Year-End Financial Checklist
Written by Aparna Devalla, CPA
Curated by Rubric Financial
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Tax Planning Before Year-End
- Review estimated tax payments made throughout the year and determine if additional payments are needed to avoid underpayment penalties at the federal and state level.
- Evaluate whether to accelerate deductible expenses (equipment purchases, prepaid expenses) or defer income to optimize your current-year tax position.
- Assess eligibility for the R&D tax credit and ensure you have documentation of qualifying activities and expenses to support your claim.
- Review your entity structure and state tax obligations to identify any planning opportunities before the year closes, including potential Section 199A deductions for pass-through entities.
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