(A Love Story Between You, the IRS, and Your Cash Flow… Gone Wrong)
Every year, right around the time business owners start feeling good about how much money they made, a familiar question pops up:
“Do I really have to make estimated tax payments?”
Followed closely by:
“And what actually happens if I… don’t?”
If you’ve ever hoped the IRS might just forget about you (adorable), you’re not alone.
Most entrepreneurs believe they’re stuck choosing between two bad options:
But here’s the plot twist: those aren’t your only options—and one of them is quietly costing you way more money than you realize.
Estimated payments aren’t about punishment. They’re about timing. The IRS simply wants its cut throughout the year instead of one dramatic April showdown. Miss that timing, and you don’t get yelled at—you get charged interest.
Currently? Around 8% annually.
Which leads to a much more interesting question:
What if your business can earn more than that by keeping the cash?
Now we’re talking strategy—not fear.
At Calculated Moves, we don’t believe in overpaying taxes “just to be safe.” That’s not conservative—it’s lazy planning.
Instead, we help business owners focus on three things:
For many business owners, paying 100% (or 110%) of last year’s tax liability is enough to stay penalty-free—while keeping the rest of the cash accessible, earning interest, and available if income dips.
Yes, that means you hold the money.
Yes, that means you stay in control.
And yes, that’s completely allowed.
Family businesses, reinvented careers, modern entrepreneurs—you didn’t start this journey to become an amateur IRS compliance officer.
You started it to:
Estimated payments done wrong create stress, surprises, and expensive mistakes. Done right? They become part of a bigger system that gives you clarity, confidence, and cash flexibility.
Because navigating the ebbs and flows of business is already hard enough.
Your tax strategy shouldn’t feel like whitewater rafting without a guide.
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Donna Bordeaux, CPA with Calculated Moves
Creativity and CPAs don’t generally go together. Most people think of CPAs as nerdy accountants who can’t talk with people. Well, it’s time to break that stereotype. Lively, friendly, and knowledgeable can be a part of your relationship with your CPA, as demonstrated by Donna and Chad Bordeaux. They have over 50 years of combined experience as entrepreneurial CPAs. They’ve owned businesses and helped business owners exceed their wildest dreams. They have been able to help businesses earn many times more profit than the average business in the same industry and are passionate about helping industries that help families build great memories.