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Essential Year-End QuickBooks® Tasks for 2025

As autumn transitions into the anticipation of 2026, small business owners and accountants alike recognize the importance of properly closing the books to set a strong foundation for the upcoming fiscal year. With ever-evolving tax regulations and the latest QuickBooks® Online (QBO) capabilities, here are pivotal tasks to accomplish by December 31 to ensure a seamless 2025 tax season.

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1. Reconcile Accounts Accurately

Avoid year-end discrepancies by accessing Settings > Chart of Accounts > Reconcile. Diligently match each account to its corresponding statement, verify ending balances, and address transactions in the Undeposited Funds or Uncategorized categories. Utilize QBO's updated features designed to flag unreconciled items early.

2. Maintain Customer & Vendor Balances

Generate reports for Accounts Receivable Aging and Accounts Payable Aging. Communicate with customers who have outstanding invoices by sending timely statements. For bills deemed overdue or collectible, consider write-offs while exercising sound accounting judgment. Ensure vendor balances reflect all necessary entries.

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3. Finalize Comprehensive Year-End Reports

Thoroughly review your Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Trial Balance reports for the entire year. Identify and rectify any anomalies such as negative balances or disproportionately large transactions. Filter reports by class or location to detect unusual variances.

4. Streamline Contractor Tracking and 1099s

Ensure all contractors are duly marked for 1099-NEC or 1099-MISC. Navigate to Expenses → Vendors → Prepare 1099s in QBO to verify addresses, collect W-9 forms, and confirm payment accuracy. Addressing these details now will help avoid IRS complications.

5. Make Essential Adjustments and Secure Your Books

Complete all necessary year-end adjustments, including depreciation, amortization, bad debt reductions, owner draws, and retained earnings transfers. Confirm the correct fiscal year settings under Settings → Advanced to guide QBO correctly. Lock your books post-adjustments to guard against unauthorized modifications.

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6. Update Payroll and Employee Information

If utilizing QuickBooks® Online Payroll, it's crucial to:

  • Process the final payroll run of the year, including any bonuses and commissions.

  • Ensure that all benefits, fringe payments, and retirement contributions are precisely recorded.

  • Double-check and update essential employee data such as addresses, SSNs, and W-4 changes.

  • Preview and correct any discrepancies on W-2 forms prior to filing.

7. Optimize by Leveraging New QuickBooks® Features

The 2025 updates to QuickBooks® include enhanced automation, categorization rules, and interface refinements. It’s advantageous to integrate these advancements now, especially for firms using QuickBooks® Online Accountant to handle multiple clients effectively.

Bonus insight:

Utilize QBO’s cash-flow projection tools or conduct a “budget vs. actual” analysis to identify potential gaps. If unexpected expenses or diminished revenue impacted 2025, consider allocating reserves or adjusting estimated tax payments ahead of schedule.

Avoid the year-end rush by thoroughly reconciling accounts, verifying balances, completing tax forms, refreshing payroll data, and exploiting the latest QuickBooks® functionalities, ensuring a smooth transition into 2026. Your diligence now will yield benefits in the future.

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