
Summary of What This Blog Covers:
- Key tax questions women should ask to stay strategic.
- Year-end planning tips to maximize deductions and avoid penalties.
- What a CPA should offer beyond filing.
- How to choose a CPA who truly supports your goals.
As a businesswoman, you’re not just filing taxes. You’re managing risk, making strategic decisions, and building a financial life that reflects your values. You’re the CEO of your future, and tax season is an opportunity not an interruption when you have the right guidance.
But here’s the truth: too many women walk into tax season reactive instead of ready. Not because they aren’t capable, but because their CPA isn’t giving them what they need: timely information, proactive planning, and tailored advice that speaks to their business, lifestyle, and goals.
The solution isn’t to work harder on taxes. The solution is to work with a CPA who’s truly in your corner. Asking the right questions, staying in touch year-round, and empowering you with the knowledge to make confident decisions.
So whether you’re working with a CPA in Austin, Texas, or exploring options near you, these are the seven questions every woman entrepreneur should ask before tax season begins. Because it’s not just about preparing a return. It’s about taking control of your future.
1. How Much Should I Pre-Pay to Avoid Penalties?
Quarterly estimated payments are a critical part of managing your tax liability especially for entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals, and anyone earning income outside a traditional W-2. But estimating wrong can lead to underpayment penalties, even if you do pay your full tax bill by April.
This is where your tax professional near you should step in, not just with calculations, but with strategic insight.
- Are you on a volatile income cycle?
- Have you added new revenue streams this year?
- Is your current business model changing your tax profile?
An experienced CPA certified public accountant will not only calculate your required payments based on current IRS safe harbor rules but also align them with your actual earnings and growth trajectory.
If your CPA isn’t helping you refine your estimates quarterly, they’re leaving you exposed.
This question also gives you an early view of whether you’ll owe or receive a refund. Giving you the power to plan ahead, rather than scramble at the deadline.
2. What Expenses Are Deductible for Me Personally?
This is where strategy becomes personal. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to deductions and that’s why this conversation matters so much. From mileage to meals, health insurance to continuing education, the deductions you qualify for are often tied to how your business is structured and how your life intersects with your work.
A skilled Austin tax accountant should take time to understand:
- Your business entity (LLC, S-Corp, sole proprietorship, etc.)
- How your home, car, and tech tools are used in your business
- Whether you’re investing in professional development or charitable giving
- If you qualify for deductions related to children, education, or healthcare
And they should give you clear, tailored advice on how to document these expenses properly.
If your CPA only discusses deductions in March after the year’s over, it’s too late. The right certified public accountant near you will ensure you’re positioned to take the deductions, not just learn about them.
3. What Changed from Last Year That Could Impact My Taxes?
This one matters more than most people realize. Maybe you brought on a business partner. Maybe you started a second income stream. Maybe you took maternity leave, started a nonprofit, or pivoted your service offerings.
Even small changes in your life or business can shift how you should file and what credits or deductions you qualify for.
Tax law also changes every year, and your tax advisor in Austin should be translating that into real-world guidance for you, not expecting you to figure it out on your own.
Key changes to bring up:
- Any new sources of income
- Major purchases or investments
- State-to-state relocations
- Retirement contributions or withdrawals
- Hiring employees or contractors
A trusted certified CPA near you will proactively ask these questions and adjust your strategy accordingly.
4. Am I On Track for My Estimated Payments?
Even if you’ve been paying quarterly estimates, they might not be accurate. Changes in income, business expenses, or tax law can throw your estimates off. And if you wait until your return is filed to find out you were short? It’s too late to fix it without interest or penalties.
A true tax preparation services partner will review your current payments, compare them to your earnings year-to-date, and recommend any adjustments before year-end. That gives you options and keeps your cash flow healthy.
If your CPA never checks in until tax season, you’re doing too much guesswork. The right Austin, TX accountant will remove that burden.
5. Can I Still Claim a Credit or Deduction from a Previous Year?
Here’s the good news: if something was missed on a prior return whether due to oversight, incomplete documentation, or inexperience, it can often be corrected.
That means you could still:
- Claim a missed business deduction
- Amend for a dependent you forgot to list
- Capture credits you didn’t know about at the time (like an energy-efficiency credit)
- Correct depreciation schedules or carryovers
Your chartered professional accountant should be offering periodic reviews of your prior filings, not just to ensure compliance, but to spot opportunities that others may have missed.
If they aren’t? A second opinion from a more thorough CPA firm in Austin, Texas might be in order.
6. What Records Should I Prioritize or Update Before Year-End?
Organization creates opportunity. But you don’t need to become a filing cabinet. You just need to know which records matter.
A strong Austin accounting service should walk you through exactly what’s needed for:
- Your current year return
- Documentation for major deductions or credits
- Potential audits
- Strategic planning for next year
This is especially true for business owners who want to invest, hire, or restructure in the next tax year. The more up-to-date and accurate your records are, the more empowered your CPA is to advise you.
7. What’s My CPA Actually Doing for Me Year-Round?
This might be the most revealing question of all.
If your CPA is only visible from January to April, you’re not getting a true partner. You’re getting a seasonal service provider. And for someone managing a growing business or diverse financial picture, that’s just not enough.
A full-service certified public accountant should:
- Offer tax planning sessions in advance of deadlines
- Help you adjust your business or salary structure for efficiency
- Advise you on estimated payments, cash flow, and compliance risks
- Be accessible for questions without billing by the minute
In short, they should be your financial coach, not just your tax preparer.
If that’s not your experience, you’re not asking too much. You’re just ready for a better experience with a CPA near you now who aligns with your values and vision.
You Deserve to Be Proactively Guided Not Passively Informed
You don’t need to be a tax expert. But you do deserve expert support delivered with care, precision, and partnership.
At Insogna CPA, we believe women business owners deserve more than seasonal support. We offer year-round tax planning, flat-rate pricing, and an advisory experience built on listening, mentorship, and transparency.
Whether you’re looking for:
- A small business CPA in Austin who understands your cash flow cycles,
- A tax preparation services partner near you who empowers your planning,
- Or a CPA firm in Austin, Texas, that offers both strategic thinking and relational support
We’re here to elevate your expectations.
Want a CPA who answers all your questions before they cost you?
Talk with us. Schedule your discovery call today with Insogna CPA and start planning from a position of clarity, not uncertainty.