Get ahead of the game to avoid the January tax return rush

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, according to the song. The great thing about Christmas is that it is a time for families to get together and enjoy the festivities. A time of year when we want to put the stresses of work behind us for a short time. A chance to recharge batteries and prepare for a busy January.

The festive period provides a valuable opportunity to take a breather before the tax returns season kicks off in the New Year.

I know mental wellbeing is important, so by clearing off those tasks that might have been scheduled for January, you will be less inclined to feel the stress and log in via your laptop.

Instead, visiting friends, a meal with family or a couple of days away is a better option all round.

The busy season is just around the corner, and I think accountants will be having mixed feelings, looking forward to the break, but dreading what might be coming in January.

Avoid the mad rush

But it doesn’t need to be that way. Clients turning up midway through the month with a bag full of receipts and needing to complete their tax returns by 31 January can be avoided with planning.

A crazy post-Christmas rush means you could be running yourself and your staff into the ground.

To avoid log jams and a mad rush, clients need to be encouraged to file their returns as early as possible. Otherwise, these busy periods can have a detrimental effect on the mental health of you and your staff as you prepare for that critical tax returns period. When contacted, it’s also a chance to wish them a Merry Christmas and, obviously, a prosperous new year.

I am sure that by making the right choices and embracing the right support, you will be able to give your staff time for a Christmas party or meal, which in turn will boost morale for the year ahead.

There are a number of solutions to help accountants through the busy accounting season. They can outsource much of that workload, including tax returns, which allows them time for a more advisory role with their clients.

Well-earned break

As it is the season of goodwill, we at GI Outsourcing can offer hard-pressed accountants early festive cheer by taking on much of the burden. Your firm and your clients may take a well-earned holiday break, but GI will still work for you as we offer an all-year-round service.

It may be that we take on a partial workload, like those tax returns or other compliance, this in turn will free your practice to crack on with other priorities before Christmas and in January, refreshed from festive celebrations.

In the past, I have seen how accountants can have been able to plan for a stress-free Christmas and be well-prepared for January. If you want to know how, then contact me and we can discuss it.

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Posted in Thought Leadership.