77. Cash, Profit, and Taxes: How to Balance All Three

Tax planning is one of the most overlooked tools in ranch management, yet it can save a business thousands of dollars when done well. In this solo episode, John walks through the practical process Ranch Right uses with ranching clients to plan ahead, avoid surprises, and make smart decisions before the year ends. He explains why tax strategy should never be about panic spending and why good planning always starts with accurate numbers and a clear picture of the year.

John also breaks down how different types of income are taxed, how brackets work, and how ranchers can use livestock purchases, depreciation, and timing to manage their liability across multiple years. With clear examples and straightforward guidance, this episode helps ranchers understand how to make decisions that support cash flow, long-term profit, and tax liability.

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In this episode, I cover:

• Why tax planning starts with accurate financials before the end of the year
• How to project fall income and expenses and adjust through the season
• When prepaying expenses or making strategic purchases can make sense
• Common mistakes that drain cash without reducing taxes
• How tax brackets work and why managing income across multiple years matters
• The difference between ordinary income, capital gains, and self-employment taxes
• How livestock purchases, depreciation, and retirement accounts fit into a solid strategy

Connect with Ranch Right:

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• Check out all of our past webinars here

Resources & Links:

• Book a Free Discovery Call to Learn More
• Ranching for Profit
• Ranching.FYI
• Wally Olson, Olson Ranch LLC

Mentioned in this episode:

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