First 30 days: Look and act like a businessStep 7 of 25
Hire an accountant
A good accountant saves you more than they cost. They help you pick the right tax setup and keep you out of trouble with the IRS.
- Look for an accountant or an Enrolled Agent (EA) who works with small businesses in your industry.
- Ask how your LLC should be taxed. A one-owner LLC is taxed like a sole proprietor by default, and an LLC with two or more owners is taxed like a partnership.
- Ask whether an S corporation election could lower your self-employment tax. The election uses IRS Form 2553 and has a deadline.
- Set up a plan to pay quarterly estimated taxes.
Ask forAccountant or EATimingBefore your first big sale
How much should I set aside for taxes?
A simple calculator to pick the share of each payment to move into tax savings.
This playbook is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change, so confirm details with a licensed professional. Last reviewed September 2026.