Small Business Taxes Check In

What You Can Learn Before the Deadline

Pop's Bakery in Washington, D.C. raised more than $57k on the Honeycomb Credit platform.

Whew! 

If you're a C-Corp or regular tax filer, we’re in the home stretch of tax season—take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back. But before you get too caught up in the final countdown, let’s talk about how to make next year’s small business taxes a breeze (or at least less of a headache). A little bit of planning now can mean more deductions, fewer surprises, and a smoother ride come 2026. Here’s how to set yourself up for success.

1. Give Your Small Business Taxes a Once-Over

If there’s one thing we can be certain of - other than taxes - it’s that mistakes happen. Before you hit that submit button (or before your accountant does), take a minute to review your return. This is your chance to catch mistakes, spot missed deductions, and set yourself up for an even better tax season next year.

Key Things to Check:

• Did you report all your income? (Oops, that Venmo payment from a client counts too.)

  
  

• Did you claim all the deductions you’re eligible for? Business meals, home office expenses, and software subscriptions all add up.

  
  

• How do your estimated tax payments compare? If you underpaid, make time to fix that for next year so you’re not hit with penalties.

  
  

2. Find Those Hidden Deductions (Because Free Money is Great)

One of the biggest mistakes small business owners make? Leaving money on the table by not claiming all their deductions. Don’t let that be you!

Deductions You Might’ve Missed for Small Business Taxes:

• Business Meals: That lunch meeting? Partially deductible. (But not your solo coffee runs—sorry.)

  
  

• Home Office: If you’ve got a legit, dedicated workspace at home, you could be saving big.

  
  

• Education & Training: That marketing course? Write it off.

  
  

• Advertising & Branding: Social media ads, website hosting, and even business cards can be deductible.

  
  

3. Get Your Financial Life Together (Future You Will Thank You)

If small business taxes feel like a 5 year old chasing a butterfly, now’s the time to get organized. A little effort now saves a ton of stress later. You know - like, this time next year. Instead of chasing down receipts, you could be sailing through tax season.

Pro Tips for Staying Organized:

• Separate Business & Personal Finances: If you’re still using one account for everything, now would be a great time to change that. Keeping them together is keeping your taxes messy. While creating separate accounts may seem like overkill, you'll quickly wonder why it took you so long to do it.

  
  

• Digitize Your Receipts: Apps like Expensify or Shoeboxed can keep track of your expenses so you’re not drowning in paper next April. But don’t forget - they only work if you use them!

  
  

• Track Your Mileage: If you’re driving for business, those miles add up to serious deductions.

  
  

4. Plan Ahead—Because Scrambling in April is No Fun

Savvy business owners don’t react to small business taxes. Instead, they prepare for them. I mean, we all know they’re coming, so let’s make a game plan now so next year is smooth sailing.

Moves to Make Now:

• Adjust Your Quarterly Tax Payments: If your income jumped this year, update those estimated payments to avoid a nasty tax bill next season.

  
  

• Look into Retirement Contributions: SEP IRAs, Solo 401(k)s, and SIMPLE IRAs can help you save for the future and lower your taxable income.

  
  

• Consult a Tax Pro: Even if you DIY’d your taxes this year (good for you!), a quick chat with a CPA could uncover hidden ways to save more next year.

  
  

5. Keep an Eye on Tax Law Changes (Because the IRS Loves to Keep Things Interesting)

Tax laws shift all the time, and it’s no fun being caught off guard when tax season gets here. One way you can stay ahead is to follow IRS updates or check in with a tax professional.

What Might Change for Small Business Taxes in 2026?

• Possible updates to tax brackets and deduction limits

  
  

• New incentives for small businesses (fingers crossed!)

  
  

• Adjustments to business expense rules (because why keep things simple?)

  
  

Final Thoughts

Small business taxes don’t have to be a less fun than a root canal. By staying organized, maximizing deductions, and planning ahead, you can take control of your tax obligations instead of letting them creep up on you. And it probably goes without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway: I'm not a tax professional, so make sure you do your due diligence and check the rules and regulations for where you live.

So keep pushing through these last few weeks—the end is in sight! And once the dust settles, let’s get to work making next year even better.