You Need A Tax Planner, Not Just A Tax Preparer
Keystone Tax isn't just looking back on your last year of finances; they look forward, at the bigger picture
Like clockwork, the fifth (and often unsung) season of the year is here: tax season. Like most folks, locals typically put a pin in their tax preparations until the spring season rolls around. That routine is rarely in your best interest.
Still, life is busy, and why add stress to your day-to-day when you can call up your tax person just once a year? As Eau Claire’s Keystone Tax President, Jesse Becker, explains, planning ahead makes for better outcomes.
“When most people think about tax preparation, they think about a CPA or a general tax preparer that you drop off your documents to get your return prepared,” Jesse said. “The problem with that is, you’re only looking backwards on a year that’s already happened.
“Tax planning, though, means working on taxes throughout the year while you can still make changes and make more impact,” he said.
Enter, Keystone Tax. The growing, four-person tax team that specializes in face-to-face, proactive planning versus preparation, with acute expertise in small business owners’ taxes, retirees or soon-to-retire folks’ taxes, and real estate taxes.
Our relationships with clients really stand out, and that's hand-in-hand with the education piece of Keystone. ... You shouldn't be holding your breath during tax season to see if you owe money or have a refund. –Jesse Becker, president of Keystone Tax
While Keystone Tax can meet people where they are – through virtual or phone call meetings – face-to-face meetings start off the relationship best, Jesse said.
An initial consultation – offered for free at Keystone Tax – is a roughly one-hour meeting with Jesse or one of Keystone’s additional tax experts. By talking through your current tax situation and walking through any obstacles or concerns you may have Keystone Tax can hit the ground running toward your tax goals.
“Every year is different and so is every person’s situation,” Jesse said. “For some people, their focus is lowering their tax liabilities. For some people getting ready to retire, they want to look ahead at upcoming retirement taxes and the unique opportunities they may have. For business owners, they may be looking for ways to offset taxable income.”
What does all that tax-related lingo mean? Just ask.
“Our relationships with clients really stand out, and that’s hand-in-hand with the education piece of Keystone,” Jesse said. “The most important thing for a client to have with their tax professional is confidence.
"Are you confident that you know why your tax person is making the recommendations they are? Do you know why your return’s estimate is what it is? You shouldn’t be holding your breath during tax season every year to see if you owe money or have a refund.”
Your tax window isn’t just during “tax season,” especially when you can schedule meeting over at Keystone’s Eau Claire office any time – and typically get in in one week.
Jesse and his wife, Hannah, grew up in the Eau Claire area and planted their roots here. It made sense to do the same with Keystone Tax’s only office, Jesse said.
“We’re a tight team; we’re intentionally growing so that we can truly offer long-term relationships,” Jesse said. “So many people are confused by or have uncertainty – rightfully so – around taxes. It’s our goal to prove you don’t have to feel that way about your taxes.”
Whether you’ve already filed for last year and want to pivot in the right direction for 2026, or you haven’t gotten around to your tax return quite yet, make the quick call to Keystone Tax and set up your first appointment. By planning ahead now, you can file with confidence in the future.
KEYSTONE TAX
Address: 4252 Southtowne Dr., Suite D, Eau Claire
Phone number: (715) 835-6022
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