Tax planning
Tax planning in Columbia City, Indiana
We help families, self-employed people and business owners in Columbia City and across Whitley County plan their taxes before the year ends. You pay the least tax the code allows, and April brings no surprises.
Who plans with us
Business owners
Corporations, partnerships and LLCs deciding on owner pay, distributions and when to make big purchases.
Self-employed
Setting quarterly estimated payments so you are not caught short at filing time.
Families facing a change
A new job, retirement, a new baby or a property sale, looked at before it shows up on your return.
Estates, trusts and gifting
Gifts and estate matters planned with the tax side in view.
What to have ready
Bring what you have. We will ask for anything else we need.
- Last year's federal and Indiana returns
- Year-to-date pay stubs or a year-to-date profit and loss statement
- Estimated tax payments you have made this year
- Plans for big purchases, equipment or property sales
- Life changes such as marriage, retirement or a new child
- The questions you want answered
Who does the work
Scott Duffitt, Managing Member
Scott has worked in this Columbia City office since 1995 and has owned the firm since 2019. He focuses on individual, business, partnership and estate tax work.
More about Scott
Chelsie Gowen, Senior Staff Accountant
Chelsie has more than 10 years of tax experience, an MBA from the University of Saint Francis and QuickBooks ProAdvisor training.
More about ChelsieHow it works
-
Step 1: Look at where you stand
We go over last year's return and what has changed so far this year.
-
Step 2: Talk through the options
We explain what you can change, what it would save and what it would cost, in plain English.
-
Step 3: Act before year end
You make the moves that make sense while they still count for this tax year.
Tax planning starts with the return you already filed. We look at last year, ask what has changed, and work out where this year is heading before the books close.
For business owners that usually means owner pay, distributions, equipment purchases and estimated payments. For families it is often a job change, retirement or a home sale. Either way, we put the numbers side by side so you can see what each choice does to your tax bill.
The goal is simple: pay what you owe and not a dollar more than the tax code requires. Because the same people prepare your return, nothing from the planning meeting gets lost by April.
Tax planning questions
When is the best time for tax planning?
Before the year ends. Fall leaves time to act on purchases, payments and timing while they still count for this year. We are glad to meet any time, though.
How is tax planning different from tax preparation?
Preparation reports the year that already happened. Planning looks ahead and changes what your next return will show. Many of our clients do both with us.
Do I need to make quarterly estimated payments?
If you are self-employed or have income with no withholding, you probably do. We work out your federal and Indiana amounts and when each payment is due.
Can you help me plan gifts or an estate?
Yes. We prepare gift, estate and trust returns, and Scott Duffitt's focus includes fiduciary and estate tax work, so we can walk you through the tax side of your plans.
Pair it with year-round help
Tax preparation
Individual, corporate, partnership, trust, estate and gift returns, prepared accurately and filed on time.
See tax preparation
Bookkeeping
We record transactions in QuickBooks, reconcile bank and credit card statements and keep depreciation schedules current.
See bookkeeping
Management consulting
Sit down with us to read your profit and loss statement and balance sheet and see what is driving profit.
See management consultingGet it off your list
Book a time with our Columbia City office, or call and we will fit you in.