September Newsletter
Finish the year strong with smart tax planning
September is the perfect time for a financial reset. With only a few months left in 2026, reviewing your income, expenses, tax payments and business records now can help prevent surprises and create more options before year-end.
Whether you own a business, earn self-employment income or simply want to be better prepared for tax season, our team is ready to help you make informed decisions.
Important September 15 Deadline
Third-quarter estimated tax payments: The third installment of 2026 estimated taxes is due September 15 for individuals who are self-employed or receive income without enough withholding.
Extended business returns: Calendar-year partnerships and S corporations that filed timely extensions must generally file their 2025 returns by September 15.
Missing a filing or payment deadline may result in penalties and interest. Contact our office promptly if you need assistance.
Your Fall Tax & Financial Checkup
A short review now can make a big difference later. Consider these five steps:
| 1 | Review year-to-date income and expenses. Compare your current results with last year and identify unusual changes. |
| 2 | Check withholding and estimated payments. A change in income, marriage, divorce, dependents or a second job may change what you should pay. |
| 3 | Bring bookkeeping up to date. Reconcile bank and credit-card accounts, categorize transactions and collect missing receipts. |
| 4 | Review payroll and contractor records. Confirm employee information and begin verifying vendor names, addresses and tax identification numbers for year-end reporting. |
| 5 | Schedule tax planning before year-end. Some tax-saving strategies must be completed by December 31, so early planning provides more flexibility. |
October 15 Is Coming
Individuals who filed a timely extension for their 2025 federal income tax return generally have until October 15, 2026, to file. An extension to file is not an extension to pay, so do not wait to send us your documents.
How We Can Help
Ratcliff CPA & Consultants provides tax preparation, tax planning, bookkeeping, payroll support and business advisory services. Let us help you organize your finances and prepare for a smoother year-end.
Ratcliff CPA & Consultants
Helping individuals and businesses plan with confidence.
This newsletter provides general information and is not a substitute for advice based on your specific tax or financial circumstances. Tax deadlines may be affected by weekends, holidays or qualifying disaster relief.
