Many people approach tax planning as a once-a-year scramble before the filing deadline, but this short-term thinking can cause you to miss valuable opportunities that a longer view can provide. When you look beyond just this year's tax return, and plan for the long haul, you'll keep more of your money, grow your savings faster, and build something lasting for your family. Think of it as planting financial seeds today that your family can harvest for generations.

When most people think about taxes, they picture gathering documents and racing to meet the filing deadline. But there's a lot more to managing taxes than filing once a year. Tax preparation and tax strategy may sound similar, but they serve very different purposes. While one focuses on compliance, the other focuses on building long-term financial benefits.

Let's break down these concepts and explain why working with a trusted CPA can make a significant difference in your financial outlook.

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.