Lessons from Tax Season 2025: What I’ve Learned as a Tax Advisor

Another tax season is in the books, and let me tell you—2025 has been a year of lessons. Not just for my clients, but for me as well. As a tax advisor, I’ve worked with people across different income levels and industries, and one thing became crystal clear this season: too many people are leaving money on the table simply because they are not prepared.

The Reality I Saw This Season

Let me break down some recurring patterns I saw with tax clients this year:

1. Lack of Preparation

Most clients, especially small business clients, came to me late in the game—scrambling for documents, trying to remember what expenses they had, or worse, guessing.

Without organized financials or a proactive approach, they didn’t give themselves a chance to take advantage of the tax system the way they could have.

2. Not Knowing the Deductions They Qualify For

I can’t tell you how many clients said, “I didn’t know I could write that off.” From mileage, meals, supplies, home office expenses, and even tax prep fees—these are all legitimate deductions that people miss because no one ever explained them and they weren't keeping a proper paper trial of these expenses.

3. No Tax Strategy or Planning

Many people, even six-figure earners, are just filing taxes year after year with no plan. The truth is, if you’re not intentionally planning around the tax code, you’re overpaying. Period. The tax code has legal opportunities built into it—you just need to know how to use them.

For Small Business Owners: A Bigger Wake-Up Call

For small business owners and independent professionals, it was even more obvious:

• No bookkeeping system in place

• Thinking that they do not need a bookkeeper

• Shoeboxes of receipts or no receipts at all

• No separation between business and personal finances

• No quarterly reviews or estimated tax planning

That lack of organization not only leads to missed deductions, but also a separate fee outside of your tax preparation fees, due to me having to do research and restructure your expenses. That’s why you need monthly bookkeeping to avoid crunching numbers all at once during the current tax season. Time is money.

So Here's What I’m Doing Moving Forward

I’m not just a tax preparer—I’m a tax strategist and financial partner. I want my clients to win, and that means equipping them with more than just a tax return.

Here’s what I’m now offering to help solve these problems:

Year-Round Tax Planning

Don’t wait until April. Let’s meet ahead of time to build a strategy based on your income, deductions, and future goals.

Monthly Bookkeeping for Small Business Owners

Using QuickBooks, I’ll help you keep everything clean, categorized, and audit-ready.

Budgeting & Financial Checkups

These sessions help you stay on track financially, plan for tax payments, and make smarter business decisions.

Education on Deductions & Compliance

You don’t know what you don’t know—but I do, and I’ll teach you. From LLC setups to 1099-NEC reporting and IRS compliance, I’m covering it all.

Final Thoughts

If this tax season caught you off guard, don’t beat yourself up—but don’t repeat the same mistakes. The tax code isn’t just about paying the government. It’s a tool that, when understood and used properly, can help you build wealth, protect your income, and grow your business.

Let’s not wait until next tax season to fix what can be started today. Whether you're a W-2 earner that's tired of owing every tax season, or a business owner overwhelmed by paperwork, I'm here to help you prepare, plan, and profit.

Ready to take control of your finances? Let’s schedule a call and get you set up the right way!