Service business owners spend countless hours each year managing federal taxes, and according to a 2025 NSBA survey, the majority (90%) say federal tax requirements affect their day-to-day operations, with one in three adding that impact is significant. Between tracking payments, managing clients, and running jobs on-site or off-site, tax season can quickly become a strain on time and cash flow.
Running a service business means balancing schedules, clients, and payments … often all at once. This free tool breaks down the essentials of bookkeeping and tax prep for service-based businesses, so you can stay compliant and spend less time dealing with paperwork.
Whether you accept in-person payments, send invoices, or payment links, as your business scales, this guide is designed to meet you where you are and help you prepare for what’s next.
What you’ll learn:
- A tax season checklist for service professionals
- Common deductions service businesses miss (and how to track them)
- How cash vs. accrual accounting affects service-based income
- Quarterly taxes and estimated payments to plan for
- When to consider bringing in a tax professional or accountant
