The strategies that shrink tax bills aren't complicated, they're just executed early. Here's the checklist we walk every client through in Q4.
Most tax savings are decided by December 31, not April 15. Yet founders and executives routinely wait until filing season to think about their tax bill, by which point every meaningful lever has already locked.
Below are the year end moves that consistently deliver the biggest dollar savings for our clients across industries: entity structure, retirement contributions, income deferral, expense acceleration, and charitable strategy.
Start with a Q4 projection. You cannot plan against a number you don't know. Every one of our advisory clients gets a Q4 projection that quantifies where they are, what changed vs. plan, and what strategies are still on the table.
Next, look at retirement. A solo 401(k), SEP, or defined benefit plan can defer six figures for owner operators, but the entity type, W-2 wages, and plan setup all have to align before December 31.
Finally, pair the numbers with a written strategy your advisor, attorney, and advisor all agree on. Coordination is where most tax planning falls apart.