Tax professionals are in the middle of their toughest season right now. I have a lot of respect for the people who do this work year after year. It takes patience, focus, emotional intelligence, and a high level of endurance to help people manage some of the most personal and sensitive parts of their financial lives. We work closely with our clients to ensure that their technology and technology practices support the pace, pressure, and responsibility of this work.
A Few Tech Tips From My Accounting Background
The tax and tech worlds overlap more than you might think. With that comes convenience, but also inherent risk. Here are a few reminders that can help protect you and your clients during a very busy time.
1. Be intentional about security: Client data is still a target. Use multi-factor authentication, secure portals, and encrypted document sharing. Avoid sending sensitive documents over regular email. A few simple steps can prevent a major headache. Don’t forget your regulatory compliance requirements. Stay up to date on best practices, and if you don’t have time to do this well yourself, rely on a trusted professional to help.
2. Keep your systems updated: I know it is tempting to click “remind me later” when your software wants to update. Especially when you have several returns pending and a client waiting for their return to be prepared in your office. Those updates often close security gaps. Taking the time now can save you time and stress later.
3. Verify anything that feels off: Tax season brings an increase in phishing attempts. If something feels strange, slow down. Look closely before clicking. Confirm client requests through an independent channel (don’t use the phone number within the email), especially when money is involved. I often find myself telling my team that they won’t get in trouble for reporting an email that turns out to be safe, but the damage from opening a malicious one is hard to recover from.
4. Use automation where it helps: Secure client intake forms, upload portals, automated reminders, workflow tools, and cloud-based file systems can lighten your load. You do not need to power through everything manually. Use tools that protect your energy. Mid-season implementation of a new tool was often off-limits for me. However, there are some tools that can be put in place quickly and with very little effort from you or your team. If you’re struggling with a task that could be automated – like client communication emails for prep documents and signature pages – and you want to know your options to fix it during the season, GadellNet can give you realistic expectations and timelines.
5. Protect your own mental bandwidth: Tax work demands focus and emotional capacity. Organize your time in ways that support your well-being. Block your calendar. Batch your work. Use templates. Limit unnecessary notifications. Your brain is one of your most important tools. Close your Teams chat and set your DND status. A recent webinar host gave me the advice to not just block my calendar with work appointments, but also be intentional about blocking clarity time. Maybe that means you read a book for a block of time or have lunch somewhere other than your desk. I always enjoyed a walk outside during tax season, and though they were few and far between, warm days required at least a ten-minute stroll to reset my brain.
A Note of Appreciation To Tax Professionals
To everyone preparing returns right now, I see you. I remember exactly what this season feels like. You are providing a service that keeps people and businesses afloat. Your work carries weight far beyond April 15. Our team at GadellNet does our best to understand what tax season means to preparers, and we have a perspective on what your life is consumed by now and into the spring.
Closing Thoughts
My work now revolves around financial strategy, technology, and long-term planning, but I have never forgotten what it feels like to be deep in tax season. It built resilience that I still rely on. It taught me to appreciate the people who keep financial systems running behind the scenes.
To everyone in the middle of tax season, I hope your software behaves, your clients are prepared, your coffee is strong, and you find a moment to breathe. Thank you for the work you do and contact us today with questions.
