Year-end tax planning for 2026

Retirement contributions, owner salary, equipment and property decisions, stock sales and gifts: most have to happen by December 31. After that, your CPA can only report what already happened.

What we look at, depending on who you are

Every plan starts with a projection of your 2026 federal tax from year-to-date numbers, then focuses on the moves that matter for your situation.

Business owners

  • Owner salary and distributions if you run an S corp
  • Equipment purchases and 100% bonus depreciation, when they're worth it
  • Retirement plan options and their different deadlines
  • Whether to elect S corp status for 2027

Real estate investors

  • Properties placed in service before December 31
  • Whether a cost segregation study is worth it (studies by specialist firms)
  • Your hours log for real estate professional or short-term rental status
  • 1031 exchange timing on late-year sales

Tech professionals and high earners

  • The gap between 22% RSU withholding and your real rate
  • Incentive stock options and the alternative minimum tax
  • Washington's capital gains tax on stock sales
  • Giving appreciated shares instead of cash

One fixed fee, one written plan.

You receive a written plan with dates and dollar amounts, and a 60-minute call to walk through it. Book by mid-December so there's time to act before December 31.

Year-End Tax Plan

From $1,500one-time

Owners and investors who want to act before December 31

  • Projection of your 2026 federal tax
  • The moves that must happen before December 31
  • S corp election decision for 2027 (due by March 15)
  • Retirement contribution and timing strategy
  • A written plan and a 60-minute review call
Book before mid-December

Questions about the year-end plan

When do I need to book?

By mid-December. Most year-end moves have to happen by December 31, and there needs to be time to run your numbers and walk through the plan before then.

What does it cost?

From $1,500, quoted on the first call based on complexity: number of entities, properties and income sources.

Do you perform cost segregation studies?

No. Studies are done by specialist engineering firms. We tell you whether one is worth it for your property, coordinate with the firm, and apply the results correctly on your return.

Is a year-end plan worth it for me?

Usually if you own a profitable business, rental properties or equity compensation, or if your income changed a lot this year. If your return is a W-2 and the standard deduction, you probably don't need one, and we'll tell you so on the call.

The calendar is the deadline.

Book a free 30-minute call and we'll tell you on the call whether a year-end plan is worth it for you.

Email
[email protected]
Phone
(347) 509-4952
First call
Free, 30 minutes
Clients
Across the United States, served virtually