As a taxpayer, you might assume your biggest tax decisions happen in March or April. The truth is, by that point, most of the outcomes are already locked in. Effective tax advisory work happens much earlier and focuses on decisions made during the year which help to shape your end results. Over the next seven weeks, we’ll be exploring more advanced tax reduction strategies, from specialized business deductions to high-income individual tax credits, that help you keep more of what you earn.

If this year's tax return was more painful than you expected, you're not alone. Surprises can happen when you're not actively planning. Still, a surprise bill or a smaller refund than you'd hoped for can throw off your entire financial rhythm. That's why right now is the best time to take control of next year's outcome instead of waiting for the tax season to catch you off guard again. Meeting with a CPA in the off-season can help you analyze the previous year, gain an understanding of what happened, and make recommendations as to what to do differently going forward.