Tax planning & quarterly estimates
Tax preparation reports what happened. Planning changes what happens — while the year is still open.
What this service is — and why it matters
By the time a return is being prepared, almost every decision that affects it has already been made. Planning moves the conversation earlier: we project this year’s tax from your year-to-date numbers and update it every quarter.
Each quarter you get a clear estimated payment for each deadline, sized to keep you out of underpayment penalties, plus a simple rule for how much of each deposit to set aside. Before year-end we meet to model the decisions that are still open — retirement contributions, equipment purchases, salary levels, timing of income — so you choose with the numbers in front of you.
The goal isn’t clever tricks. It’s no surprises in April, no missed deadlines, and no leaving money on the table because nobody asked the question in time.
Everything we handle for you
One named preparer, a second-preparer review, and year-round answers to your questions.
Quarterly projection
We update your projected tax each quarter from your year-to-date income and expenses, so you always know where you stand.
Estimated payments
A specific federal and state payment for each deadline, calculated to meet the safe harbor where possible, with payment instructions.
Set-aside rule
A simple percentage to move into a tax savings account from every deposit, adjusted as the year develops.
Decision modeling
Before you commit, we model decisions like buying equipment, changing entity, hiring, or adding a retirement plan, and show the after-tax result.
Year-end planning session
A meeting every fall to review the projection and act on what can still be changed before December 31.
Retirement plan strategy
Which plan fits (SEP-IRA, Solo 401(k) or others), how much to contribute, and when the deadlines fall.
Want to know what this would cost for you? We’ll give you a fixed quote after a free 30-minute review.
Book a reviewThis is a good fit if…
Best for: anyone whose income isn’t fully covered by withholding.
- You owed a large balance, or paid an underpayment penalty, last April
- Your income is uneven, seasonal or growing fast
- You’re self-employed or own a business and don’t have withholding to cover it
- You’re deciding on an S corp election, retirement plan or big purchase
- You want someone to tell you what to pay each quarter, and why
Four steps, start to finish
- Step 1
Free review
We review last year’s return and this year’s picture so far, then send a fixed quote.
- Step 2
Baseline projection
We build your projection and set the next estimated payment.
- Step 3
Quarterly updates
Before each estimate deadline, we refresh the projection from your numbers and confirm the payment.
- Step 4
Year-end session
In the fall we meet to model open decisions and lock in the plan for filing season.
What we’ll ask you for
Don’t have everything? That’s normal. Bring what you have to the review and we’ll tell you what else we need — and we can pull much of it from the IRS directly.
- Last year’s return
- Year-to-date profit and loss, or bank and card access for your bookkeeper
- Year-to-date pay stubs and withholding
- Estimated payments made so far
- Upcoming decisions you’re weighing (purchases, hires, entity changes)
Flat fee, quoted up front
No hourly meter. After your free review we send a fixed quote, and we tell you before doing any work outside it.
Or compare our all-in-one plans →Quarterly projections, estimates and a year-end session. Included in the Planned and Protected plans.
Book a free reviewCommon questions
What are the estimated tax deadlines?
Federal estimated payments are generally due in mid-April, mid-June, mid-September and mid-January of the following year. We send a reminder and the exact amount before each one.
Is planning included in a plan, or separate?
Quarterly planning is included in the Planned and Protected plans. You can also add it on its own if you only need individual returns.
Will planning guarantee I don’t owe in April?
No one can guarantee the final number, because income changes. What planning does is keep the balance predictable and help you avoid underpayment penalties by meeting the safe-harbor rules.
I’m starting mid-year. Is it too late?
No. Starting mid-year still gives you the remaining estimate deadlines and the year-end decisions, which are often where the biggest differences are.
Read up first
Quarterly estimated taxes for high earners: the safe harbor, explained
If withholding doesn’t cover your income, the safe harbor rules tell you how much to pay each quarter to avoid an underpayment penalty — even in a year your income jumps.
Sep 16, 2026 · 6 min readThe year-end tax planning checklist for business owners
What to do before December 31 — retirement deadlines, equipment purchases, fourth-quarter estimates, S corp payroll and 2026’s new charitable rules — and what can still wait until next year.
Sep 28, 2026 · 7 min readSEP-IRA or Solo 401(k)? Retirement plans for the self-employed
Both let you save far more than a regular IRA. Here’s how the 2026 limits work, what each plan lets you contribute at different income levels, and the deadlines that matter.
Jul 22, 2026 · 6 min readOne firm for all of it
Talk it through with a preparer
A free 30-minute review with a CPA or enrolled agent. We look at your last return and what’s changed, answer your questions, and send a fixed quote. No obligation.