Tax Season Tips From Your Bookkeeper (That’ll Save You Time & Stress)

Tax season doesn’t have to be a scramble. In fact, it can be downright smooth with a little bit of prep—and your bookkeeper will thank you for it.

Whether you’ve got a growing small business or you’re just trying to keep your books in order, here are a few things your bookkeeper (hi, it’s me!) wishes you knew before handing things over at tax time.

1. Your Bookkeeper Isn’t a Magician (But We’re Close!)

We can do a lot—clean up messy books, track down missing info, even help you stay calm when you're stressed. But we need your help to get things across the finish line.

That means:

Having your bank and credit card statements handy
Knowing what major purchases were for
Uploading receipts or documents on time

The smoother the paper trail, the faster (and more accurately) we can work.

2. “Clean” Books = Happy Accountant

Tax preparers love tidy financials. When your books are reconciled, categorized, and closed out, your tax filing becomes a breeze—and you save money on billable hours with your CPA.

A few things to check:

Are all months reconciled through the end of the year?
Have all your 1099 contractors been tracked correctly?
Are there any open questions still sitting in your inbox from your bookkeeper?

Tie up those loose ends early and you’ll be everyone’s favorite client.

3. Yes, That Coffee Shop Charge Needs a Category

Every transaction tells a story—and if it’s not clear what that story is, it delays everything. The more descriptive you can be throughout the year (or at least at year-end), the less guesswork we have to do.

Pro tip: A quick note on Venmo or PayPal payments goes a long way.

4. Keep Your Personal and Business Spending Separate

We get it—sometimes lines get blurry. But mixing personal and business expenses in the same account makes tax time way harder. It’s worth the effort to:

Use a dedicated business bank account and card
Avoid reimbursing yourself with vague transfers
Label personal transfers clearly if they do happen

If it’s already a bit messy, don’t worry—we can help untangle it. But let’s clean it up now before April rolls around.

5. Communicate Early and Often

Waiting until the last minute = stress for everyone. If you’re unsure about what to prepare or where things stand, just ask! We’d rather help you now than try to fix things at the eleventh hour.

Bonus: Your bookkeeper probably has a checklist or calendar to guide you through the season. (If you don’t have one—just let us know!)

Final Thoughts

Tax season doesn’t have to be scary. With a little organization, clear communication, and some teamwork, we can make it feel downright manageable.

At J. Arrant Consulting, we’re here to help you breathe easy during tax time and beyond. If you're feeling behind or overwhelmed, don't hesitate to reach out—we're pros at catching up and calming down the chaos.

Want help preparing for tax season? Let’s chat. jarrantconsulting.com/contact