Hot dogs. Flags. Fireworks. Overpaying the IRS by thousands because your books are a mess?
That last one? Not patriotic. Just painful.
If you’re running a business and you don’t know how much you’re overpaying in taxes each year… odds are, you are.
And here’s the part no one likes to admit: the IRS is happy to take more than you owe. They won’t tell you you’re doing it wrong. They’ll just cash the check.
Overpayment Is Not Generosity. It’s a Sign of Sloppy Books
We’re not talking about tax evasion. This isn’t about pushing the envelope or playing games.
We’re talking about things like:
- Skipped deductions
- Misclassified expenses
- Missed payroll strategy
- Failing to track mileage, meals, or contractor payments
- Not reviewing your books until tax season panic mode
These are not big moves. They are small leaks. But they add up fast.
Freedom Means Keeping What You Earn
You didn’t build your business to become a silent donor to the government. That’s not patriotic. That’s a lack of tax planning.
The truth? Most overpayments come from one thing: waiting until tax time to deal with your finances.
By then, it’s too late to fix it. You write the check and try not to think about it.
How to Tell If You’re Overpaying Without Waiting for Your CPA to Say So
Here’s a quick litmus test:
- You have not reviewed your chart of accounts in over a year.
- You’re not tracking business mileage or meals in real time.
- You still pay contractors through Zelle or Venmo with no 1099s in sight.
- You “categorize” expenses by guessing in QuickBooks.
- You wait until tax season to think about deductions.
If you nodded at more than one, you’re probably overpaying. And the longer it goes, the harder it is to fix.
Want to Be the Kind of Business Owner the Founders Would Be Proud Of?
Get your books in shape. Make a plan before December. Stop guessing and start tracking. Take the credits and deductions you’re entitled to.
And no, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
You’re already celebrating freedom. Claim some for your wallet. Grab fifteen minutes and let’s see how much you’ve been giving away.
