Tax planning and fractional CFO
Most decisions that move your tax bill have to be made before December 31. We use your real numbers to choose the right entity, set your salary, plan quarterly estimates and time big purchases. The CFO plan adds a monthly forecast and a KPI review.
Updated November 2026
What does tax planning cover?
Planning starts from books we keep current, which is why it lives inside a monthly plan.
A review every quarter
Year-to-date numbers, where you'll land and what to change.
Your estimates
Quarterly amounts and reminders, sized to real profit.
LLC or S-Corp
The analysis, and the election when it pays.
Owner salary
A reasonable salary for S-Corp owners, reviewed each year.
Year-end moves
Equipment timing, retirement contributions and accountable plans.
State effects
What where you live and sell does to the plan.
A monthly forecast
Profit and cash for the months ahead, updated as the year moves.
A KPI review meeting
The handful of numbers that run your business, every month.
A second opinion
On hiring, pricing and financing, with the numbers behind it.
Neither plan includes investment advice, legal advice or business valuations.
- An S-Corp election once profit is well above a reasonable salary
- A SEP-IRA or solo 401(k) to shelter part of the profit
- Section 179 and bonus depreciation, so equipment timing matters
- An accountable plan to reimburse home office, phone and mileage
- The qualified business income deduction, up to 20% for many owners
- Health premiums for S-Corp owners run through payroll
How does planning work through the year?
Plans change when the business changes, so we look again every quarter.
Baseline
Last year's return and this year's books.
The plan
The two or three moves that matter most.
Quarterly check-ins
Numbers updated, estimates adjusted.
Year end
Last moves before December 31.
How much does tax planning cost?
Start with a one-time review, or get planning every quarter inside a monthly plan.
Planning review
One time, with your numbers
$350
- Entity and salary questions answered
- Estimates sized to real profit
- Written next steps
Quarterly
In the Complete plan
$650/mo
- Books, payroll and both returns
- Projections every quarter
- Year-end moves before December
CFO
Bigger decisions
$1,100/mo
- Everything in Complete
- A monthly forecast
- A KPI review meeting
Not sure which tier fits? We confirm it, and the fixed price, on a free call before any work starts.
Planning questions, answered.
Ask anything else on a free 30-minute call.
Book a callSources: IRS Publication 505, retirement plans for the self-employed
Free tools: Quarterly tax calculator, S-Corp calculator, Solo 401(k) calculator, Break-even calculator
Is tax planning worth it for a small business?
Usually, once the business makes a steady profit. The biggest wins come from decisions you only make once a year, like your entity, salary and retirement contributions. We'll tell you on the first call whether planning is likely to pay for itself.
Should my LLC be taxed as an S-Corp?
Maybe. The election pays once profit is well above a reasonable salary for your role, after the extra payroll and return costs. Our S-Corp vs LLC guide walks through the math.
What does a virtual CFO do?
Turns your books into decisions. A monthly forecast of profit and cash, and a meeting on the numbers that run your business, like food and labor cost for a restaurant or burn and runway for a startup.
Do you give investment advice?
No. We plan taxes, salary, estimates and cash. For investments, talk to a licensed financial advisor. We're happy to work alongside one.
Can you help me get a business loan?
We prepare the financial statements and projections lenders ask for and explain them to you. The lending decision is the bank's.
Tell us what's messy. We'll tell you what it takes.
Tell us what you need and get a fixed price before any work starts. No pressure and no contract.