Paying a CPA to prepare your tax return does not automatically mean you have hired a tax planner.
That distinction came up in this older Financial Clarity conversation with Hannah Smolinski.
Tax preparation is focused largely on what has already happened.
A tax projection can help estimate what you may owe next year.
Proactive tax planning goes further.
It looks at the projected liability and asks what strategies may be available to reduce it, then works through the implementation with the client.
That is why one of the simplest questions you can ask a CPA is:
"Do you do proactive tax planning?"
Then ask what that service actually includes.
The answer should help you understand whether the advisor is primarily forecasting the tax bill or actively helping you explore ways to change it before the year is over.
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Jackie Meyer, Dr Jackie Meyer, Financial Clarity podcast, Hannah Smolinski, tax planning, tax preparation, tax projection, proactive tax planning, tax strategy, tax advisor, tax advisory, CPA, accounting, accountant, tax professional, tax savings, financial planning, CPA firm, accounting firm, advisory services, business owner, tax planning strategies #short
