Off-season client tips: stay top of mind through 2026

The most successful tax professionals know there is no “off-season,” and post-Tax Day is the best time to build stronger client relationships. With tax law changes rolling out under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), upcoming 2026 shifts and a constant stream of IRS updates, your clients need clear, proactive guidance more than ever.

Staying visible now helps position you as a trusted expert when filing season ramps up again. Here’s how you can communicate strategically, save yourself time and keep clients engaged all year long.

What messages matter most right now?

Your clients may not be thinking about taxes in December, but they are thinking about the year ahead. Off-season communication should focus on things that feel useful, timely and easy to act on.

Try sharing updates or reminders about key IRS changes taking effect in 2025 and 2026, new deductions under OBBBA, estimated tax payments and payroll adjustments, 2026 filing season dates, year-end planning for retirement, education and business expenses.

This kind of guidance reinforces your value and keeps clients from scrambling later.

How can you make your outreach feel personal without spending extra time?

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Use tools that allow you to communicate consistently without burning hours on content creation.

Ideas that work:

• Client newsletters with useful tax updates
• Seasonal email templates for year-end reminders or pre-season check-ins
• Short, educational social posts you can schedule ahead
• A quick “what’s changing next year” roundup
• Workflow-driven automated emails from your tax software

If you’re an NATP member, your newsletters are already written for you — just download, personalize and send.

What should you share to build trust going into 2026?

The strongest relationships are built on transparency and anticipation. Clients appreciate hearing from you before they need something.

Share updates that help them understand upcoming tax law changes, prepare documents earlier, avoid common filing mistakes, plan for life events (marriage, dependents, education, etc.) and track new deductions/credits that affect them. This, in turn, also helps you, and makes you the go-to person they trust the moment a tax question comes up.

How do you communicate without overwhelming clients?

Think small, simple and consistent. Keep it to one topic per email to make sure your message remains clear. Short explanations work better than long lectures, and callouts or bolded takeaways help clients know what to do next.

Clients don’t need everything at once; they need the right things at the right time.

What communication channels do clients actually pay attention to?

Your clients consume information differently, so vary the way you reach them:

• Email: still the most reliable way to share tax updates
• Social media: great for quick reminders and evergreen tips
• Website updates: ideal for long-lasting reference content like FAQs
• Voicemail/on-hold messages: perfect for deadline reminders
• Text messaging: effective for appointment confirmations or urgent alerts

A mix of channels increases your chances of staying visible without extra effort.

Why consistency matters more than frequency

You don’t need to send updates every week; you just need a predictable rhythm. Monthly or quarterly touchpoints can do the job.

The more consistently clients hear from you, the more confident they feel relying on you. That trust becomes loyalty, and loyal clients are the ones who refer you.

Resources that make communication easier

NATP members have access to tools that help you stay connected without starting from scratch:

• Professionally written client newsletters
• Monthly marketing articles
• Downloadable graphics and checklists
• Webinars to help you stay ahead of tax law changes
• Member-only insights to share with clients

If you want communication that feels effortless (and keeps clients close), these resources streamline your entire outreach strategy.

Client communication doesn’t stop with the April deadline. The off-season is your chance to strengthen relationships and position your practice for a smoother, more successful filing season in 2026.

Keeping clients informed now makes the busy months feel easier for both you and them. When they’re ready to act, you’ll be the first person they turn to.