Pre-Year-End Tax Planning Meetings: What to Expect and Why They Matter

As we approach the final quarter of your financial year, it’s the perfect time to talk about one of the most valuable services we offer—your Pre-Year-End Tax Planning Meeting.

This meeting is designed specifically for you, as an existing client, to make sure you’re in the best possible position before your accounting year closes. While it’s true that if you’ve made a profit, some tax is inevitable, there are often ways to reduce your tax bill with smart, timely decisions—but only if we act before the year-end.

Why It Matters

Most tax-saving opportunities rely on timing. Once your financial year has ended, we’re limited in what we can do to reduce your tax bill. But two months before your year-end? That’s a sweet spot.

We’ll use this meeting to estimate your upcoming corporation tax bill and explore any available planning options to reduce it—keeping more cash in your business and supporting your personal goals at the same time.

What We'll Cover in the Meeting

Every client’s business is different, so your meeting will be tailored to your specific situation. That said, here’s what you can typically expect:

1. An Estimate of Your Corporation Tax Liability

We’ll walk you through your year-to-date performance and estimate your expected tax bill—so there are no surprises later.

2. Tax Planning Opportunities

We’ll identify any steps you can take now to legitimately reduce your corporation tax. Some examples include:

• Making pension contributions

• Investing in capital equipment

• Reviewing R&D claims

• Writing off bad debts

• Timing income and expenses strategically

• Reviewing director/shareholder remuneration

3. Remuneration Planning

We’ll make sure your salary, dividends, pension contributions, and other income streams are structured as tax-efficiently as possible—for both this year and the one ahead.

If your spouse supports the business, we’ll consider whether a salary is appropriate. We’ll also look at how the company pays for things like life insurance—there may be a better way (such as a Relevant Life Policy).

4. Personal Financial Overview

Where relevant, we’ll also touch on your personal finances and how they interact with the business—especially if you’re drawing funds for family expenses, investments, or property purchases.

We can coordinate with your existing financial adviser or introduce you to our partners at Pareto Financial Planners, who offer trusted advice aligned with your business and personal goals.

5. Long-Term Planning

We’ll take a step back to look at your future:

• What are your goals for the next 5–10 years?

• Are you planning to scale, sell, or pass the business on?

• Do you have appropriate plans in place for inheritance, wills, and succession?

We believe in building businesses that support your life—not the other way around. These conversations help us keep your business aligned with your bigger picture.

When to Book

We recommend scheduling your pre-year-end meeting around month 10 of your 12-month accounting year. That gives us time to implement any agreed actions before the year closes—and means you're well prepared with no last-minute scrambling.

We’ll be in touch to remind you when your meeting is due.

Let’s Make It Count

This meeting isn’t just about tax—it’s about being intentional with your business and making sure your money is working as hard as you are. You’ve put in the effort this year—now let’s make sure you get to keep as much of the reward as possible.