The Hidden Cost of Waiting Until Tax Time

For many small business owners, taxes are an afterthought — something to worry about once a year, usually in March or April. But that “wait until tax time” mindset could be costing you thousand of dollars. At Grable CPA & Company, we’ve seen it again and again: clients come in after the fact, and we can’t fix what’s already done. That’s where tax planning comes in.

Tax Prep vs. Tax Planning

• Tax Preparation = compliance. Making sure forms are filed correctly and on time.

• Tax Planning = strategy. Making moves throughout the year to lower your tax bill and free up cash for growth.

One without the other leaves money on table.

A Real Example

We worked with a business owner who moved from a state with no income tax to one that did have income tax. Unfortunately, they withdrew from their retirement account right before moving — a move that cost them thousands in state taxes. If they had called us first, the outcome would’ve been very different.

How Planning Saves You Money

With proactive tax planning, we can:

• Accelerate expenses into the current year to lower taxable income

• Recommend retirement contributions that benefit both owners and employees

• Spot opportunities to re-invest in the business instead of overpaying the IRS

But all of this requires one thing: communication before tax season.

The Bottom Line

If you only talk to your CPA once a year, you’re probably paying more than you should. Tax planning is about making small, smart decisions all year long that add up to real savings.

Don’t wait until tax time. Let’s start planning now! Book a consultation today.