As tax season draws near, business owners across the country are gathering documents and bracing for what many view as an unavoidable expense. But according to David Perez, founder and CEO of Tax Maverick AI, that mindset is costing entrepreneurs far more than they realize.
Joining us on today’s episode of The Small Business Show, Perez identifies the biggest mistake business owners make in treating taxes as a once-a-year filing requirement instead of a year-round growth strategy.
Rethinking the tax mindset
As tax season ramps up, small business owners across the country are gathering documents and bracing for what many view as an unavoidable expense. But according to David A. Perez, founder and CEO of Tax Maverick AI, that mindset is costing entrepreneurs far more than they realize.
“The biggest challenge today is that the tax code continuously changes and evolves.”
The issue, Perez explains, is not necessarily negligence. The tax code is constantly evolving, and many accountants are stretched thin managing compliance work for dozens or hundreds of clients. As a result, business owners often assume their trusted advisor is maximizing every available opportunity, when in reality, they may only be receiving baseline preparation services.
After nearly a decade of building a successful tax practice, Perez discovered he owed $142,000 in taxes when he prepared his own return. Despite years in the industry, he realized he understood compliance but had not fully mastered advanced tax strategy. That experience prompted a multi-year deep dive into the tax code, focused not on filing clients’ returns but on understanding how high-income earners legally minimize their liability. Over time, he restructured his own finances and ultimately eliminated his tax burden while reporting seven-figure income. The experience reshaped his business model from tax preparation to strategic advisory.
The hidden leaks
One of the most overlooked areas, Perez says, is estimated quarterly payments. Those payments are typically based on the prior year’s tax bill, divided into four installments. Without reviewing current-year performance and forecasting income, business owners can end up overpaying throughout the year. A tax strategist can legally amend estimated payment schedules to reflect projected earnings and planned deductions, freeing up capital for reinvestment.
For tax purposes, what matters most is a business’s position on Dec. 31. Income received at year-end, unpaid vendor obligations, and even major life events can significantly alter a tax bill. Business owners who wait until filing season to evaluate their options often miss opportunities that could have been implemented earlier in the year.
Perez emphasizes that meaningful tax strategy is not reserved for large corporations. While higher-income businesses may have access to more advanced tools, nearly every income level has options. Common strategies include reinvesting in equipment or machinery, contributing to retirement accounts before the April filing deadline, leveraging real estate purchases, and, in more complex cases, participating in specialized investment vehicles. The key difference is intentional planning rather than reactive reporting.
Building like a CEO
Beyond tax mechanics, Perez argues that business growth itself demands a mindset shift. Many founders remain stuck as operators, handling day-to-day tasks instead of leading strategically. Transitioning into a true CEO role requires building a team and delegating responsibilities. He points to hiring an executive assistant as a foundational step, enabling founders to protect their time and focus on higher-level decisions, including financial strategy.
To support the accounting community, Perez developed Tax Maverick AI, a software designed to help professionals identify potential tax-saving strategies within client returns. The platform uses artificial intelligence to analyze data and generate recommendations. However, Perez cautions that technology alone is insufficient. Human judgment remains essential for evaluating nuance, understanding client goals, and determining which strategies are appropriate.
As tax documents begin arriving in mailboxes and inboxes, Perez advises business owners to start with organization. Consolidating records before sending them to an accountant improves efficiency and accuracy. More importantly, he encourages deeper conversations about what is possible. If business growth has significantly outpaced a long-time advisor’s capabilities, it may be time to seek additional strategic support. Tax preparation and tax strategy do not have to come from the same provider.
Ultimately, Perez believes taxes should be viewed as a lever for wealth creation rather than an unavoidable cost of doing business. For small business owners preparing for the year ahead, shifting from passive compliance to a proactive strategy could mean retaining and reinvesting substantial capital, strengthening both the business and the families behind it.
