Strategy Moves That Set You Up for a Strong 2026
The end of the year isn’t just about closing the books — it’s about positioning your business for growth. If you want 2026 to be your strongest year yet, the smartest move you can make right now is a strategic review of your performance, processes, and priorities.
At GLM Accounting & Business Advisory, we help business owners use year-end as a launchpad — not a landing zone. Here’s where to focus your energy.

1. Review Your Revenue Streams
Not all revenue is created equal.
Ask yourself:

• What services or products were most profitable?
• Which ones required the most time but produced the least return?
• Where did referrals or repeat business come from?

A year-end review helps you double down on what works and reduce what drains resources.

2. Evaluate Your Costs and Spending
High expenses don’t always mean inefficiency — but they do deserve attention.
Review:

• Vendor contracts
• Subscriptions
• Payroll and staffing structure
• Marketing spend
• Rent and utilities

Small operational tweaks now can significantly improve margins next year.

3. Strengthen Your Financial Systems
A strong year in business often falls apart without strong systems. Consider:

• Updating your chart of accounts
• Streamlining invoicing
• Reviewing AR/AP aging
• Setting up tracking dashboards
• Integrating apps with QuickBooks or another system

Clear systems create better decisions.

4. Set 2026 Targets You Can Actually Measure
Many business owners set vague goals (“grow revenue” or “get more clients”). Instead, choose measurable, trackable targets:

• Revenue growth percentage
• New clients added
• Networking or referral targets
• Website or conversion goals
• A specific efficiency improvement

Clear goals guide clear action — and make success easier to celebrate.

5. Build Your Tax Strategy for the New Year
Once you’ve wrapped up 2025 tax planning, consider your 2026 plan:

• Adjust payroll
• Review entity structure
• Plan major purchases early
• Set up retirement plans
• Schedule quarterly reviews

Being proactive gives you far more options than scrambling in December.

6. Meet With Your Advisory Team
​Your CPA, attorney, insurance advisor, and business strategist all play a role in your growth.
A quick year-end meeting can:

• Keep everyone aligned
• Prevent blind spots
• Help you make informed decisions early in the year

At GLM, we partner with business owners to develop a clear strategic path for the year ahead.

Start 2026 with intention, clarity, and a plan. If you’d like help reviewing your business strategy or setting next year’s financial goals, GLM is here to guide you every step of the way.

What You Can Still Do Before Year-End
As we approach the end of 2025, many business owners are looking for ways to reduce their tax bill before the year closes. The good news? There are still several smart, legal, and strategic tax moves you can make — but only if you act quickly.
At GLM Accounting & Business Advisory, we help business owners finish the year strong with clarity, accuracy, and no surprises. Here are the last-minute strategies worth considering:

1. Accelerate Necessary Purchases
If you know you’ll need equipment, software, or supplies early next year, purchasing them now may allow you to take advantage of Section 179 or bonus depreciation (if eligible).
This is especially useful for:

• Equipment upgrades
• Computers & technology
• Office furniture
• Tools or machinery

Just make sure the items are placed in service by year-end.

2. Maximize Retirement Contributions
Contributing to your retirement plans lowers taxable income and strengthens long-term security. Consider:

• Solo 401(k)
• SEP IRA
• SIMPLE IRA

Even if contributions can technically be made next year, the plan often must be established by year-end. Waiting risks losing the deduction entirely.

3. Clean Up Your Books (Don’t Skip This Step)
Accurate books can reveal deductions you almost missed — especially in categories like:

• Mileage
• Business meals
• Subscriptions
• Home office
• Depreciation

Many business owners accidentally leave money on the table simply because expenses weren’t categorized properly. A quick year-end review can make a big difference.

4. Prepay Certain Expenses
Depending on your accounting method, you may be able to prepay items such as:

• Rent
• Insurance
• Professional services
• Advertising

This can shift deductions into the current year and lower your taxable income.

5. Review Estimated Tax Payments
If you’ve had a strong year, you may need to adjust your Q4 estimate. If revenue dipped, you may be able to avoid overpaying.
This is one of the quickest ways to avoid penalties — and prevent unnecessary cash from leaving the business.

6. Meet With Your Accountant Before December 31

A 20–30 minute tax planning session can:

• Reveal opportunities specific to your business
• Prevent costly mistakes
• Confirm you’re following IRS rules
• Help you start 2026 with a clean slate

Giving Tuesday is widely known as a day of generosity, but it can also be an important part of a smart year-end tax strategy. For individuals and business owners, charitable giving done correctly can support both meaningful causes and effective financial planning. Here’s how to approach Giving Tuesday with an accounting and tax mindset.

1. Charitable Giving Can Reduce Your Taxable Income
If you itemize deductions, eligible charitable donations may reduce your taxable income. To ensure your contribution qualifies:
Confirm the organization is a qualified 501(c)(3)
Only donations to approved charitable organizations can be deducted. You can verify eligibility using the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.

Keep proper documentation
For cash donations under $250, a receipt or bank record is sufficient. For larger donations, request a written acknowledgment from the charity.

Non-cash donations also qualify
Items such as clothing, furniture, equipment, inventory, or securities may qualify. Items must generally be in good usable condition, and larger donations of property may require an appraisal.

2. Donating Appreciated Assets Can Maximize Benefits
One of the most tax-efficient ways to give is by donating appreciated assets, such as:

• Stocks
• Mutual funds
• Cryptocurrency
• Real estate (in some cases)

By donating rather than selling, you may avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation and potentially deduct the full fair market value—making this a powerful strategy for high-income individuals and business owners.

3. Business Owners: Giving Can Support Your Tax Strategy
Businesses often overlook how charitable giving fits into tax planning.
Consider the following:

Corporations
C corporations can typically deduct charitable contributions up to 10% of taxable income. Giving Tuesday can be a strategic time to manage year-end profits.

Pass-through entities
For S-corporations, partnerships, and LLCs, charitable contributions often pass through to the owners and impact their personal returns. Timing and structure matter.

Sponsorship may be more advantageous than a donation
If your business provides support to a nonprofit in exchange for advertising or event visibility, it may qualify as a marketing expense—not a charitable deduction—which can sometimes provide a more favorable tax outcome.

4. Donor-Advised Funds Offer Flexibility
If you want the deduction this year but need more time to decide where to give, a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) can help.

A DAF allows you to:

• Contribute funds now and secure the deduction
• Distribute grants to charities in the future
• Manage large or irregular income years more effectively

This is often a useful tool for business owners and high-income earners.

5. Track All Contributions Throughout the Year
Many taxpayers miss out on deductions simply due to poor recordkeeping. Be sure to track:

• Cash donations
• Non-cash donations
• Payroll giving
• Volunteer mileage (if applicable)
• Donor acknowledgments and receipts

GLM can help you summarize and organize these contributions at year-end to ensure nothing is overlooked.

6. Use Giving Tuesday to Review Your Year-End Tax Plan
Charitable giving works best when it’s part of a broader strategy. Consider how Giving Tuesday fits into your plan for:

• Managing taxable income
• Offsetting capital gains
• Maximizing itemized deductions
• Managing business profitability
• Planning ahead for next year

Our team can help you evaluate the best approach based on your specific situation.

Final Thoughts
Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to support meaningful causes, but it also plays an important role in effective year-end tax planning. With the right structure, your generosity can provide valuable financial benefits.
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If you’d like help organizing your charitable giving strategy or understanding your tax implications, GLM Accounting & Business Advisory is here to assist.