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What’s Tax-Ready Bookkeeping?

Monday, June 02, 2025

If you're a small business owner, freelancer, or independent contractor, you've probably heard the term “tax-ready bookkeeping.” But what does that actually mean? And what does it look like in practice?

At J&S Accounting, we specialize in tax-ready books, but we want to be clear about what we do and what we don’t do.

Here’s everything you need to know.

First: What Is Tax-Ready Bookkeeping?

Tax-ready bookkeeping means your financial records are clean, accurate, and organized in a way that makes tax preparation smooth and stress-free for you and your tax preparer.

When your books are tax-ready:

  • Every income and expense is accurately categorized
  • Transactions are reconciled with bank and credit card statements
  • Financial reports (like your Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet) are up-to-date
  • Records are audit-ready and meet IRS standards

It’s the difference between scrambling during tax season and handing over a tidy, well-documented set of books that make your tax professional’s job easy. We create the road map for your taxes so you do not have to.​

What J&S Accounting Does:

At J&S Accounting, we help business owners maintain year-round financial clarity. Here’s how:

  • Monthly Bookkeeping: We keep your books clean and current so there are no surprises at year-end.
  • Audit-Ready Financials: We ensure your records are properly documented, should the IRS ever come knocking
  • Expense Reviews: If you want us to, we can help you spot areas where you can cut unnecessary costs and improve profitability.
  • Tax Planning Guidance: As an IRS Enrolled Agent, we understand tax rules and offer insights that can help you make smart financial decisions throughout the year.

In short, we help you stay organized, reduce tax-time stress, and keep more of what you earn.​

What J&S Accounting Does Not Do:

We want to be 100% transparent:

  • We do NOT prepare or file tax returns.
  • We are not a tax preparation firm.

Even though we’re IRS Enrolled Agents and highly knowledgeable about tax law, we focus on providing bookkeeping services rather than tax preparation.

We work closely with tax preparers and CPAs and are happy to collaborate with yours to ensure they get everything they need. However, we don’t submit returns to the IRS or state agencies on your behalf.

Why This Matters
Many business owners assume their bookkeeper also handles taxes, but these are two very different roles.

Think of us as the ones who build the financial foundation. We ensure everything is correct and documented so that your tax preparer can do their job accurately and efficiently.

Our goal is to help you:

  • Avoid costly mistakes
  • Stay IRS-compliant
  • Keep your tax preparer happy
  • Make better financial decisions all year round
  • Help you grow your business

Ready to Be Tax-Ready Year-Round?

If you're tired of scrambling at tax time or worried about whether your books would stand up to an audit, we’re here to help. Let J&S Accounting give you peace of mind with clear, organized, tax-ready bookkeeping.

Reach out today for a free discovery call and see how we can support your business.

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About J&S Accounting

At J&S Accounting, we provide expert bookkeeping services tailored to the unique needs of small businesses and nonprofits. We recognize the challenges that come with maintaining accurate financial records and how vital this is for the smooth operation and growth of your business. As a woman and minority-owned firm, we’re proud to offer our expertise to businesses in Savannah, GA, and across the nation, helping them navigate financial complexities and achieve better financial management.

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CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS

What others are saying about us

" I could not recommend this company enough!"

The team at J&S Accounting are like working with trusted friends that you have had for a long time. Janel has personally walked me through my first year with QuickBooks as a small business owner, and has made it so easy and enjoyable. She is very professional, knowledgeable, and is always so affirming of how well I am doing. She really takes her time and you can tell that she cares about her customers and wanting them to feel confident about their business finances. I could not recommend this company enough!

- Kelsey H.

"The level of professionalism and commitment to supporting small businesses like mine is unmatched."

If I could give J&S 6 stars I would because they go the extra mile every time! I am so glad I found J&S Accounting. The level of professionalism and commitment to supporting small businesses like mine is unmatched. I am so grateful for J&S. I highly recommend!

"Their customer service and individualized care have remained top tier and we gladly recommend their services."

J & S Accounting has made such a huge impact in our day to day operations at Kicklighter Resource Center. They are very hands on and truly take the time to educate us, whether in person or through trainings and tutorials. Their customer service and individualized care have remained top tier and we gladly recommend their services.

- Jay Ahnee

J&S Accounting is a member of Savannah Area Chamber
J&S Accounting is a member of Association of Nonprofit Accountants & Finance Professionals
J&S Accounting is an Enrolled Agent
J&S Accounting is a BBB Accredited Business

© 2023-2025 J&S Accounting and Tax Services LLC, dba J&S Accounting.
All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer:​This content is for information purposes only and should not be considered legal, accounting, or tax advice, or a substitute for obtaining such advice specific to your business from a professional accountant. Additional information and exceptions may apply. Applicable laws may vary by state or locality. No assurance is given that the information is comprehensive in its coverage or that it is suitable in dealing with a customer’s particular situation. J&S Accounting does not have any responsibility for updating or revising any information presented herein. Accordingly, the information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for independent research. J&S Accounting does not warrant that the material contained herein will continue to be accurate, nor that it is completely free of errors when published. Readers and viewers should verify statements before relying on them.

© 2023 J&S Accounting. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer

This content is for information purposes only and should not be considered legal, accounting, or tax advice, or a substitute for obtaining such advice specific to your business from a professional accountant. Additional information and exceptions may apply. Applicable laws may vary by state or locality. No assurance is given that the information is comprehensive in its coverage or that it is suitable in dealing with a customer’s particular situation. J&S Accounting does not have any responsibility for updating or revising any information presented herein. Accordingly, the information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for independent research. J&S Accounting does not warrant that the material contained herein will continue to be accurate, nor that it is completely free of errors when published. Readers and viewers should verify statements before relying on them.