Now that the new year is well under way, it’s a good time to schedule an appointment with your tax accountant.
Setting an appointment early ensures that you get in to see your accountant before things get dire with your tax prep situation. Here are some things to think about as you get ready to do your taxes this year.
An Early Tax Accountant Appointment Heads off Trouble Later
I like to call my accountant in late January or early February to schedule an appointment for early March. That way, I have an appointment on my books — and a deadline to meet.
Not only that, but if I send over what I have, and it’s not enough, my tax accountant can let me know what I’m missing, and I have time to find what I need.
If you wait until the last minute to have an appointment, you are more likely to run into trouble later. After all, you might be just squeaking in to file on time. If you forget something or need to re-do something, you might not have time. You might end up filing an extension instead. That just kicks the can down the road.
It’s a Good Time to Talk Tax Strategy for the New Year
Setting an early appointment with your tax accountant can also leave time for you to talk strategy for the coming year. This is especially important at a time when we’ve seen some dramatic changes with tax law.
With the passage of tax reform at the end of 2017, things are changing for 2018. While you don’t want to rush into anything before some of the measures are in place, it’s still a good idea to sit down with a tax professional and figure out what your next moves should be.
Your accountant should be on top of the law, and the latest guidance from the IRS. Figure out what you should do the same — and what needs to change for the coming year. Getting that squared away is an important part of planning for the year. You don’t want to get to the end of the year, only to find you’ve been operating on assumptions that are no longer valid.
Your Accountant will Thank You
While most accountants are nothing but professional and helpful, you still don’t want to get on the bad side of your tax accountant. Your accountant will thank you for making an early appointment, rather than being one of the hordes of business owners that frantically try to get their taxes done at the last minute.
Your accountant does good work for you. The least you can do is respect their time and make an effort to be efficient on your end. Turn your paperwork in early, and set an appointment for a more convenient time. When you treat your accountant with respect, they will pay more attention to your taxes — and be more likely to give you even better advice for making the most of your money all year long.
