What’s the difference between tax preparation and tax advisory?

Tax preparation reports what already happened. Tax advisory is the ongoing conversation that shapes what happens next — quarterly check-ins, projections, and planning ahead of decisions, not just a return filed once a year.

When should I consider electing S-corp status?

It depends on your net income and the payroll cost it would create — there's a real number where it starts to make sense, and it's worth modeling before you're past the deadline to elect it for the year.

Do you check in throughout the year, or just at tax time?

Throughout the year — quarterly at minimum, and sooner if something worth planning around comes up in between.

Can you help me plan for a major business decision before it happens?

Yes — that's the point of this relationship. A call before the decision, not an explanation of the tax consequences after it's already made.

Tax Advisory · Nationwide

Tax Advisory: “What Should I Do Next,” Not Just “What Happened.”

“What should I do next,” not just “what happened.” Most CPA relationships go quiet between January and April. Ours doesn't — quarterly check-ins, mid-year projections, and planning ahead of the decisions that actually move your tax bill. Based in Flagstaff, Arizona — serving clients in all 50 states.

Book a discovery call See what's included

Advisors reviewing a tax plan together in the office

Where annual-only tax prep falls short

A CPA relationship that only exists at filing time.

Filing a return once a year tells you what already happened — it doesn't help you plan what's next.

Entity election timing missed entirely

S-corp and other elections have real deadlines — when the only conversation happens at filing time, the window to make the election for that year has often already closed.

Quarterly estimates that ignore what actually happened mid-year

Estimated payments calculated once in January and never revisited miss a business’s real, current-year activity — leading to a penalty or an interest-free loan to the IRS.

No contact between January and April

A CPA who only reaches out at filing time can’t flag a decision worth planning around before it happens — by the time you talk, it’s already history.

What's included

The work, specific to tax advisory.

Entity tax election guidance

S-corp timing and other elections evaluated against your actual numbers, in time to matter for the year in question.

Quarterly check-ins

A standing conversation four times a year, not just once at filing time.

Mid-year tax projections

A real projection built on this year’s activity so April is a confirmation, not a surprise.

Proactive planning ahead of major decisions

A call before a big purchase, hire, or sale — not an explanation after the tax bill shows up.

Run a cash-pay medical practice? See how we handle cash-pay medical tax advisory

Key facts · Tax planning rules

Three numbers worth knowing.

4x a year

How often federal quarterly estimated tax payments are due (mid-April, June, September, and January) for anyone without enough withholding — miss one and a penalty applies even if you pay in full by April.

110%

Pay at least 110% of last year’s tax liability through withholding and estimates (100% if prior-year income was under $150,000), and the IRS generally won’t charge an underpayment penalty — regardless of what you owe this year.

2 mo. 15 days

The deadline to file Form 2553 for S-corp treatment to take effect in the current year, measured from the start of the tax year. Miss it, and the election waits until next year.

General information, not individualized advice — a discovery call is the right next step for how these apply to your numbers.

Last reviewed July 2026

Common questions · FAQ

Before you call.

Keep exploring

Tax

Get a CPA who plans ahead, not just files.

Reviewing performance data together during a client meeting

Step 1

Discovery call

A complimentary 20-minute call to see whether we're a good fit — no pitch, no obligation.

Analyzing returns, structure, and margins

Step 2

The Partner Review

We review your entity, quarterly position, and upcoming decisions — a partner, personally — and present a written plan.

Implementing the plan and advising year-round

Step 3

Implement & advise

We check in quarterly and project mid-year, not just once at filing time.

Complimentary · Confidential

Begin with a conversation.

Twenty minutes with a partner — no cost, and no obligation to go further. Pick a time below.