Time is a tax professional’s most valuable—and most limited—resource. Whether you’re dealing with IRS deadlines, juggling client demands, or managing your team, it can feel like there’s never enough time in the day. But effective time management isn’t just about getting more done—it’s about doing the right things.
As Benjamin Franklin said, “You may delay, but time will not.” To succeed in tax resolution and grow your practice without sacrificing your sanity, you need to master how you spend your hours.
Start With a Time Audit
Before you improve your schedule, understand where your time goes. Track everything for a week—calls, emails, meetings, client work, admin tasks. You’ll likely discover that your time was involved in activities that can be reduced or eliminated.
Prioritize Revenue-Generating Activities (RGA)
IRS representation cases, initial consults, referral meetings—these are the tasks that move the needle. Administrative work and routine follow-ups are important, but they can often be delegated. Focus your energy on work that brings in business or directly serves clients.
Use Time Blocks
Group similar tasks and tackle them in dedicated chunks. For example:
- Monday mornings for case reviews
- Tuesday afternoons for prospect calls
- Friday mornings for team check-ins
- Wednesday mornings for marketing activities like networking or blog/book writing
Time blocking reduces the mental friction of task switching and helps you stay in flow.
Limit Interruptions
Turn off notifications during deep work. Let your team know when you’re unavailable unless it’s urgent. Consider setting up client communication hours so you’re not constantly checking messages.
Automate What You Can
Billing, appointment scheduling, document requests—many tasks can be automated using tools like TaxDome. The less time you spend on routine admin, the more you can focus on strategic work.
Delegate and Let Go
Practitioners should act competently and with promptness. Delegation helps you maintain that standard by letting others handle routine work under your supervision.
Set Clear Daily Goals
Start each day with the 3 most important top priorities. Don’t let your to-do list run your day—choose what matters most. Crossing off meaningful tasks creates momentum.
Batch Email and Communication
Instead of responding to emails all day long, batch them into 2–3 slots daily. This protects your focus and prevents distraction-driven work.
Review and Reflect Daily and Weekly
Spend up to 15 minutes each day and 30 minutes each Friday reviewing what worked, what didn’t, and what needs adjusting. Continuous improvement is key to effective time management. Document your three most important tasks for the next day and keep your focus there.
Good time management isn’t about squeezing every second—it’s about using your hours intentionally.
As author Stephen Covey said, “The key is in not spending time, but in investing it.” At Tax Resolution Academy®, we help tax professionals design workflows that align with their goals—so they can serve clients better and enjoy their business more.
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Here’s to working smarter, not harder!
And a brighter future for your tax practice!
If you want to know more consider joining the Tax Resolution Academy® by clicking this link to earn your Certified Taxpayer Representative™ (CTR™) certification
I hope this helps.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us.
I would love to hear your thoughts, challenges, and successes in writing your very own book.
Have a GREAT day,
Cordially,
Dan
Dan Henn, CPA, CTR™
Co-Founder, Tax Resolution Academy®
Managing Member
Tax Pro Academy, LLC
P.S. Want to learn more about the Tax Resolution Academy®, go to https://community.taxresolutionacademy.com.
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