The tax season without end has finally ended. The deadline of October 15 passed last week for those who got an extension on their taxes. And you know what that means now? There are fewer than three months left until 2021 (yes, we are all that ready to leave 2020 behind that the countdown can begin). And you know what that means now? Time is running short to make some changes to your tax picture for next year.

Just what can you do to make those changes? Well the answer to that depends upon who you are and what you are trying to do. In this year of all years (even if that has been achieved through a horrible ranking), though, I think it is a time when more people than ever should be asking that question.

Through the year’s series of endless debacles, many people are in a different financial situation than is shown on their 2019 tax return. In many cases, this means things have taken an unfortunate turn. It could then be possible to put less away for taxes over the final months of this year and still have fulfilled your tax obligation. In this time of financial stress for many, any chance to get a little more money into your bank account can be of great benefit.

But even for those who have been lucky enough to move in the other direction and are in a better financial situation, you also want to make sure that your tax obligation is being fulfilled. In this year when life have proved it can massively change in littles time, you don’t want to end up in a precarious situation with an unexpected tax bill that you can not afford to pay.

In either case – and really in any case when it comes to your finances – planning and preparation are key. We cannot foresee every twist and turn that life will take. After all, I certainly never expected to be writing an article like this a year ago, trying to help people navigate a struggling economy due to a pandemic would have seem alarmist. Taking action is what helps you get through those times, though. A wait-and-see approach sometimes turns out to be okay, and can even result in favorable outcomes, but why not just know the good outcome is coming? Making moves is a can’t-lose situation because it sets you up in the best possible situation. There is empowerment to be had by doing it, too, and feeling empowered is something that can be difficult to find in this time when so much is out of our hands.