It’s hard to believe, but we are over a week into October, which means we are also in the final stretch of 2026.  In business, the final 90 days of the year are our “fourth quarter,” and they can determine whether we simply coast across the finish line or push ourselves to achieve what we set out to do.

I urge my Celeste Giordano Coaching clients to adopt a “fourth quarter mindset,” which means doing everything they possibly can to accomplish what they set out to do at the beginning of the year. To use a favorite sports metaphor, I want them to finish the year knowing they left it all on the field! 

To help my newsletter and blog reading community establish their own fourth quarter mentality this year, I have asked a few trusted members of my network to share some tips this month so we can finish the year strong. I’m calling this series “The Fourth Quarter Playbook,” and I hope you find their insights as helpful as I do. 

First up is my friend, advisor, and longtime collaborator, Sara Poe of Poe’s Accounting Services. Sara offers us some important tax questions to ask ourselves before the year ends. Sincere thanks to Sara for sharing her knowledge with all of us today! 

Tax Questions Worth Asking Before Year-End

By Sara Poe, Poe’s Accounting Services

Take a few minutes to ask yourself the following tax questions as we approach the last several months of 2026. The answers could uncover a problem—or an opportunity—while there’s still time to do something about it.

Am I going to owe or get a refund?

A large tax refund isn’t necessarily good or bad. The better question is whether that money would be more useful throughout the year or as a lump sum at tax time. For example, a $3,000 refund represents about $115 from every biweekly paycheck. 

Would having that extra money throughout the year help with monthly expenses, saving, or paying down debt? Or does receiving $3,000 at once make it easier to accomplish a larger financial goal? Review your withholding before year-end to

decide which approach works best for your family.

Did I have extra income that didn’t have withholdings?

Think about any money you made outside your regular paycheck. You did some freelance work, picked up a side gig, earned rental income, or made money from investments. Unlike a paycheck, taxes may not have been taken out before that money landed in your pocket. Add it all up before year-end so you have a better idea of what it could mean for your tax bill and whether you should make an extra tax payment now.

Did I experience any major life events?

Think about what has changed in your household during the year. Marriage, divorce, a new baby, a child leaving home, retirement, or the death of a loved one can all affect your tax return. So can less obvious changes such as beginning to support an aging parent or having a child start college. Bringing these changes up before year-end can uncover tax credits, deductions or planning opportunities that might otherwise get missed until it’s too late to act.

Did I have any transactions that would cause a taxable event?

Selling stocks is an obvious example, but taxable events can come from many places. Did you sell real estate, cryptocurrency, a business interest, or another valuable asset? Did you exercise stock options or receive proceeds from an investment? Review any significant financial transactions you made during the year. Knowing about gains and losses before December 31st may also provide opportunities for additional tax planning before the year closes.

Did I change jobs?

A job change can create several possible tax issues. Your new employer may withhold taxes differently, especially if your income changed significantly during the year. You may also have received a bonus, severance payment, unused vacation payout, or other compensation from your former employer. And don’t forget about your old retirement plan. Before year-end, review your withholdings, retirement contributions, and anything else that changed when you switched jobs. 

A little tax planning now can make filing your 2026 return a lot less surprising. Please contact us today if you’d like to discuss these and other questions about your tax situation.

Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business professionals develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “DoublePlus™” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with more than 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams. To learn more about Celeste, click here. Want to use this article? Please feel free to use this content as long as you keep it in its original format and include a link to the original post and Celeste Giordano’s brief bio.