Most taxpayers believe tax season starts in January. It doesn’t. Your 2026 tax outcome is largely determined before December 31, 2025, not when your return is filed. If you want control instead of surprises, now is the time to act by speaking with Steve Perry, EA at Books, Taxes & More. Call (678) 717-9818, email him at steve@bookstaxesatl.com or message him directly on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveperrybtm.
For business owners and high-income earners, January through April is largely administrative. By then, most strategic decisions are already locked, and many problems can only be explained rather than fixed.
The Biggest Misunderstanding About Tax Preparation
Tax preparation and tax filing are not the same thing.
Filing is compliance.
Preparation is control.
By the time W-2s, 1099s, and K-1s are issued, the IRS already has most of the income picture. What remains adjustable is limited to documentation quality, classification, and elections if those steps were handled correctly before year-end.
When preparation is delayed, common Q1 problems include:
• Incorrect or missing 1099 reporting
• Misclassified expenses or contractors
• Unreconciled bookkeeping records
• Estimated tax shortfalls discovered too late
• Penalties and interest that could have been avoided
These are not tax-season surprises. They are year-end failures that surface later.
Why High-Income and Business Taxpayers Are Most Exposed
The more complex the income, the smaller the margin for error.
Business owners and high-income taxpayers often manage multiple revenue streams, pass-through entities, payroll and contractor compliance, asset purchases with depreciation timing, and quarterly estimated tax requirements.
Each of these creates timing risk. When year-end preparation is skipped or rushed, the outcome is predictable: higher effective tax rates, lost deductions, missed elections, increased likelihood of IRS notices, and cash-flow pressure in Q1 and Q2.
If your situation includes complexity, this is the point where professional review changes outcomes. A short year-end conversation can prevent months of corrective work later. Call (678) 717-9818, email him at steve@bookstaxesatl.com or message Steve Perry, EA directly on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveperrybtm before the year closes.
What Proper Year-End Tax Preparation Actually Includes
True year-end preparation is not a checklist. It is a review process.
At Books, Taxes & More, year-end preparation typically includes reviewing income recognition timing, evaluating expense classification and substantiation, confirming payroll and contractor compliance, identifying missing or incorrect reporting forms, assessing estimated tax exposure before penalties apply, and aligning bookkeeping records with tax strategy.
Once December 31 passes, much of this work becomes corrective instead of strategic.
Why January Is Too Late for Strategy
After year-end, income timing is fixed. Most deductions are locked. Entity-level decisions are closed. Many elections are no longer available.
This is when clients ask whether anything can still be done.
The honest answer is usually less than you think.
How Early Preparation Reduces IRS Risk
Poor preparation doesn’t just increase tax. It increases scrutiny.
Late filings, corrected forms, mismatched reporting, and inconsistent records are common triggers for IRS correspondence. Many audits begin with preventable reporting errors, not aggressive behavior.
Early preparation allows issues to be corrected quietly and accurately before the IRS becomes involved. This is central to Steve Perry, EA’s advisory approach: reducing exposure before enforcement begins.
Frequently Asked Questions About Year-End Tax Preparation
Is year-end tax preparation only for business owners?
No. High-income individuals, investors, and anyone with multiple income sources benefit from early preparation.
Can mistakes really be fixed after December 31?
Some administrative errors can be corrected, but many strategic opportunities are permanently lost once the year closes.
Does year-end preparation reduce audit risk?
Yes. Clean, consistent, and timely records significantly reduce IRS notices and follow-up inquiries.
How early should I start preparing for tax season?
Ideally before year-end closes. January is already late for strategic planning.
If you want your 2026 return to reflect intentional decisions instead of last-minute compromises, year-end preparation must happen now. Call, email or message him at:
📞 (678) 717-9818
📧 steve@bookstaxesatl.com
🔗 Message directly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveperrybtm
🌐 https://bookstaxesatl.com
Recommended Next Steps
- Reconcile bookkeeping and payroll records while corrections are still possible
- Identify missing or incorrect reporting obligations early
- Address estimated tax exposure before penalties accrue
- Enter Q1 tax season prepared, not reactive
Tax Delete USA 
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