Tax · 7 min read

Year-End Tax Planning Checklist

Once the calendar flips, your options shrink fast. Run this list in November so you still have time to act.

Income and expense timing

Defer December invoicing into January (cash basis)
Prepay deductible expenses before 12/31
Buy and place in service equipment for Section 179 / bonus

Retirement and benefits

Max Solo 401(k) employee deferrals by 12/31
Open a SEP-IRA (deadline extends to filing date)
Fund HSA if eligible

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Monthly bookkeeping rhythm
Tax-ready document checklist
Entity & S-Corp decision guide
Cash flow & owner pay basics

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Owner pay and entity

Confirm S-Corp reasonable salary was actually run
Process owner health insurance via W-2 (S-Corp)
Document accountable plan reimbursements

Cleanups before December 31

Reconcile all accounts through November
Collect missing W-9s
Update fixed asset schedule
Write off uncollectible AR

Recommended next step

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Every November-and-December move worth making — retirement deadlines, equipment timing, S-Corp payroll, charitable giving, loss harvesting, and the close checklist — in one CPA-built PDF.

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