Get Your Store Ready for a Tax Professional: A Practical Guide for Outdoor Gear Sellers
- Jacob Curtis
- Nov 17
- 4 min read
Introduction: Tax Prep as Stewardship, Not Stress
Every year around tax season, outdoor store owners face the same stressors: missing reports, duplicated tax payments, and unfinished bookkeeping.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to keep operating in panic mode.
At Curtis Accounting Solutions, we believe tax preparation isn’t just paperwork — it’s stewardship. As 1 Corinthians 14:40 reminds us, “Let everything be done decently and in order.” Getting your financial house in order is one way to honor both your work and the resources God’s entrusted to you.
Let’s walk through five practical steps to get your Shopify-based outdoor recreation or sporting goods store tax-ready — not just for the IRS, but for clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.
Step 1: Gather Your Key Financial Reports
Before your CPA can help you, they need the right information — just like your mechanic can’t fix your truck without the keys.
Here’s what to collect:
Profit & Loss Statement (last 12 months)
Balance Sheet (last two years)
Statement of Cash Flows
Inventory and Sales Reports
For outdoor brands with complex inventory cycles, these reports reveal far more than just numbers — they show whether your products, cash, and expenses are working in sync.
Pro Tip: Print your financials on a cash basis before your CPA meeting. This helps them analyze what’s actually hitting your accounts and identify missed deductions.
Step 2: Clean Up Your Books Beforehand
Messy books make for messy taxes. Start with reconciliation:
Match every bank and credit card statement.
Verify inventory counts against your system.
Review expense categories for accuracy.
Then, apply the PURMS method (developed from Profit First principles):
P – Profit-Generating: Directly supports sales or operations.
U – Unnecessary: Can be cut without harm.
R – Replaceable: Swap for a cheaper or better option.
M – Mandatory: Required by law (like taxes or licenses).
S – Stopped: Already canceled — make sure it stays that way.
Cleaning up your books ahead of time can save hundreds in CPA time and make your tax review faster and more accurate.
Step 3: Separate and Automate Your Accounts
One of the biggest mistakes small outdoor gear businesses make? Running everything through one checking account.
When inventory, taxes, and expenses all pull from the same pot, clarity disappears.
Instead, use the Profit First Six-Account System:
Income — All sales deposits.
Inventory — Purchases for resale.
Profit — Emergency fund and quarterly rewards.
Owner’s Pay — Consistent salary for yourself.
Tax — Business and personal income tax savings.
Operating Expenses — Everything else.
Automate transfers twice a month (for example, the 10th and 25th). This gives you instant visibility into what’s truly available for taxes, payroll, and operations — no more guessing.
Step 4: Pre-Save for Taxes
Tax stress comes down to one issue: not saving early enough.
Follow this simple principle from The Cash Flow Survival Kit for Outdoor Gear Sellers:
“Set aside 15–20% of your gross profit, not your revenue.”
Why? Because saving from profit ensures your tax money isn’t inflated by costs like ad spend or COGS.
Open a dedicated Tax Account at your bank, label it clearly, and automate a monthly transfer. When April comes, you’ll sleep peacefully — because diligence brings peace, and peace is the fruit of good stewardship.
Step 5: Partner, Don’t Panic
Your CPA isn’t your cleanup crew — they’re your strategic partner.
Come prepared with organized records and a proactive mindset. Ask about:
Quarterly tax planning
Entity structure optimization (LLC vs. S-Corp)
Profit First allocations and adjustments
Cash flow forecasting for seasonal months
The best tax results happen when you treat your accountant as part of your leadership team — not just someone who files forms. When you plan, not just file, you move from reaction to intention, and that’s where true stewardship flourishes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Tax Season
To make your CPA sweat, do any of the following:
Ignore your sales tax obligations.
Mix personal and business funds.
Wait until April to start organizing.
Skip your CPA’s advice.
Avoiding these four pitfalls protects not just your numbers, but your reputation, peace, and profitability.
Quick Recap: Your Tax-Ready Checklist
Gather all reports (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, Inventory).
Reconcile books and categorize expenses using PURMS.
Separate and automate Profit First accounts.
Pre-save 15–20% of gross profit for taxes.
Partner proactively with your CPA.
When your store’s finances are organized, you’re not just “tax-ready.” You’re freedom-ready — running your business with peace, on purpose, and for profit.
Case Study: The Gear Store That Found Its Peace
One of our outdoor retail clients came to us last year overwhelmed — no tax savings, multiple credit cards, and inventory chaos. Within three months, we helped them:
Separate six bank accounts under Profit First,
Eliminate $18,000 in redundant software costs using the PURMS method, and
Build a three-month operating reserve.
When tax season came, not only were they ready — they actually looked forward to it. Why? Because clarity replaces fear every time.
FAQs: Tax Readiness for Outdoor Gear Brands
How early should I start preparing for tax season?
Ideally, year-round. At minimum, start three months before filing to allow time for reconciliations and adjustments.
Do I need separate accounts if I already use QuickBooks?
Yes. Software organizes data, but separate bank accounts organize behavior — that’s the power of Profit First.
How can I reduce my tax bill legally?
Plan ahead. Strategic timing of inventory purchases, owner compensation, and tax-deductible investments can minimize liability while keeping cash flow healthy.
What if my books are behind?
Start with cleanup. Reconcile one month at a time, then schedule a Profit & Cash Flow Analysis with our team for personalized next steps.
Ready to Get Your Store Tax-Ready? Let’s Do It Together.
As 1 Corinthians 14:40 reminds us: “Let everything be done decently and in order.”
At Curtis Accounting Solutions, we help outdoor recreation and sporting goods brands turn tax season from a scramble into a celebration — of clarity, stewardship, and financial freedom.
👉 Book your Free Profit & Cash Flow Analysis today:
Together, we’ll get your store tax-ready — and peace-of-mind ready.
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