Short answer: yes. A proactive, year-round tax strategy can legally minimize your tax bill by aligning entity choice, timing, credits, deductions, retirement, and bookkeeping with your goals. Our Enrolled Agent (EA) team builds plans for individuals, landlords, and small businesses across Tampa Bay. Explore how each lever works—and when to use it.

What a Real Tax Strategy Includes

Entity design: LLC, S-Corp, partnership—or stay Schedule C
Comp & draws: Reasonable salary, distributions, owner basis
Timing: Defer/accelerate income & expenses; safe harbors
Credits: Energy/EV, childcare, education, R&D (when applicable)

Deductions: Home office, vehicle, Section 179, bonus depreciation
Retirement: SEP, Solo 401(k), cash balance strategies
Real estate: Cost segregation, 1031, STR/LTR rules
Bookkeeping: Audit-ready records & monthly reconciliations

1) Entity Choice Can Lower Your Overall Tax

The right entity impacts self-employment tax, payroll, and qualified business income (QBI). Many owners benefit from an S-Corp election once profit levels justify a reasonable salary. We evaluate compensation, owner basis, and state exposure before recommending changes. Learn more about our accounting & bookkeeping and tax preparation services.

2) Timing & Safe Harbors

Strategic deferral/acceleration of income and expenses can smooth spikes and avoid penalties. Quarterly estimates leverage safe harbor rules to reduce underpayment risk. We forecast your year to target the most efficient timing, backed by monthly Controller/CFO reviews.

3) Credits & Deductions You Might Be Missing

From energy credits to education benefits, credits reduce tax directly. Deductions—from home office to vehicle and depreciation—require documentation. We implement receipt capture, an accountable plan, and policy memos to substantiate your position.

4) Retirement Plans for Owners

SEP IRA, Solo 401(k), or a cash balance plan can dramatically increase deductions while building wealth. The right choice depends on age, profit, and payroll mix. We model scenarios during tax planning season.

5) Real Estate: Cost Seg, 1031 & STR

Investors can accelerate deductions via cost segregation, defer gains with a 1031 exchange, and (in specific cases) treat short-term rentals (STR) as non-passive if material participation tests are met.

How We Work (Tampa Bay)

Discovery: 30-minute call to identify goals & savings levers
Plan: Written tax strategy with entity, timing, credits & deductions
Implement: Payroll, retirement, bookkeeping, policy docs
Monitor: Quarterly check-ins and year-end optimization

Schedule Consultation

FAQs

How soon can a tax strategy save money?

Often in the current year if we implement payroll, estimated taxes, or entity changes early enough.

Do I need perfect books before planning?

No—but clean books mean better decisions. We can clean up and set monthly workflows in parallel.

Is an S-Corp always better?

Not always. It depends on profit, payroll, admin costs, and your long-term goals. We run the math.

Can real estate losses offset W-2 income?

Sometimes, you might qualify for real estate professional status or meet the criteria for short-term rental (STR) material participation rules, both of which can offer substantial tax advantages and financial benefits. Achieving these qualifications enables you to potentially deduct a greater amount of expenses and strategically optimize your overall tax situation related to your real estate investments, thereby maximizing your financial returns and improving your investment efficiency.

Ready to Lower Your Tax Bill—Legally?

Receive a fully customized and comprehensive plan that thoroughly covers every important aspect of your financial and investment needs, including detailed entity selection tailored to your situation, the most advantageous timing for making critical decisions, all available tax credits you may qualify for, applicable deductions to maximize your savings, effective retirement strategies designed for long-term security, and smart real estate investment tactics to grow your wealth wisely. Begin your journey with a relaxed, no-obligation 30-minute introductory call specifically designed to address your unique needs and personal goals in detail, ensuring you feel confident and informed every step of the way.