Get Organized for Tax Season: 3 Steps to Take Now

Tax season is coming—and while that might trigger a wave of stress for many business owners, it doesn’t have to. With a little bit of early prep and the right tools in your corner, filing your taxes can be smoother, faster, and far less stressful. Here are three actionable ways to make sure your business is ready to tackle tax time head-on.

1. Start the Conversation With Your Accountant

Your accountant is one of your most valuable partners during tax season. But they’re also incredibly busy—especially as filing deadlines approach. Reaching out early ensures you’re on their radar and gives them time to flag any potential issues, track down documents, or walk you through any updates in tax laws that might affect your business.

Whether you’re preparing your books, collecting receipts, or trying to understand your deductions, getting your accountant involved early helps everything stay on schedule. Don’t wait until March to scramble through your inbox for invoices—start now, and set yourself up for peace of mind.

2. Keep Your Books in Order With QuickBooks Online

One of the smartest moves you can make is switching to an accounting platform like QuickBooks Online. It’s designed to simplify bookkeeping for business owners—whether you're a solopreneur, running a growing team, or managing multiple streams of income.

QuickBooks lets you:

• Automatically track income and expenses

• Connect your bank and credit card accounts

• Generate key financial reports

• Send invoices and accept payments

• Organize receipts digitally

Best of all, when tax time rolls around, all your financial data is already organized and ready to hand off to your accountant. That means fewer headaches, fewer errors, and less time spent chasing paperwork.

Bonus Tip: If your business tools integrate with QuickBooks, you can streamline even more. Syncing your CRM, e-commerce platform, or payroll provider helps you maintain clean, accurate records without double entry.

3. Plan Ahead for Estimated Quarterly Taxes

If you’re self-employed or operate a business that doesn’t have taxes automatically withheld, it’s crucial to stay ahead of your estimated quarterly tax payments. Unlike typical calendar quarters, the IRS has its own set of due dates—and missing one can lead to penalties.

Start by reviewing your income from the past year and work with your accountant to project your upcoming tax obligations. Then, set calendar reminders or automate payments so you never miss a deadline.

Here’s a helpful 2022 tax calendar to keep you on track. Even if you’re feeling overwhelmed now, getting into the habit of reviewing your finances quarterly can make tax time next year that much easier.

Final Thoughts

Tax season doesn’t have to be something you dread. With just a bit of proactive planning and the right tools, you can avoid the last-minute scramble and move into filing season feeling focused and in control.

Start by connecting with your accountant, get your financials organized with QuickBooks Online, and plan ahead for those quarterly tax dates. These small steps today can make a big difference come deadline day.

Remember: the best way to reduce tax stress is to start now.