Are you thinking of starting a tax business this year? Now is the perfect time to get started! If you already have a tax business, hopefully you’ve taken time to evaluate your 2021 tax season. You can use that information as a launch pad for what you should be working on beginning this summer. Here’s a short list of a few things you can get started on right away…
Networking
Now that tax season has ended and you’ve had a break, it’s important to get out there. The pandemic is slowing down, and social distancing and mask restrictions are being relaxed. It’s the perfect time to start looking into how you can get plugged into a networking group. If you’re not ready to meet in person, there are virtual groups meeting regularly, too. You can even network while you do other things – like volunteering your time. Like-minded people tend to want to do business with one another and help them succeed. So, step out of your comfort zone. You just might be surprised how it will help your business grow!
Attend the 2021 IRS Nationwide Tax Forum
For the second year in a row, the IRS Nationwide Tax Forum will be virtual. This year it will consist of 30 live-streamed webinars between July 20, 2021 and August 19, 2021. Webinars are offered every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 11:00am and 2:00pm eastern time each week. The detailed schedule of webinars is available here.
The Virtual IRS Nationwide Tax Forum is a great time to:
- Earn continuing education from the comfort of your home.
- Get updates on tax law, cybersecurity, ethics and more.
- Visit with industry-leading vendors in the Virtual Expo – Surgent Income Tax School will be there! It’s a great time to learn about new products and services, and the different tax software options that are available.
Learn more about the tax forum and register
Marketing planning
Did you have a marketing plan this year? If so, have you taken the time to evaluate what worked for you? Are you on social media? If so, are you active? It doesn’t really take that much effort to post a few times a week. Something relevant that your clients will find helpful. Do you have a website? If so, is it up-to-date? Spend time thinking about how you’re going to bring in new clients next year, and keep the ones you have? It starts now. You have to plant the seeds early! Check out our Tax Business Marketing Manual if you need some guidance!
Training and hiring
Did you have enough help this tax season? Or was it just you, and now you’re thinking you might want to hire one or more people to grow your business? Do you have a plan on how you will find new tax preparers? Did you know recruiting and training tax preparers in-house is a best practice that can provide you with solid tax preparers that are home-grown and hand-picked by you.
Organize and revamp your office
Your office may have been neglected during tax season. Take some time to clean it up, and add or replace equipment and furniture. Did you feel organized this tax season? Maybe there are things you can do now to improve efficiency and organization for next year. Check out our Tax Office Operations Manual for ideas on streamlining your business. You can also take this time to update software and anything else that may be dated.
Add value
Meet with your current clients sometime between July and November to find out what they have going on. It’s amazing what you will find out when you take a few minutes to chat. If you only meet with your clients at tax time, you may be missing out on opportunities to help them save on their taxes – especially if your clients are just dropping off their tax information. Your busy, your clients are busy, and everyone just wants to get the return completed and filed. Take the time to add value. It can make such a difference and will also give your clients even more reason to stay loyal to you! There are so many options available today, including self-preparation. Don’t let them slip out of your hands!