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.

As the end of the year approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in the holiday rush. Still, setting aside a little time to organize your tax documents now to get ahead of the time crunch can save you stress heading into the new year. 

Here are some simple ways to get your documents in order and tips on setting up your tax planning meeting.

The seasons may change, but one thing remains a constant - the inevitability of tax season. Now, as the year winds to a close and the fall leaves have painted the town in shades of amber and gold, it's the perfect time to set the stage for a seamless preparation of next year's tax returns - so start early and you'll find yourself mastering the 2024 tax season.

Three kinds of taxpayers are doing their taxes incorrectly: those who are waiting for a refund, those who are dreading doing their taxes, afraid of owing as much as they did in the prior year, and those who have actually haven't got a clue as to what their taxes will look like once the dust settles. What they all have in common is insufficient planning, and each of them should take time to sit down with a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and start planning for next year - because good tax planning never leaves money on the table.