Mike,
A business owner said something to one of our advisors this year that I've heard for years.
His CPA's year-end advice had been to buy vehicles before December 31. His question was simple:
"Why are we having that conversation at the end of the year?"
I'm a CPA too, so let me be fair: his CPA didn't do anything wrong. Most CPAs are very good at the job they're hired to do, and for a lot of clients that job is the return: reporting what happened, accurately and on time.
That's a preparer's job, and it looks backward.
A planner's job looks forward. A planner asks, before the year is over, what you're buying, building, selling, investing in or hiring next, and how to set it up so the tax law works for you instead of against you.
Most successful owners and professionals I meet have a good preparer. Very few have a planner. And many assume their preparer is also their planner: "If there were something I should be doing, my CPA would tell me."
Maybe. But if you pay for a return, a return is what you get.
So here's a simple test. When did your CPA last call you first, before you asked, with an idea?
If you can't remember, you may not need a new CPA. You may just be missing the planner. Our advisors meet with their clients every quarter, before the decisions get made. Working with us doesn't have to mean leaving a CPA you like.
Our free Tax Strategy Review is a first step, not a plan. In 60 minutes, our team at TFW Advisors identifies your top opportunities to save on your tax bill. It isn't advice; that comes only under a services agreement. If you're a fit and we work together, our goal is to legally reduce your tax bill by 10 to 40% in 6 months or less.
It's for business owners and investors who paid more than $50,000 in federal and state tax combined for 2025. Why that number? If we work together, we want your savings to be a multiple of what the work costs you.
Start with our 7-question Tax Strategy Assessment. In about 2 minutes, it shows you the planning gap that may be limiting your options right now.
→ Discover your #1 tax-planning gap that may be costing you thousands and see if you qualify for a free review.
If you qualify, you'll be invited to apply for your free Tax Strategy Review. First comes a 15-minute prep call, where we collect your documents and match you with one of our senior advisors.
Live Tax Free,
Tom Wheelwright®, CPA
Founder & CEO
PLA Software & WealthAbility®
P.S. Review slots are limited. If you want a review before year-end, take the assessment by Friday, November 20. After that, we can't promise one before December 31.
The Tax Strategy Review is free. It identifies opportunities and isn't tax, legal or accounting advice; advice comes only under a services agreement with a TFW Advisors franchise firm. Results depend on your situation and aren't guaranteed.
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