Tax Preparation, Planning & Compliance

Proactive tax strategy and full-service compliance—so you keep more of what you earn and never get caught off guard at filing time.

Tax & Compliance

What is small business tax planning?

Small business tax planning is the proactive, year-round process of structuring your income, expenses, entity, and timing to legally minimize what you owe—as opposed to tax preparation, which simply reports what already happened. The businesses that pay the least in tax are the ones planning all year, not scrambling in April.

Side By Side Financial combines small business tax preparation and planning in one relationship. Because we work inside your books all year, we spot savings before the year closes—then handle accurate, on-time filing for your LLC, S-corp, C-corp, partnership, or sole proprietorship, in Minnesota and nationwide.

What's Included

Full-service tax preparation & planning

Business Tax Return Preparation

Accurate federal and state returns for LLCs, S-corps, C-corps, partnerships, and sole proprietors, filed on time.

Year-Round Tax Planning

Ongoing strategy and projections so there are no April surprises—and you keep more of what you earn.

Entity Structure & S-Corp Guidance

We model whether an LLC, S-corp, or other structure saves you the most, and handle the election.

Quarterly Estimated Taxes

We calculate your quarterly federal and state estimates so you avoid underpayment penalties.

Sales & Use Tax Filings

Accurate, on-time sales and use tax filings so you stay compliant in every jurisdiction you sell.

Payroll Tax Management

Payroll tax deposits and filings handled and reconciled with your books.

Prep vs. Planning

Tax preparation vs. tax planning: why the difference matters

Tax preparation looks backward—it records and files what already happened. Tax planning looks forward—it changes what happens so you owe less. Most businesses overpay because their preparer only appears once a year, after every decision is locked in.

We flip that: by planning throughout the year, we can act on entity structure, retirement contributions, equipment timing, and deduction strategies while they still make a difference. Filing is just the final step of a year-long plan.

LLC vs. S-Corp

LLC vs. S-corp: choosing the right entity for tax savings

One of the biggest tax levers for a growing business is entity structure. An LLC is simple and flexible, but once you're consistently profitable, electing S-corp status can save thousands by reducing self-employment tax on part of your income. There's a trade-off—payroll requirements, reasonable-salary rules, and added filings—so it's not right for everyone. We model your specific numbers and handle the election if it makes sense.

Deductions

Small business tax deductions you might be missing

Every dollar of legitimate deduction lowers your taxable income. Commonly missed ones include:

We make sure your books capture these all year, so nothing gets left on the table at filing time.

Pricing

How much does small business tax preparation cost?

Tax prep pricing depends on your entity type, the complexity of your return, and how clean your books are coming in. A simple sole-proprietor return costs far less than a multi-state S-corp with several owners. The good news: when we also keep your books, filing is faster and cheaper because everything is already organized.

We quote tax preparation and planning transparently up front—and for most clients, the tax we save through year-round planning more than covers the fee.

Who We Serve

Industries We Specialize In

Whatever your industry or entity type, we tailor your tax strategy to how your business actually makes money.

Construction
Trades & Contractors
Real Estate
Healthcare
Retail
Nonprofits
Professional Services
Restaurants & Hospitality
Trucking & Logistics
E-Commerce
Startups
And More
Why Businesses Choose Side By Side Financial

We don't just do your books—we become a strategic part of your team. Our clients get enterprise-level financial expertise at a fraction of the cost of an in-house finance department.

One firm for accounting, tax, payroll, and CFO services
Virtual-first model—we work with businesses anywhere
Industry-specific expertise, including Davis-Bacon and prevailing wage
Proactive communication—not just reactive number-crunching
Transparent pricing with no surprise fees
FAQ

Common Questions

Have a question about tax? Reach out and we'll answer it promptly.

Contact Us
What is the difference between tax preparation and tax planning?
Tax preparation reports what already happened and files your return; tax planning is proactive, year-round strategy to legally reduce what you owe before the year closes. We do both together.
Should my business be an LLC or an S-corp?
It depends on your profit and situation. Once you're consistently profitable, an S-corp election can cut self-employment tax, but it adds payroll and filing requirements. We model your specific numbers and handle the election if it saves you money.
Do I have to pay quarterly estimated taxes?
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more, the IRS generally requires quarterly estimated payments. We calculate your federal and state estimates so you avoid underpayment penalties.
What small business tax deductions do people miss most?
Commonly missed deductions include the home office, vehicle mileage, retirement contributions, Section 179 equipment expensing, and self-employed health insurance. We capture these in your books year-round.
When should I start tax planning?
Now. The earlier in the year we plan, the more strategies are still available. Waiting until filing season means most opportunities have already passed.
Do you file taxes in multiple states?
Yes. Our virtual-first model supports multi-state filing and sales-and-use tax compliance for businesses operating across state lines.
Do you work with businesses outside Minnesota?
Yes—we're based in Mankato, MN, and prepare and plan taxes for businesses nationwide.
Get Started

Ready to lower your tax bill?

Stop overpaying at tax time—get proactive, year-round tax strategy built around your business.

Book a Free ConsultationSend a Message
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Headquarters931 Madison Ave, Mankato, MN 56001
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Service AreaNationwide — Virtual-First Model