We recently worked with a high-income contractor who had a strong year and came in late Q4 looking to reduce taxes. Some strategies still worked. Most didn’t.

What can still work late in the year (in limited cases):• Augusta Rule – Rent your home to your business for up to 14 days for legit meetings. Deduction for the business, no personal income (documentation matters).• Cost Segregation – Possible, but risky to rush. Best done earlier.• SEP IRA – Situational and only works if payroll and cash flow were already right.

What’s usually too late by December:• Accountable plans (home office, mileage, phone, internet)• Payroll changes (owner salary, adding a spouse, comp restructuring)

The IRS cares about timing, not intent. Miss the window and the deduction is gone.

The contractors who save the most aren’t aggressive—they’re early.Quarterly planning beats December panic every time.

TLDR: Waiting until December almost guarantees overpaying. The difference between saving $20k and $120k is usually timing, not complexity.

Plan earlier. Work with a CPA who plans—not just files. Book a time: https://accountingsolutionsllp.com/appointment/