

Keep them clean, and that story becomes profitable.

Last March, a new client reached out overwhelmed with a backlog of PDF bank statements asking if they could still do tax planning.

Unfortunately… it was too late.

By waiting until tax season, they missed strategies that must be done before December 31st.

We cleaned up the bookkeeping, but the damage was done... $15,000 in tax savings left on the table.

Lesson:
Real tax strategy happens before year-end, not during tax season.

When was the last time you met with your CPA before January?