Through the CPA’s Lens: The Decisions That Shape What You Actually Keep

You’ve probably heard you can’t put toothpaste back in the tube. 

And while that’s not entirely true, you could probably force some of it back in… 

It’s messy. It takes effort. And you still don’t end up where you started. 

That’s what trying to fix taxes at year end looks like. 

Most business owners think about taxes once a year, when the numbers are already final. 

The return gets filed. The bill gets paid. And then it’s on to the next year. 

But that’s not when taxes are decided. 

They’re decided in real time. 

And that’s where the relationship with your CPA matters more than most people realize. 

Because the difference isn’t just technical knowledge. It’s whether your CPA is someone you talk to after decisions are made, or someone helping you think through them as they happen. 

I sat down with Meghan Getz, Co-Founder and Partner at Taylor Pacheco Getz, whose firm is built around that exact idea. Not just preparing returns, but providing real-time, practical guidance as business owners make decisions throughout the year. 

As Meghan pointed out, that shift in timing is what often separates reactive outcomes from intentional ones. 

Through the CPA’s Lens, Taxes Are a Year-Round Strategy 

One of the biggest misconceptions, according to Meghan, is treating taxes like an annual event. 

In reality, they’re the result of decisions made throughout the year. 

Structure, timing of income, cash movement, reinvestment, and distributions all compound over time. 

By the time you’re sitting down to file, most of the meaningful planning opportunities are gone. 

Tax season becomes confirmation, not strategy. 

This is why Meghan emphasizes staying involved with clients throughout the year. Not just reporting what happened, but helping shape decisions before they’re made. 

Through the CPA’s Lens, Cash Flow Is the Pressure Point 

The biggest surprises rarely come from the tax code. 

They come from cash flow. 

Meghan mentioned this is one of the most common disconnects she sees. 

A strong year on paper turns into a large tax bill, but the cash to cover it wasn’t planned for. The business is performing, yet the owner feels pressure personally. 

This is where most plans break down. 

The business and personal balance sheet weren’t coordinated. Income was generated, but not allocated with intention. Taxes were known, but not planned for. 

A good tax strategy isn’t just about minimizing liability. 

It’s about aligning cash flow so nothing feels forced when the bill comes due. 

Through the CPA’s Lens, Surprises Are Usually Earned 

The most common surprise is a large tax bill after a strong year. 

Not because something went wrong, but because nothing was planned. 

No projections, no coordination, and no intentional cash strategy. Just a good year followed by an outcome that feels out of place. 

Meghan also pointed out that structure plays a role here. 

Outdated entities, multiple activities running through one entity, and decisions that made sense early on but no longer fit can all create issues later. 

None of it feels urgent at the time. 

Until it is. 

Because once the numbers show up, there’s not much left to adjust. 

Through the CPA’s Lens, Timing Drives the Outcome 

There’s a clear difference between proactive and reactive owners. 

Meghan described it simply. 

Proactive owners involve their CPA before decisions are made. Reactive owners show up after the fact. 

By tax time, the proactive owner is confirming a plan. 

The reactive owner is looking for ways to fix something that’s already happened, and most of the time, there’s very little left to fix. 

Timing doesn’t just influence taxes. It defines them. 

 Through the CPA’s Lens, The Biggest Mistakes Happen Before a Transition 

This becomes even more important when a sale or transition is on the horizon. 

Meghan shared that many of the biggest tax mistakes aren’t made during the deal, but years before it. 

Entity structure, ownership decisions, how income has been handled, and how assets are held all shape what you actually keep. 

And they’re not easily changed late in the process. 

Ideally, this planning starts two to three years in advance, with the right people involved early. 

Because without coordination, you can have a strong outcome on paper and still walk away with less than expected. 

The headline number is only part of the story. 

The net result is what matters. 

Through the CPA’s Lens, The Business and Personal Balance Sheet Are Connected 

Many owners treat business and personal finances as separate. 

Meghan sees this often, especially with growing businesses. 

But in practice, they’re deeply connected. 

Your business drives your income. Your income drives your tax exposure. And your tax strategy should support your broader financial life. 

Without that alignment, it’s easy to create friction. 

You can reduce taxes today in a way that limits flexibility tomorrow, or grow the business and still feel constrained personally. 

As Meghan put it, tax strategy works best when it’s tied to a larger plan. 

Not just what you pay this year, but how it supports what you’re building long term. 

From My Seat 

What shows up as a tax issue rarely starts as a tax issue. 

It starts as a business decision, a personal decision, or a lack of coordination between the two. 

And it doesn’t stay contained. 

It flows into your cash flow, your balance sheet, and ultimately your ability to make decisions with confidence. 

Each advisor sees part of the picture. 

Meghan is focused on helping clients think through tax decisions in real time. The attorney focuses on structure. The banker looks at cash flow and access to capital. 

My role is to make sure those conversations are connected. 

So your tax strategy supports your financial plan, your financial plan reflects your business decisions, and everything works together toward what you’re actually trying to build. 

Because without that alignment, even good decisions can lead to outcomes that don’t feel right. 

One Question to Sit With 

Are your tax decisions today helping build your long-term wealth… 

Or just reacting to what already happened? 

 If any part of this made you pause, it’s worth a conversation. 

Not to fix everything at once, but to understand where things may not be aligned yet. 

And to make sure the decisions you’re making today are actually moving you toward the outcome you want. 

Learn more about Meghan and how she works with business owners here. Our team is always happy to make the introduction or point you in the right direction.

Van Hulzen Financial Advisors is an investment advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  SEC registration does not imply a certain level of skill and or expertise.  The material presented is for informational and educational purposes only.  It is not meant to be considered investment advice or a solicitation to purchase or sell any securities.  Van Hulzen is not a tax advisor.  Any professionals highlighted in the material presented are not affiliates of Van Hulzen.  The opinions, thoughts, views, or commentary expressed do not represent the official views of Van Hulzen or its employees.  The information provided by any of the outside professionals highlighted has not been verified for accuracy.