There’s still time to catch what others missed

With just days left in tax season, most clients are focused on one thing: getting their return filed.

But as an advisor, this is the moment to ask a different question: What might still slip through the cracks?

Because most tax “surprises” don’t come from the return itself, they come from everything that led up to it.

Missed conversations.
Last-minute assumptions.
Decisions made without fully understanding the tax impact.

And once the return is filed, those opportunities are gone.

• We see it every year:
• Clients facing penalties for incorrectly reported contributions.
• Missed planning opportunities tied to major life events
• Confusion between CPAs, advisors, and clients about who was handling what

The reality is, some of this can still be addressed, but only if someone is paying attention right now.

This is where advisors can step in and create immediate value.

Not by preparing the return or diving into every line item, but by asking the right questions before everything is finalized:

“Is there anything here we should double-check before filing?”
“Were there any changes this year that didn’t get discussed?”
“Are we confident this reflects the strategy we intended?”

Even a few well-timed conversations can prevent unnecessary penalties, missed opportunities, and frustrating surprises.

And just as importantly, they show your clients that you’re not just involved after the fact, you’re part of the process when it matters most.

Because the advisors who stand out during tax season are the ones who are asking the right questions.

Happy Tax Planning,
Steven Jarvis, CPA