Tax season doesn’t have to be a scramble. Whether you’re a small business owner seeking to reinvest every dollar smartly or a family aiming to optimize your personal finances, 2025 brings fresh opportunities—and fresh complexities—in tax planning. At ORT Consulting, our 30+ years of guiding clients through state, local, and federal tax landscapes mean we’re uniquely equipped to help you detect every eligible deduction, leverage powerful tech like QuickBooks, and stay ahead of evolving tax laws.

Understanding the 2025 Tax Landscape

This year, the IRS has updated standard deduction amounts and adjusted several tax credits for inflation—like the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Credit—while Illinois has tweaked thresholds on property tax relief. Getting these figures right can make a meaningful difference to your tax bill.

Key changes include:

The 2025 standard deduction is $13,850 for single filers and $27,700 for joint filers.

Illinois property tax relief has increased to a maximum credit of $10,000.

These updates open new opportunities for tax savings, but they also make it essential to review your personal and business strategies early.

Small Business Strategies

Small-business owners have unique opportunities to optimize their tax position in 2025. With the right planning, you can make the most of available deductions and keep more of your hard-earned revenue.

Leverage Section 179 and bonus depreciation: Investing in qualifying equipment or software before year-end may significantly reduce taxable income.

Identify overlooked deductions: Home office expenses, health insurance premiums for the self-employed, education and training costs, and vehicle mileage can all add up—especially when tracked efficiently through QuickBooks.

Optimize retirement contributions: Setting up or contributing to a SEP IRA or Solo 401(k) can help you reduce current tax liability while building long-term financial security.

For example, a sole-proprietor using QuickBooks to log mileage, equipment purchases, and vendor expenses may reduce taxable income by thousands—while also maintaining a cleaner, audit-ready financial record.

Personal Finance Tactics

Individuals and families can also take meaningful steps to lower their tax burden in 2025.

Maximize retirement savings: Contributions to IRAs and 401(k)s remain one of the most effective ways to reduce taxable income.

Take advantage of itemized deductions: Depending on your financial situation, deductions for state and local taxes (SALT), charitable donations, and mortgage interest may exceed the standard deduction.

Plan ahead if you’re self-employed or part of the gig economy: Quarterly estimated tax payments, self-employed health insurance deductions, and home office claims can all provide substantial savings.

Even if taxes feel overwhelming, working with an experienced consultant can turn stress into strategy—helping you keep more money for what matters most.

Technology & ORT’s Expertise

Efficiency and accuracy are the cornerstones of smart tax planning. At ORT Consulting, we help clients master QuickBooks—whether setting up efficient invoice tracking, reconciling accounts, or generating a clear trail of expenses for deductions.

Combining these tools with our decades of tax expertise allows us to transform complex financial situations into clear, actionable plans. This partnership ensures you’re not only compliant with current tax laws but also fully capitalizing on every available benefit.

Make 2025 Your Best Tax Year Yet

Ready to make tax season your ally in 2025? Contact ORT Consulting for a tailored tax-saving strategy that aligns with your business and personal goals. And don’t miss our newsletter—packed with timely tax tips and financial insights—delivered directly to your inbox.