RT Snyder Jr.

By the time June arrives, most people have stopped thinking about taxes altogether. But summer is actually one of the best opportunities to review your financial situation while there is still time to make adjustments before year-end. 

For Montana families, ranchers, retirees, and small business owners, June through August can bring major changes in income, expenses, and business activity. A mid-year review can help you avoid surprises next spring and put you in a better financial position before fall arrives. 

To get you started, here are five smart tax moves you can consider before summer ends. 

1. Review Your Income and Withholding 

A lot can change during the first half of the year. New jobs, retirement distributions, business growth, seasonal work, or self-employment income can all affect your tax situation.

• Ask yourself: Are enough taxes being withheld? 

• Do you need to adjust estimated payments? 

• Will your taxes look different this year? 

Many rural Montana taxpayers face unpredictable income from weather, tourism, construction, agriculture, or commodity prices. Reviewing now helps avoid penalties and big tax bills. 

2. Organize Business and Farm Records Before Fall Busy Season 

Summer gets busy fast in Montana. Once harvest, fairs, tourism season, and fall projects ramp up, bookkeeping often falls behind. 

A quick mid-year cleanup now can save major stress later. 

Review items such as: 

• fuel and vehicle expenses 

• equipment repairs and purchases 

• payroll records 

• contractor payments 

• receipts and invoices 

Waiting until tax season to organize records leads to missed deductions and stress. A few hours of cleaning up in June or July make a huge difference later. 

3. Check Retirement Contributions and Distributions 

Mid-year is also a good time to revisit retirement planning. 

Depending on your situation, you may want to:

• increase IRA contributions 

• contribute to a SEP IRA or SIMPLE IRA 

• review withholding on retirement income 

• prepare for required minimum distributions 

If you are self-employed or own a business, retirement contributions give long-term savings and current-year tax benefits. 

4. Think Ahead Before Making Major Purchases 

Summer and early fall are common times for equipment purchases, work trucks, trailers, fencing projects, and machinery upgrades. 

Before making large purchases, it is important to consider: 

• Section 179 deductions 

• bonus depreciation 

• financing terms 

• overall cash flow needs 

A deduction alone should never drive a purchase decision, but proper planning can help maximize available tax benefits. 

5. Schedule a Mid-Year Tax Planning Meeting 

One of the biggest mistakes taxpayers make is waiting until tax season to discuss issues that could have been addressed months earlier. 

A summer planning meeting allows time to: 

• project tax liability 

• adjust payroll or owner distributions 

• review bookkeeping 

• discuss upcoming purchases 

• identify potential issues early 

For Montana families and business owners, planning ahead means fewer surprises at tax time and more flexibility. 

Final Thoughts 

June, July, and August are more than just busy summer months; they are an opportunity to take control of your financial picture before year-end approaches. 

Whether you operate a ranch outside town, own a small business, or are preparing for retirement here in Montana, a little planning now can go a long way before the year is over.