1. Get Your Financials in Order

Reconcile your bank statements, accounts payable/receivable, and payroll. Tools like QuickBooks or Xero can help—or hire a bookkeeper to catch up.

2. Organize Your Expense Categories

Make sure you categorize everything: travel, software, marketing, office supplies, etc. Clean categories mean better deductions.

3. Track Deductible Expenses

• Home office
• Vehicle use
• Insurance
• Education
• Loan interest

Separate personal and business expenses to avoid mistakes.

4. Ensure Payroll and Contractor Compliance

If you paid any contractor $600+, file a 1099-NEC. Verify W-9s and payroll tax filings for accuracy.

5. Choose the Right Tax Pro

Work with someone who knows your industry. A good CPA can find more deductions and help plan smarter for next year.

6. Review Estimated Payments

Reconcile your quarterly estimates. If you skipped them, expect to owe—and possibly get hit with penalties.

7. Plan Ahead

Tax prep is a chance to improve your systems. Evaluate tools, estimate future payments, and consider structural moves like an S-Corp.

At FiveFold Designs, We Help You Prepare Smarter

We build systems that reduce your tax stress. From automation to reporting, we help streamline the backend—so you’re not scrambling come spring.