Uneven cash flow
Revenue peaks in summer while equipment payments and insurance continue all year.
How we helpWe build a monthly cash plan in QuickBooks and time equipment purchases to your season.
Trades and field services · Tax · Books · Insurance
Tax, books and insurance for landscaping companies
Busy summers, snowy winters and crews that change with the season. We plan cash flow, run seasonal payroll and cover your trucks and equipment.
Lawn care, landscape and snow removal companies work with our office for seasonal payroll, equipment purchases, bookkeeping and commercial coverage.
Reviewed by Orkun Ozkaymak, CPA, MBA·Clients in all 50 states and abroad
Landscaping and snow removal
Two seasons, one business
Landscaping cash comes in waves. Spring hiring, summer peaks and winter snow contracts all change your payroll, your equipment needs and your insurance exposure.
Our office keeps your books current through every season and our agency makes sure your trucks, trailers, mowers and plows are covered for the work you actually do.
Special needs
What makes landscaping different, and how we help
Where landscapers most often need a hand.
Crews that change every year
Hiring and releasing seasonal workers means onboarding paperwork, unemployment filings and year-end forms every season.
How we helpWe handle new hire setup, payroll and state unemployment reporting for your seasonal crews.
Snow and ice liability
Plowing contracts add slip and fall exposure and night driving that summer policies may not expect.
How we helpOur agency reviews your coverage for snow work and helps you match it to your contracts.
Lots of equipment
Mowers, trailers and plows are bought often, and the depreciation choice affects this year and future years.
How we helpWe plan purchases before year end and track each piece of equipment in your books.
One coordinated office
Services for landscapers
Tax, accounting and insurance under one roof, so the numbers on your return, your books and your policies all agree.
Tax and accounting
Payroll taxSeasonal crew payroll with quarterly filings.Learn more QuickBooks bookkeepingQuickBooks by service line: maintenance, installs and snow.Learn more Business income taxBusiness returns with equipment depreciation.Learn more Business advisoryCash flow planning and pricing by season.Learn more Sales taxSales tax on plants, mulch and materials where it applies.Learn more
Calendar
Filings we keep on schedule
The recurring deadlines landscapers face most often. We track them for you and send reminders before anything is due.
- QuarterlyForm 941 and IDES unemploymentPayroll and state unemployment for your crews.
- January 31W-2, 940 and 1099-NECYear-end payroll and contractor forms.
- March 15 or April 15Business returnEntity return with equipment depreciation.
Dates shown are for calendar-year filers. When a due date falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day.
QuickBooks Online
Books built for landscapers
Your QuickBooks separates maintenance, installs and snow work, so you can see which service line earns the most.
Our office sets up QuickBooks Online with a chart of accounts designed for your industry and your entity type, mapped line by line to your tax return. Your books are ready for filing season all year.
Chart of accounts
- 41000Maintenance contractsIncome
- 41200Installation projectsIncome
- 41400Snow removalIncome
- 51000Plants and materialsCOGS
- 51100FuelExpense
- 15500Mowers and plows, cost per unitFixed asset
Mapped to your tax return lines
Questions
What landscapers ask us
How should I handle seasonal workers?
Seasonal workers are usually employees and need W-4s, I-9s and payroll withholding. We set them up each spring and handle year-end forms.
Do I need separate insurance for snow removal?
Snow work can change your liability exposure and auto use. We review your policy to make sure snow contracts are covered.
Should I buy equipment before year end?
A purchase before December 31 can lower this year's tax through depreciation, but only if it fits your cash flow. We plan it with you in the fall.
Related industries
All industriesConstruction and contractorsEvery job needs a certificate, every sub needs a 1099 and every bid needs real costs. We keep all three ready.Explore Cleaning and janitorialYour team works inside other people's homes and offices. We keep payroll correct and coverage ready for every client contract.Explore Real estate investors and landlordsDepreciation, passive loss rules and a sale that can trigger a big tax bill. We plan every property from purchase to exit and insure it along the way.Explore
Next step
Let's talk about your business
Request an insurance quote, or start your company with our office. Prefer to talk first? Book a time, virtual or in person.