Most tax surprises are decided months before anyone files a return. By the time a business owner sits down with a tax preparer in March, the year is closed. Revenue is booked. Expenses are spent. The salary was paid or it wasn't. At that point, the tax return is a record of decisions that already happened, and very little can change. That's why the most valuable tax conversation of the year doesn't happen in March. It happens in October. Why October, Not March October 15 is t

The best tax planning happens before December 31st. Here are five strategic moves small business owners should make now to reduce taxes and avoid April surprises.