2026 Business Owner Tax Planning Checklist

This is the same framework we walk business-owner clients through each year. It is not a substitute for a planning conversation about your specific facts, but it is a useful starting point to see where you stand.

Entity and structure

• Confirm your current entity election (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, partnership) still fits this year's income level
• If S-Corp elected, revisit reasonable compensation against current-year profit
• Check whether a multi-entity structure still makes sense as revenue or headcount has changed

Estimated payments and cash

• Recalculate your safe harbor number if income changed materially from last year
• Confirm your Q4 estimated payment reflects actual year-to-date results, not last year's estimate
• Check state-level estimated payment and safe harbor rules separately from federal

Deductions and timing

• Decide on Section 179 vs. bonus depreciation for any equipment placed in service this year
• Confirm any home office, vehicle, or meal deductions have contemporaneous documentation
• Review whether any planned purchases should be accelerated or deferred across the year-end line

Retirement and benefits

• Compare your current retirement plan against SEP-IRA, Solo 401(k), and SIMPLE IRA alternatives
• Confirm plan-establishment deadlines if you are considering a new plan type this year
• Model retirement contributions and reasonable compensation together, not as separate decisions

Compliance and documentation

• Confirm 1099 vendor information (W-9s) is current before year-end
• Check whether any entity BOI reporting obligation applies to your structure this year
• Reconcile books through the most recent closed month before your year-end planning call