How to Predict Your Tax Bill Before It's Too Late (2026 Tax Guide)

In this episode of the Know Your Numbers Podcast, CPA and Certified Tax Planner Chris McCormack walks business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors through a step-by-step guide to running a mid-year tax projection so you can estimate your tax bill, avoid costly surprises, and uncover opportunities to legally reduce your taxes before year-end. Many business owners wait until tax season to find out what they owe, but by then, most tax-saving opportunities are gone. Chris breaks down the exact process used by professional tax planners to project taxes, calculate taxable income, understand tax brackets, apply deductions and credits, and make strategic decisions before December 31st. Whether you're a small business owner, real estate investor, self-employed professional, freelancer, or entrepreneur, this episode will help you gain clarity on your tax situation and identify potential opportunities to keep more of your hard-earned money. If you're looking to reduce your tax burden, improve cash flow, and make smarter financial decisions, this episode is for you. If you found this episode valuable, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with another business owner who wants to pay less in taxes and gain confidence in their financial future. 00:02:02 – Why Tax Projections 00:03:51 – Updated Profit And Loss Statement 00:05:38 – Add Back Non-deductibles 00:08:21 – Add All Income Sources 00:09:37 – Deductions And QBI 00:11:50 – Tax Brackets Math 00:16:07 – AMT And Credits 00:17:49 – Withholding Reality Check 00:19:15 – Project Full Year 00:20:20 – Wrap Up And Next Steps •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ➤➤➤ To become a client, schedule a call with our team ➤➤ https://www.betterbooksaccounting.co/... •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Connect with Better Books on Social Media Facebook:   / betterbooksaccounting.co   Instagram:   / betterbooksaccounting.co   → → → SUBSCRIBE TO BETTER BOOKS’ YOUTUBE CHANNEL NOW ← ← ←    / @betterbooksaccounting   The Know Your Numbers REI podcast is for general information purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Information on the podcast may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. No reader, user, or listener of this podcast should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this podcast without first seeking legal and tax advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney and tax advisor can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation. Use of, and access to, this podcast or any of the links or resources contained or mentioned within the podcast show and show notes do not create a relationship between the reader, user, or listener and podcast hosts, contributors, or guests. #TaxPlanning #TaxProjections #TaxDeductions #QualifiedBusinessIncomeDeduction #BusinessOwner #Entrepreneur #CPA #TaxStrategy #Bookkeeping #FinancialPlanning #BusinessFinance #RealEstateInvesting #AccountingForRealEstateInvestors #RealEstateTax #RealEstateTaxTips #RealEstateInvestor #KnowYourNumbers #ChrisMcCormack