Consider Year-End Purchases
If you need to buy new equipment or supplies for your business, consider creating a year-end shopping list. You can deduct business expenses on your 2023 tax return if you make them by Dec. 31, so it might make sense to stock up before year-end rather than hold off until the next year. Plus, you might be able to take advantage of holiday deals such as on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Create a Year-End Financial Report
Year-end is prime time for analyzing your company’s financials so you can make strategic decisions for the year ahead.
Using your company’s accounting software or spreadsheets, create some key reports, including a balance sheet, an income statement, and a cash-flow statement. Consider reviewing these for issues or opportunities to address next year.
Your Technology
Back Up Your Data
Try to back up your data regularly to the cloud or an external hard drive. Consider reviewing your key files and documents — whether customer records or financial statements — and make extra sure you have duplicate copies of those kept securely, both digitally and offline.
Check out data storage to find the best choice for you.
Review Your Business Technology Needs
Year-end is a good time to prepare your business for the months ahead.
Consider what equipment or software could help your business become more efficient and effective in 2024, whether that’s a new laptop, a voice assistant (like Google Nest), or customer relationship management (CRM) software.
Your Business Overall
Reflect on Your Year and Think Ahead
It may be difficult to make time for reflection with everything else happening this time of year. However, it’s the season for not just showing gratitude but also thinking about your goals and accomplishments for the year and how you can build on them next year.
About the Author
Kelly Spors is a freelance writer and editor based in Minneapolis. She previously worked as a staff reporter for The Wall Street Journal, covering small business and entrepreneurship.
All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. The information should not be relied on as replacement for professional tax advice. It is provided “as is” and neither the author nor Office Depot warrant the accuracy of the information provided, nor do they assume any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.