Too many manufacturers treat taxes as a once-a-year compliance exercise. You gather the documents, sign the return, write the check, and move on. But the reality is that tax planning is one of the most powerful strategic tools available to business owners, especially in capital-intensive industries like manufacturing.

In this episode of Buy the Numbers, I'm joined by Dylan Valentyn and Julie Helms from CliftonLarsonAllen to walk through what manufacturers should actually be thinking about as they prepare their 2025 returns and look ahead to 2026. This conversation builds on recent tax law changes and focuses less on loopholes and more on decision-making, timing, and tradeoffs.

We talk about accounting method changes, bonus depreciation, R&D tax credits, inventory strategies, and real estate considerations, but always through the lens of practicality. Just because you can take a deduction doesn't always mean you should. The right answer depends on cash flow, growth plans, ownership structure, and even your long-term exit strategy.

If you've ever wondered whether you're leaving money on the table or pulling the wrong levers at the wrong time, this episode is a reminder that the biggest tax wins usually come from planning ahead, asking better questions, and having the right advisors in your corner.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• (0:00) Why tax planning should go beyond annual compliance
• (0:58) Introducing Dylan Valentyn and Julie Helms from CLA
• (2:51) Cash vs accrual accounting and when switching methods makes sense
• (6:39) How Factur can help you build out your sales pipeline
• (7:47) Using accounting method changes to manage cash flow timing
• (10:19) What didn't change in recent tax law and why that matters
• (11:39) Bonus depreciation returns: what qualifies and key dates to know
• (13:47) Net operating losses, carryforwards, and practical limits
• (17:34) Timing deductions vs paying taxes over the life of the business
• (18:42) Section 174 changes and catching up prior-year R&D costs
• (21:30) What qualifies as R&D in manufacturing (without lab coats) (25:00) How to achieve on-time delivery with ProShop ERP
• (26:54) Economic risk, contracts, and who really owns R&D
• (29:36) Process changes, automation, and integration as R&D opportunities
• (31:29) Training vs experimentation and where R&D begins and ends
• (34:44) Inventory strategy considerations, including LIFO timing
• (37:12 Cost segregation studies and accelerating building depreciation
• (38:53) Qualified production property and manufacturing-specific benefits
• (40:22) Why we created Hire MFG Leaders—and how you can use it
• (40:54) Why proactive CPA relationships matter more than tax software

Resources & People Mentioned

• Unlocking Tax Savings: Essential Strategies You Can Implement Immediately, Ep #10
• The One Big Beautiful Bill: What Manufacturers Need to Know Now, 474
• Get a free report of opportunities in your industry from FacturMFG.com/chips
• Maximizing Tax Savings: R&D Credits, Entity Selection, and the Work Opportunity Credit, Ep #11
• Get ProShop's guide to on-time delivery
• Use Hire MFG Leaders for your next recruit

Connect with Dylan & Julie from CLA

• Connect with Dylan
• [email protected]
• Connect with Julie
• [email protected]

Connect With Buy the Numbers

• Follow on LinkedIn
• Connect with Mike Payne on LinkedIn

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Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK