Business tax planning
Protect your profit before it’s taxed
Taxes don’t have to be a surprise. We help you take control of your financial picture year-round – not just at filing time. We work with you in business tax planning to build proactive strategies that minimize liability, safeguard assets, and strengthen the financial position of your business and its owners.
Is this you?
You’re reacting, not planning
You only think about taxes once a year – and it costs you more than it should
You’re leaving money on the table
You suspect deductions or strategies are being missed but aren’t sure where to start
You’re ready for strategy
You want to manage your tax exposure like you manage every other part of your business
You’re building for longevity
You want a tax plan that protects your wealth through growth, transition, and beyond
Where you are
- You meet with your accountant only at tax time
- Your tax burden fluctuates and you don’t know why
- Business and personal assets are structured reactively, not strategically
- Major transactions happen without considering long-term tax effects
Where you want to be
- You have a proactive, year-round tax plan – not an annual scramble
- You understand how decisions impact taxes before they’re made
- Your assets, income, and business structure work together to protect wealth
- Your tax strategy evolves as your company grows and goals shift
How we get you there
- We bring foresight and structure to your tax strategy
- We design and coordinate plans that minimize risk and maximize savings
- We align your financial, operational, and ownership decisions for tax efficiency
- We work directly with your leadership and financial teams to ensure seamless execution
What happens during implementation
We work with you to mitigate your taxable consequences and put a real strategy in place to protect your profit.
Proactive tax mitigation
Plan ahead – don’t overpay.
We use compensation strategies, entity design, and proactive planning to reduce taxable income and manage tax risk before it becomes a problem.
Asset protection
Defend what you’ve built.
We structure your business and holdings to safeguard assets through coordinated legal and financial strategies.
Transactional tax planning
Think before you move.
We evaluate major purchases, sales, or transfers in advance to minimize liability and improve after-tax results.
Succession planning integration
Protect wealth through transition.
We align your tax plan with leadership changes and valuation goals to preserve what you’ve earned.
Licensed tax representation
Get qualified guidance when it matters most.
We provide licensed tax experts for complex issues, audits, or legal cases that require formal representation.
How tax planning fits within the Profit Platform®
Tax planning strengthens your Strategic Plan and the Measurement pillar of your business.
It supports Business Analyticsby turning financial insight into tax-saving action, and reinforces Succession Planning by protecting wealth during ownership transitions.
One client implemented Cogent’s proactive tax strategy and reduced their annual tax liability by six figures, freeing capital to reinvest in growth and debt reduction.
By anticipating instead of reacting, Cogent helps you use tax planning as a tool to grow and protect what you’ve built.
Portrait of Life
The human side of strategic tax planning
What implementation does for your life:
You no longer dread tax season because you’re prepared for it.
You understand where every dollar goes and how to keep more of it working for your business.
Your company, assets, and income are structured for strength and protection.
You’re leading with foresight, not fear of the IRS.
What business owners ask us about Business tax planning
Why is business tax planning important?
Tax planning helps you control one of your largest expenses. Proactive planning reduces liability, prevents costly surprises, and ensures every decision supports your financial goals.
What are the best tax planning strategies?
The best strategies depend on your structure and goals. Common ones include timing income and expenses, optimizing compensation, and structuring entities to reduce taxable income. Cogent customizes every plan to fit your business.
What is the best tax structure for a small business?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The right structure – whether S-Corp, LLC, partnership, or C-Corp – depends on size, industry, and growth goals. Cogent helps you understand your options, choose the best fit for your goals, and maintain the structure that protects profits and supports expansion.
How can I save on my taxes?
Start planning early. We help you identify deductions, credits, and compensation strategies that minimize tax exposure while keeping compliance airtight.
When should I start tax planning?
Now. Business tax planning isn’t a year-end event – it’s a year-round process. The earlier you start, the more opportunities you have to influence outcomes.
What’s the difference between tax planning and tax preparation?
Tax planning is proactive – it looks forward to minimize liability. Tax preparation is reactive – it records what already happened. Cogent helps you plan ahead so preparation becomes simple and predictable.
Do I need a tax professional or can my accountant handle it?
Most accountants handle compliance and filing, not long-term planning. Cogent’s licensed experts work in coordination with your accountant to build a forward-looking business tax planning strategy that protects and grows your wealth.
Ready to protect your profit, not just report it?
You’ve worked hard to earn it – now let’s make sure you keep more of it.