What tax planning covers
- Tax projections. An estimate of this year's federal and state tax based on your books to date.
- Quarterly estimated taxes. What to pay each quarter and how to stay inside the safe harbor. See quarterly tax planning.
- Owner pay. Reasonable salary and distributions for S corporation owners.
- Entity choices. LLC, partnership, S corporation or C corporation, and when a change makes sense. See LLC vs S corp and family-owned LLCs.
- State pass-through entity tax (PTET). Whether an election helps the owners. See Virginia PTET and Maryland PTET.
- Year-end moves. Timing of income and expenses, equipment, and retirement contributions. See year-end tax planning.
- New rules. How recent federal changes and state conformity affect you. See 2025 tax law changes.
Tax planning and tax preparation, together
Planning sets the year up; tax preparation reports it. When one CPA firm does both, the plan carries straight into the return: estimated payments are already tracked, elections are already made, and nothing has to be explained twice.
We prepare business returns (Form 1120-S, Form 1065, Form 1120), nonprofit returns (Form 990) and owner and family returns.
How it works with us
Best for: growing businesses, S corporation and partnership owners, professional practices, nonprofits and families with business, rental or investment income.
- Free initial consultation. We learn about your situation and goals.
- Fee quoted upfront. Transparent, fair fees in writing before any work starts.
- Projection. We review your books and last year's returns and project the year.
- Plan. Clear recommendations: what to pay, when, and what to decide before year end.
- Check-ins and filing. Quarterly or year-end reviews, then we prepare and file the returns.
Expert CPAs. Personal attention.
Want a tax plan for this year? Tell us about your business or family and we'll set up a free initial consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Tax planning is looking ahead instead of only filing what already happened. A CPA projects your tax for the year, then helps you decide what to pay and when, how to set up your business, and which moves to make before year end so there are fewer surprises at filing time.
Tax preparation reports the year after it ends: we prepare and file your returns. Tax planning happens during the year, while there is still time to change the outcome, such as estimated payments, salary for S corporation owners, retirement contributions and the timing of large purchases.
Business owners whose income is growing or changes during the year, S corporation and partnership owners, professionals with a PLLC, nonprofits with unrelated business income, and families with business, rental or investment income. If your tax bill surprised you last year, planning usually helps.
Any time, and the earlier the better. Quarterly check-ins line up with estimated tax dates, and a year-end review in the fall leaves time to act before December 31.
Yes. We can plan during the year and work alongside your current preparer, or handle both planning and preparation so nothing gets lost between them.
After a free initial consultation we quote a transparent, fair fee upfront, in writing, based on the scope you need: a one-time review, quarterly planning, or planning plus return preparation.
Sources
- IRS: Estimated taxes
- IRS Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax
- IRS: S corporation compensation and medical insurance issues
General information as of October 9, 2026. Tax rules change; talk to a CPA about your situation.