As We Head Into Tax Season: 7 Bookkeeping Habits That Will Save You Time, Money & Stress
- Teri Gibson
- Nov 19
- 2 min read
A Thanksgiving-Week GAs Thanksgiving approaches and we reflect on gratitude, many business owners feel something else creeping in too: tax-season anxiety.If you’re already wondering where your receipts are… or if your books are “close enough”… you’re not alone. This time of year is when small business owners across the country realize just how much smoother things could be with consistent bookkeeping habits.
The good news?You still have time to get everything in order—and build habits that make next year so much easier.
Here are seven practical, stress-saving bookkeeping habits that truly make a difference.
1. Separate Your Business & Personal Finances—For Real This Time
If there’s one thing that makes bookkeeping (and tax prep) messy, it’s mixing expenses.This year, commit to:
A dedicated business checking account
A business debit/credit card
Stopping the “I’ll sort it out later” habit
This one shift instantly makes your books cleaner and gives you accurate income and expense tracking.
2. Categorize Expenses Weekly—Not Quarterly
Think of it like doing laundry: small loads weekly are better than a mountain at once.Spending 15–20 minutes a week reviewing transactions:
Prevents missed deductions
Helps you spot unusual charges
Keeps your accountant from having to play detective in February
Weekly categorizing is one of the highest-ROI bookkeeping habits you can adopt.
3. Digitize EVERYTHING Before You Lose It
Receipts fade. Envelopes disappear. Vehicles swallow paperwork whole.Before that happens:
Snap receipts with your phone
Upload documents to a secure folder
Keep vendor and contractor invoices organized by month
Whether you use QuickBooks, Google Drive, or a shoebox-to-digital system—just be consistent.
4. Review Your Profit & Loss Statement Each Month
Your P&L tells a story—if you read it.Monthly reviews help you understand:
Where money is coming from
Where it’s being wasted
What’s actually driving profit
This empowers smarter decisions before the year ends (not after the tax return is filed).
5. Reconcile Your Accounts Every Month
This is the step that ensures your books match your bank.If your accounts aren’t reconciled regularly, you can accidentally:
Duplicate transactions
Miss expenses
Underreport income
Overpay taxes
Monthly reconciliation = clean, audit-proof books.
6. Get Ready for 1099s BEFORE January
If you paid contractors this year, start organizing that list now.Pro tip:Verify each contractor has already submitted their W-9 so you’re not chasing paperwork in January.
7. Know When It’s Time to Ask for Help
If bookkeeping has become overwhelming… you’re behind… or you’re unsure what to categorize—you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Hiring a bookkeeper doesn’t just save time. It protects your business.
The Accountant TN LLC offers:
Full-service bookkeeping
Clean-ups and catch-ups
Account reconciliation
Monthly reporting
QuickBooks setup & support
Payroll processing
Tax-season preparation
Peace of mind (the underrated benefit)
You’ll go into tax season organized, confident, and ready.
Final Thoughts: Set Yourself Up for a Stress-Free Tax Season
Thanksgiving reminds us to slow down, reflect, and prepare for what’s ahead.If you start putting these habits in place now, tax season will feel less like a storm and more like just another month on the calendar.
If you need help getting your books back on track—or want us to take bookkeeping off your plate completely—we’re here for you.
Contact The Accountant TN LLC
✨ Monthly bookkeeping packages start at $297
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