Tax Strategy
Business Tax Optimization
Pay Less. Legally.
Most businesses overpay on taxes because their structure wasn’t built for tax efficiency. We redesign your entity structure, compensation, and deductions to keep more money where it belongs.
Key Takeaway
The most impactful business tax strategies are implemented before year-end, not at filing time. Year-round planning — entity structuring, income timing, deduction maximization — is what separates businesses that overpay from those that don’t.
You’re Probably Paying More in Taxes Than You Should.
Here’s the reality: the tax code rewards businesses that plan. Entity structure, owner compensation, retirement contributions, depreciation strategies, and timing of income and expenses — each of these is a lever that can save you tens of thousands of dollars every year.
Most businesses operate with whatever entity structure their CPA set up when they first incorporated. That structure may have been right at the time, but as your business has grown, your tax picture has changed dramatically. What worked at $500K in revenue doesn’t work at $5 million.
We approach business tax optimization as attorneys — not accountants. That means we can implement strategies that require legal restructuring: entity conversions, holding company structures, qualified retirement plans, and compensation arrangements that CPAs can’t execute on their own.
Every dollar you save in taxes is a dollar you can reinvest in your business. For a comprehensive overview of our approach, explore our tax strategies library.
From Our Practice
In our experience, the most effective tax optimization happens before year-end — not at filing time. We work with business owners throughout the year to time income recognition, maximize deductions, and implement entity structures that produce the lowest legally defensible tax liability.
What We Do
Business Tax Optimization Services
Entity Structure Review
S-Corp, C-Corp, LLC, partnership — the right entity structure depends on your specific situation. We analyze your business and recommend the structure that minimizes your total tax burden.
Reasonable Compensation
S-Corp owners must pay themselves reasonable compensation. Too high and you overpay payroll tax. Too low and you risk IRS scrutiny. We find the right balance and defend it.
Retirement Plan Design
Solo 401(k)s, defined benefit plans, and cash balance plans can shelter $60,000 to $300,000+ per year from taxes. We design plans optimized for maximum deferral.
Cost Segregation Studies
Accelerate depreciation on commercial real estate to generate massive first-year deductions. Our cost segregation analyses typically save property owners 20-40% in the first year.
R&D Tax Credits
If your business develops products, processes, or software, you may qualify for R&D tax credits worth thousands annually. We identify qualifying activities and prepare documentation.
Multi-Entity Structuring
For business owners with multiple ventures, we design holding company structures that optimize tax flow, protect assets, and simplify operations.
How It Works
Business Tax Strategy: Explained
How much can I actually save?
It depends on your situation, but most business owners we work with save $30,000 to $150,000+ annually through proper tax optimization. The savings come from multiple sources: entity restructuring, compensation rebalancing, retirement plan contributions, and strategic deduction timing.
We start with a comprehensive analysis of your current tax position and model the impact of each potential strategy before implementing anything.
When should I restructure my business entity?
Key triggers include: your business income has grown significantly, you’re paying more than 30% effective tax rate, you’ve added partners or investors, you’re preparing for a sale or exit, or your current structure creates unnecessary complexity.
Entity restructuring has legal and tax implications that require careful planning. We handle the full conversion — articles of organization, operating agreements, tax elections, and transition planning.
What retirement plans save the most on taxes?
For high-income business owners, defined benefit plans and cash balance plans offer the largest tax deferral — up to $300,000+ per year in tax-deductible contributions. Solo 401(k) plans allow up to $69,000 (2025) in combined employer and employee contributions.
The right plan depends on your age, income, number of employees, and retirement timeline. We design plans that maximize your deferral while meeting ERISA compliance requirements.
Isn’t this just what my CPA does?
CPAs are excellent at preparing returns and identifying deductions within your existing structure. But many of the most powerful tax optimization strategies — entity conversions, qualified retirement plan design, holding company structures, and legal reorganizations — require legal implementation that CPAs can’t provide.
We work alongside your CPA. They handle the compliance; we handle the strategy.
Talk to a Tax Attorney
Not Sure Where You Stand?
Schedule a free 15-minute call. We’ll assess your situation, outline your options, and tell you exactly what to expect — no obligation.
or call (619) 378-3138
Why Brotman Law
Tax Strategy From Attorneys Who Understand Business
Legal + Tax Expertise
Tax optimization often requires legal restructuring. We’re both attorneys and tax specialists — we design and implement strategies in one firm.
150+ Transactions
We’ve structured over 150 multimillion-dollar corporate transactions. We know what works at scale.
Proactive, Not Reactive
We don’t wait for tax season. We plan year-round so you’re always positioned for maximum savings.
Defense-Informed Strategy
Having defended hundreds of audits, we know which strategies the IRS scrutinizes — and we build strategies that withstand examination.
Custom Solutions
No cookie-cutter playbooks. Every recommendation is tailored to your specific business, industry, and financial goals.
Measurable Results
We quantify the expected savings before you commit. If the numbers don’t work, we’ll tell you.
Learn More
Business Tax Guides & Resources
Free Guide
Tax Strategies
Explore our library of tax planning strategies for businesses and business owners.
Read the Guide →
Free Guide
Exit Planning
Planning to sell? Learn how tax strategy and exit planning work together.
Read the Guide →
Free Guide
Individual Tax Optimization
Optimize your personal taxes alongside your business strategy.
Read the Guide →
Free Guide
A comprehensive, attorney-written resource covering everything you need to know about this topic.
Related services: Individual Tax Optimization • Residency & Multi-State Tax • Exit Planning
Also consider: IRS Audits • Criminal Tax Defense
Frequently Asked Questions
Business Tax Optimization FAQs
How much does business tax optimization cost?
Our fees depend on the complexity of your situation, but we structure engagements so the savings far exceed the cost. Most clients see a 5-10x return on their investment in tax planning within the first year.
Should I switch from an LLC to an S-Corp?
It depends on your net income, self-employment tax exposure, and business circumstances. The S-Corp election can save significant self-employment tax, but it also comes with additional compliance requirements and reasonable compensation rules.
Can you work with my existing CPA?
Absolutely. We collaborate with your CPA on implementation. They handle the ongoing compliance and return preparation; we design the strategy and handle any legal restructuring required.
When is the best time to do tax planning?
Year-round, but certain strategies have deadlines. Entity elections, retirement plan establishment, and equipment purchases all have timing requirements. The worst time to plan is April — start early in the tax year for maximum flexibility.
Do you help with tax planning for startups?
Yes. Early-stage entity selection and structuring can save significant taxes as the business grows. We also help founders plan for eventual exits, including QSBS qualification and other capital gains strategies.
What industries do you work with?
We work with businesses across all industries, with particular depth in real estate, professional services, technology, healthcare, construction, and e-commerce. Tax optimization principles apply universally, but we tailor implementation to industry-specific rules.
Get Started Today
Book Your Free 15-Minute Call
Schedule a brief call with our team to discuss your situation. We’ll assess where things stand and outline your options — confidentially and without obligation.
- Completely confidential — protected by attorney-client privilege
- Every situation is different — you’ll receive a custom assessment tailored to yours
- Same-day and next-day appointments available