01/21/2026
is usually framed as survival mode.
But it’s also one of the few times of year when clients are already engaged, responsive, and thinking seriously about their finances.
That makes it a natural moment for engagement clarity.
When scope, pricing, and engagement level don’t get clarified during tax season, they tend to get deferred until “later.” And later usually turns into May or June, when the momentum is gone.
The result isn’t just misaligned fees.
It’s misaligned expectations for the rest of the year.
The next 12 weeks don’t just determine how busy a firm is.
They quietly lock in revenue, boundaries, and client relationships for the next 12 months.
We’ve found this window matters more than most firms realize.
How are you thinking about engagement clarity this tax season?