How to Approach Tax Planning with Clarity and Foresight

Rebecca Adrian

Manager, National Tax Office at Baker Tilly

Proactive, year-round tax planning can help mid-market businesses reduce stress, stay compliant, and make more informed decisions.

Tax season is just around the corner. Are you ready? Being prepared can save time, money, and stress for mid-market business leaders, CFOs, entrepreneurs, and family business owners.

Mediaplanet spoke with Rebecca Adrian, Manager in the National Tax Office at Baker Tilly, about how businesses can approach tax season more strategically and why working with a proactive, trusted advisor can make a meaningful difference.

Tax season can be complex for mid-market businesses. What does tax readiness look like today, and where do organizations most often get caught off guard?

The trick to tax readiness is being on top of your information throughout the year, rather than scrambling at year-end. Mid-year check-ins with a trusted advisor give businesses time to pivot on major transactions and spot opportunities before it’s too late. Early engagement also shifts the relationship from pure compliance to collaboration.

What steps should business leaders be taking now to stay compliant and reduce last-minute stress as deadlines approach?

You should be checking in with your advisor, who’s going to be helping you navigate your taxes. Even if your file isn’t ready, checking in early allows advisors to flag changes that affect how records should be prepared.

Tax professionals today should do much more than just file your returns. There’s a lot of nuance and strategy involved in taxes, we’re involved in everything from operations to estate planning and legacy building. Those mid-year check-ins are pivotal to realizing broader business objectives.

Beyond compliance, how can strategic tax planning support better decision-making and long-term business growth?

Understanding tax implications can be as important as understanding the cost of materials or operations. Early planning can make sure you’re set up to achieve milestone objectives, like retirement or legacy goals, and helps avoid unforeseen tax liabilities that could limit options later or undo years of hard work.

How are modernization and technology changing the way that tax teams operate, and where are you seeing the biggest efficiency gains?

We’re seeing huge efficiency gains in our ability to move from data entry to review. Achieving compliance is faster now, allowing advisors to focus on strategic discussions. Technology also makes it easier for clients to understand results, as we can illustrate them with dashboard summaries.

What does it mean for Baker Tilly to act as a trusted tax advisor, particularly for mid-market and family-owned businesses who are facing ongoing change?

Baker Tilly’s approach is unique in that it’s a holistic approach that recognizes that tax planning is ultimately a human plan. The best tax plan isn’t effective if it undermines your family dynamics or business culture, sometimes the best solution isn’t the most tax efficient one. Tax is meant to complement a business plan, not run the conversation.