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Essential QuickBooks® 2025 Year-End Tasks for Success in 2026

As another year draws to a close, proactive steps today can set a strong financial foundation for 2026. As small business owners and accountants, handling your 2025 year-end tasks with precision is paramount. With constant updates to tax regulations and the introduction of new QuickBooks® Online (QBO) features, here’s a detailed guide to help you efficiently transition into the new year.

1. Reconcile Financial Accounts

Eliminate discrepancies by reconciling your bank and credit card accounts. Navigate to Settings > Chart of Accounts > Reconcile. Match each account with its statements, verify your closing balances, and resolve any entries in Undeposited Funds or Uncategorized categories. Leverage QBO’s new tools that highlight unreconciled items to avert surprises later.Image 1

2. Assess Customer and Vendor Balances

Generate Accounts Receivable Aging and Accounts Payable Aging reports to gain insights into outstanding balances. Communicate with customers owing payments. For any overdue or uncollectible debts, consider appropriate write-offs using sound accounting principles. Additionally, audit vendor balances for completeness.

3. Compile and Analyze Year-End Reports

Review your Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Trial Balance documents, covering the full fiscal year. Scrutinize any negative balances or atypically large entries, utilizing filters by class or location to pinpoint discrepancies.Image 2

4. Manage 1099s and Contractor Information

Ensure that contractor details are correctly updated for 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC forms. Within QBO, go to Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s to validate addresses, W-9s, and payment records, preventing IRS issues come January.

5. Adjust and Close Books

Implement the necessary year-end adjustments such as depreciation, amortization, and adjustments for bad debts. Check your fiscal year settings under Settings→ Advanced to confirm period closure. Afterward, seal your books to thwart any unintended modifications.Image 3

6. Update Payroll Data

Especially for QuickBooks® Online Payroll users, ensure the following before the year ends:

  • Conduct final payroll, inclusive of bonuses and commissions

  • Verify all benefits, additional payments, and retirement contributions

  • Validate and update employee information (e.g., addresses, SSNs, W-4 updates)

  • Reevaluate W-2 forms to preempt filing errors

7. Optimize QuickBooks® Innovations

New automation features and categorization rules in 2025’s QuickBooks® release are game-changers. If using QuickBooks® Online Accountant to oversee various clients, now’s prime time to adopt these features.

For maximum efficiency, utilize QBO’s cash-flow projection tools or conduct a “budget vs. actual” analysis to underscore financial gaps or discrepancies. Accounting well today facilitates smoother operations in 2026. Remember, methodically closing the books now yields substantial benefits down the line.

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