Year-End Tax Planning — The Five Moves That Matter Before December 31

In partnership with

Let’s keep it real, the biggest tax savings don’t happen in April. They happen right now, before the year ends. If you wait until tax season to “figure things out”, you’re already too late. Year-end is where the smart money makes strategic moves, locks in savings, and sets up the next year with momentum.

Here are the five tax moves that actually move the needle before December 31. Skip these, and you’re essentially leaving free money on the table.

1. Clean Up Your Books Before the Deadline

Your numbers are only as good as your records. If your books are a mess, your deductions will be too.
Before end of the year:

• Reconcile bank accounts

• Categorize expenses correctly

• Make sure every deductible purchase is documented

• Upload receipts you’ve been “meaning to add later”

Clean books = clean deductions = clean savings.

2. Lock In Last-Minute Business Deductions

If you know you’re spending in January anyway, and it’s a legitimate business expense, paying for it now may lower your taxable income.
Consider pre-paying:

• Subscriptions or software

• Marketing and ads

• Contractor payments

• Supplies or equipment

Don’t spend money recklessly but do invest strategically. Prepaying the right things can reduce your tax bill and tighten your cash flow plan.

3. Max Out Retirement Contributions

This is the move most owners ignore, and it’s the biggest lever for lowering taxable income.
Options to consider before year-end:

• Traditional IRA contributions

• Solo 401(k) contributions

• SEP IRA contributions (depending on structure)

Retirement contributions are double-wins: tax savings today and wealth building tomorrow.

4. Review Your Entity Structure for 2025

This is where entrepreneurs quietly lose thousands without realizing it.
If your profits have grown this year, your current structure might not be the most efficient anymore.
Before December 31:

• Review whether you should elect S-Corp status

• Re-evaluate your LLC setup

• Assess payroll needs for owner compensation

• Determine if you need to restructure for tax or liability benefits

The structure you start with isn’t always the structure you should keep. Year-end is the time to adjust.

5. Execute Income-Shifting and Timing Strategies

Smart business owners play the timing game intentionally.
Moves that can help before December 31:

• Delay invoicing until January (if cash flow allows)

• Accelerate deductible expenses into the current year

• Pay bonuses before year-end

• Shift income to family members legitimately involved in the business

You’re not manipulating the system; you’re using the system the way it’s designed.

Tax planning isn’t about scrambling at the finish line; it’s about being proactive before the year closes. These five pre-December 31^st moves tighten up your financial picture, reduce unnecessary taxes, and position your business for a stronger 2025.

If you want to avoid leaving thousands on the table, this is your window. Use it wisely.

Shoppers are adding to cart for the holidays

Over the next year, Roku predicts that 100% of the streaming audience will see ads. For growth marketers in 2026, CTV will remain an important “safe space” as AI creates widespread disruption in the search and social channels. Plus, easier access to self-serve CTV ad buying tools and targeting options will lead to a surge in locally-targeted streaming campaigns.

Read our guide to find out why growth marketers should make sure CTV is part of their 2026 media mix.

Learn more.