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Printable checklist
Year-end money checklist for small businesses
A plain-language list to close out the year cleanly and start January with your numbers in order.
Do a little each week from November through January instead of all of it in April. Rules vary by state and business type, so check tax questions with a tax professional or a free advisor at your local Small Business Development Center.
November
- Separate business and personal spending if you have not already. One business account, one business card.
- Match every bank account to your records for each month so far this year.
- List every customer who still owes you money. Send reminders now, while the year is still open.
- Look at your prices. If your costs went up this year and your prices did not, run the pricing and inflation calculator.
December
- Count inventory, if you hold any, close to December 31.
- Collect receipts for big purchases: equipment, vehicles, software.
- Confirm the legal name, address, and tax ID for each contractor you paid this year. You may need them for year-end tax forms.
- Write down mileage, if you drive for business.
- Decide on any write-offs for invoices you will not collect.
January
- Pull year-end statements for every bank, card, loan, and payment app.
- Run a profit and loss for the full year. Compare it with last year.
- Check your cash runway for the slow months ahead with the cash runway calculator.
- Book a tax appointment early. Spring calendars fill up fast.
- Set three money goals for the year, and book a free coaching session to pressure-test them.