What we look at, in order
- 1Where the year actually landed. Real numbers from the books, not a projection from June.
- 2Threshold proximity. How close are you to the Metro SHS threshold, the Preschool for All threshold, the CAT threshold, a federal bracket edge?
- 3Retirement capacity. Solo 401(k), SEP, traditional IRA — how much room is left and what it is worth in tax.
- 4Income timing. Invoices, bonuses, distributions and asset sales that can move across the year boundary.
- 5Deduction timing. Equipment purchases, prepaid expenses, charitable giving and whether bunching helps.
- 6Capital gains and losses. Harvesting losses, and watching the wash-sale rule when you do.
- 7Cross-border position. A move planned for spring may be worth accelerating or deferring — see moving between Oregon and Washington.
Business-side moves
- Equipment placed in service before year end, where the depreciation genuinely helps
- Reasonable compensation review for S-corporations — before the last payroll of the year, not after
- Bonus and distribution timing across the year boundary
- PTE-E election evaluation, which has its own election and payment deadlines
- Accounts receivable and payable timing for cash-basis businesses
- Retirement plan establishment — some plans must exist before year end even if funded later
When should we meet?
October or early November for most people. Late enough that the year is largely known, early enough that the moves are still executable.
Is there anything I can still do in January?
A few things — IRA contributions for the prior year, and SEP contributions up to the extended due date. Most of the rest closed on 31 December.
I am moving to Washington next year. Does timing matter?
Considerably. The date residency changes determines how income near that date is taxed, and for a large one-off event such as a business sale or stock vesting it can be the largest tax decision of the year.
Do you charge for a planning meeting?
Planning is a separate engagement from return preparation. Call and describe the situation and we will tell you what it involves before anything starts.
Talk it through before filing season starts
Start with a complimentary 15-minute introductory call about your situation and whether we are a good fit. No tax advice is given on that call.
Written by
Enrolled Agent, Oregon Licensed Tax Consultant
License number: Enrolled Agent 00160070-EA · Oregon Licensed Tax Consultant 35746-C
Heather has spent more than a decade preparing individual and business returns across the Portland metro and the Columbia Gorge, and holds unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS.
Last reviewed
This page is general information about Oregon, Washington and federal tax rules, not advice about your own return. Thresholds and rates change every year. Figures were verified as of August 2026 — check the linked official sources, or talk to us about your situation.