Conquer the 2025 Tax Season: Strategies for Accountants to Stay Ahead
Tax season for accountants is the busiest time of the year. While your firm may handle taxes all year long, the period between late January and mid-April will require your best.
The IRS typically opens tax season at the end of January, and most Americans have less than three months to file for individual income tax returns.
With millions of federal returns expected to be filed in 2025, you'll surely be busy over the next few months. But are you and your firm prepared? In this guide, we'll go over tips for tax season to prepare your accounting firm for the busy times ahead.
15 Tips to Prepare Your Accounting Firm for the 2023 Tax Season
Update Your Tax Preparation Software
Up-to-date accounting software is essential during the busy tax season to handle the volume of returns efficiently and accurately.
In 2025, many companies will be using cloud-based solutions that integrate with AI to get real-time updates and predictive analytics. Consider moving to the cloud to stay updated with the latest regulations and get features like auto-updates and multi-factor authentication.
Train Your Accounting Staff on the Latest Tax Laws and Tech
Tax laws change every year, so it's essential that you keep up-to-date with the rules that will affect your clients.
If you or someone on your staff is a licensed CPA, there may be requirements to complete 40 hours of continuing education each year. Additionally, it's important that everyone on your staff stays informed about tax laws.
For 2025, the focus should be on upskilling staff in areas like AI, data analytics, and cybersecurity, as these technologies are changing the industry. Get your team to sign up for webinars, complete professional certifications like ACCA or CIMA, and get involved with emerging technologies like blockchain to stay ahead. Team training on client management software is also important to get through tax season efficiently.
Create a Checklist for Clients
Help your clients prepare for tax season by creating a checklist. For example, you may have a checklist for individual files, a checklist for businesses, and a checklist specific to homeowners.
Use automation tools to make this process easier. For example, create a secure portal with a clear list of required documents and deadlines, and upload instructions so clients can work with your team more efficiently. Segment checklists by client type, individual taxpayers, small business, or corporation for a more personalized approach.
Be Proactive and Take Action
Don't wait for your clients to come to you—because they may do so at the very last minute. Set up recurring reminders for tasks, so you don't need manual follow-ups to ensure timely submissions.
Reach out to your clients and ensure they have all the necessary documents ready. Even better—set up an online portal system for quick communication.
Plan Everything to Handle the Influx of Clients
Once you've opened the floodgates, be ready for the influx of clients—both new and old. Make sure you have the bandwidth to handle everyone.
Tax season for accountants demands proper planning. Do pre-tax season capacity planning to make sure you have enough resources. Use capacity planning tools to see how the workload is distributed and where you need more resources.
Similarly, review and adjust your plans regularly to accommodate client demands. Use predictive analytics to forecast bottlenecks and ensure projects stay on track. Cross-train staff so you have flexibility during peak times.
For more accounting workflow management tips for accounting firms, check out this post.
Invest in Project Management Software
If you haven't already, now is the time to invest in an accounting firm project management software like Mango Practice Management. It's going to be even more important in 2025 when other firms will be leveraging advanced AI solutions. Mango empowers accounting firms to manage projects and clients with ease.
This all-in-one accounting practice software does it all: document management, eSignatures, file sharing, and customer relationship management to streamline communication. You can also use it to track time and generate invoices. Mango integrates with other tools, including top tax software such as ATX, Drake Software, and Lacerte.
Learn More About Mango Practice Management
Mango empowers accounting firms to manage projects and clients with ease. Use this all-in-one accounting practice software to improve customer relationship management and streamline communication.
Hire More People for Support and Learn to Delegate
If necessary, consider hiring more people during the accountant's busy season to help handle the increased workload. Even hiring an assistant part-time to help answer calls or respond to email or social media queries can be a burden-reliever.
But in 2025, it’s now the norm to use virtual assistants and AI-powered tools to support your team and handle repetitive tasks like document collection and initial data entry. Consider partnering with freelancers or outsourcing non-essential tasks to free up time for your team to focus on high-value tasks.
Assign responsibilities to team members based on their skill sets and availability. You can use advanced project management systems that provide real-time task tracking to increase accountability and efficiency. Mango can help with this and ensure clear communication of expectations and deadlines for each task to avoid bottlenecks.
Set a Deadline
Some of us are motivated by deadlines – they can often result in creative thinking, improved performance, and better prioritization.
Use automated tools to set deadlines and send reminders. In the 2025 tax season, AI tools are going to be huge. Use them to predict possible delays based on the past behavior of your clients, helping you to be proactive.
Also, be sure to set clear milestone reviews to keep track of how things are going and solve problems immediately. Consider implementing a reward system for meeting or exceeding deadlines to boost team motivation.
Ask Your Clients for Feedback
You need to stay connected with your clients and know how they’re feeling throughout tax season so you can be there to help them when they need it.
Check in with clients during tax season to measure satisfaction and find areas to improve. Use AI sentiment analysis to process client feedback and catch issues early. Act on that feedback fast to improve your service and client relationships.
Update Your Website Regularly
Your clients will be looking to you as their tax experts. Show them they’re in good hands by turning your website into a resource for all things accounting, including the latest tax news. Also, update your content with the latest tax law changes and how they affect different types of clients.
Collect Data and Documents with Technology
Document collection is important to ensure a smooth tax season, as 69% of firms are delayed in getting client documents, according to the 2025 Accounting Industry Report.
To fix this, use a client portal like Mango for easy and secure file uploads. Use it to send automated reminders to clients for outstanding documents to avoid delays. Or, use data validation tools to ensure accuracy and completion so you don’t have to do manual checks.
Use Industry Insights for Planning
Data shows that firms using AI and automation can save 80% of the time normally spent on data entry, whereas compliance automation drives 62% of firms to add more advisory services. Similarly, new technology is improving team satisfaction for 48% of firms and client communication for 61%.
Mango Practice Management has you covered with an all-in-one platform for workflow management—access to a secure client portal, project management tools, automated reminders, and detailed reporting. Built by accountants for accountants, it replaces multiple tools, saves time, reduces errors, and grows your firm.
Optimize Your Tax Season Planning
Get ahead of your competition to make this tax season more productive than ever. Learn actionable advice for accountants, implement cutting-edge technology, and create a supportive work environment.
Be More Productive and Less Stressed During Tax Season
A structured day with self-care practices helps with productivity and stress during tax season. Start each day by prioritizing tasks and allocating time for high-priority activities, like deep work in the morning when you have the most energy.
Use time management tools and techniques like the Pomodoro Technique to stay focused and track your progress. Balance this with self-care by adding healthy eating, exercise, and relaxation techniques like meditation or reading into your day. Adequate sleep and stress management apps like Calm or Headspace will also help with clarity of mind. Get your team to adopt these habits to create a more productive work environment.
Take a Vacation During the Off-Season
Take a little time off after this rush. Plan your vacation in the off-season so you can keep your batteries charged for what's coming. Instruct your staff to do the same for their long-term health. Use this time to reflect on the past season and plan on what to improve in processes and services.
Get Mentored and Keep Developing
Mentorship can be incredibly valuable. Seek out experienced professionals from whom you can learn both hard and soft skills, such as effective communication and flexibility.
Participate in networking events, professional associations, and continuing education courses that will help you stay current. Utilize mentorship networks or professional associations, like the AICPA, to locate a mentor for the current stage of your career.
Streamline Your Busy Season with Mango
Don't let the accountant's busy season intimidate you. Equip your firm with tools and strategies to thrive and turn this tax season into your most profitable time.
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