Most tax pros just file returns. They don’t provide strategy. They don’t give advice.
Most owners accept this. They get filings. They miss opportunities. They pay more than necessary.
Right questions get strategic advice. They unlock value. They save money.
This guide shows questions to ask to get real strategic advice, not just filings.
Key Takeaways
- Ask right questions—get strategic advice
- Understand value—know what to expect
- Build relationships—work with professionals
- Get strategy—not just filings
- Save money—optimize taxes
Table of Contents
Working with Pros
Tax pros provide different services. Some just file. Others provide strategy.
Filing-only pros: They prepare returns. They file forms. They don’t provide strategy.
Strategic pros: They provide advice. They plan taxes. They optimize strategy.
Why this matters: Pro understanding enables value. If you understand pros, value improves.
Questions to Ask
Right questions unlock strategic advice. Ask about strategy. Ask about planning.
Questions About Strategy
Ask strategic questions:
- What tax strategies apply to my situation?
- How can I reduce my tax burden?
- What deductions am I missing?
- How should I structure my business?
Why this matters: Strategic questions get strategic answers. If you ask strategic questions, answers improve.
Questions About Planning
Ask planning questions:
- What should I do this year to reduce next year’s taxes?
- How should I time income and expenses?
- What estimated payments should I make?
- How can I plan for growth?
Why this matters: Planning questions get planning advice. If you ask planning questions, advice improves.
Questions About Structure
Ask structure questions:
- Is my entity structure optimal?
- Should I consider changing structure?
- How does structure affect taxes?
- What are the tradeoffs?
Why this matters: Structure questions get structure advice. If you ask structure questions, advice improves.
Pro tip: Use our TAM Calculator to evaluate market opportunity and inform business planning. Calculate market size to understand growth potential.
Getting Strategy
Strategy requires engagement. Ask questions. Get advice. Apply strategies.
Engage Proactively
Be proactive:
- Ask questions regularly
- Seek advice before decisions
- Discuss strategy quarterly
- Engage year-round
Why this matters: Proactive engagement gets strategy. If you engage proactively, strategy improves.
Evaluate Advice
Assess advice:
- Understand recommendations
- Ask for explanations
- Consider alternatives
- Make informed decisions
Why this matters: Advice evaluation enables decisions. If you evaluate advice, decisions improve.
Apply Strategies
Implement advice:
- Follow recommendations
- Track results
- Adjust as needed
- Optimize continuously
Why this matters: Strategy application improves results. If you apply strategies, results improve.
Building Relationships
Good relationships get better service. Build trust. Communicate clearly. Work together.
Find Right Pro
Choose wisely:
- Look for strategic focus
- Check experience
- Ask for references
- Evaluate fit
Why this matters: Right pro provides strategy. If you find right pro, strategy improves.
Communicate Clearly
Communicate effectively:
- Explain your situation
- Ask clear questions
- Provide information
- Follow up regularly
Why this matters: Clear communication enables service. If you communicate clearly, service improves.
Work Together
Collaborate:
- Share information
- Discuss strategy
- Make decisions together
- Build partnership
Why this matters: Collaboration improves results. If you work together, results improve.
Pro tip: Use our TAM Calculator to evaluate market opportunity and inform business planning. Calculate market size to understand growth potential.
Your Next Steps
Working with tax pros gets strategic advice. Ask right questions, understand value, build relationships, get strategy, then save money to optimize taxes.
This Week:
- Begin identifying tax pro questions using our TAM Calculator
- Start finding right tax pro
- Begin asking strategic questions
- Start building relationships
This Month:
- Complete finding tax pro
- Set up regular communication
- Begin getting strategic advice
- Start applying strategies
Going Forward:
- Continuously ask questions
- Get strategic advice regularly
- Apply strategies
- Optimize taxes
Need help? Check out our TAM Calculator for market evaluation, our tax basics guide for fundamentals, our entity tax strategy guide for structure, and our tax strategy hub for tactics.
Stay informed about business strategies and tools by following us on X (Twitter) and signing up for The Initiative Newsletter.
Sources & Additional Information
This guide provides general information about working with tax professionals. Your specific situation may require different considerations.
For market size analysis, see our TAM Calculator.
Consult with professionals for advice specific to your situation.
