2026 Tax Strategies for Startups | Part I
2026 Tax Strategies for Startups | Part I: Year-End Moves for Startup & Small Business Success
As founders and businesses prepare for 2026, smart tax planning can make all the difference, especially in a shifting regulatory and funding environment. Join Aprio and Chloe Capital for part one of our two-part Post-One Big Beautiful Bill & Beyond series, designed to help startup and small business leaders close out the year with confidence and clarity.
This session focuses on practical year-end tax strategies to position your company for success heading into 2026.
What You’ll Learn
✅ Year-end planning strategies for 2025 and early 2026
✅ R&D credits, Section 174 updates, and depreciation changes
✅ Entity structure optimization (LLC vs. C-Corp, S-Corp elections)
✅ How to prepare for fundraising or M&A from a tax perspective
✅ Common pitfalls for venture-backed startups
Who Should Attend
Best for: Founders, CFOs, Tax Preparers
Open to: All Chloe Capital portfolio and community founders
About the Speakers |
Allie Colman, CPA, MST, Northeast Technology Leader & Tax Partner at Aprio
Allie Colman, CPA, is a Tax Partner at Aprio, where she works closely with technology companies ranging from early-stage startups to large public corporations. With deep expertise in corporate tax (ASC 740), global and multistate compliance, and strategic planning, Allie helps founders navigate the complexities of U.S. tax law — particularly when foreign transactions or evolving regulations come into play. She’s known for her proactive, people-first approach, combining clear communication with creative problem-solving to deliver the best tax outcomes for her clients. Allie holds a BBA in Accounting and Management from Loyola University Maryland and a master’s in Taxation from Rutgers University. She is a licensed CPA in Pennsylvania and an active member of the Association for Corporate Growth and the MS Society.
Cardell McKinstry, CPA, Tax Partner | Mergers and Acquisitions at Aprio
Cardell McKinstry, CPA, is a Tax Director at Aprio, bringing over 15 years of experience in tax consulting and transaction advisory across industries, including construction, manufacturing, financial services, and telecommunications. He specializes in advising financial and strategic clients on the tax implications of mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, leveraged buyouts, and recapitalizations, helping organizations navigate complex deals while preserving value and flexibility. Prior to joining Aprio, Cardell held senior roles with Alvarez & Marsal’s Transaction Tax Group and Deloitte’s M&A Transaction Services Group, where he guided companies through every stage of the transaction lifecycle. Cardell holds both a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master’s in Taxation from the University of Alabama.
About Chloe Capital
Chloe Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in diverse and women-led technology companies. In addition to investing with a gender and diversity lens, Chloe Capital partners with universities, corporations and foundations like ECMC Foundation and the Richard King Mellon Foundation to host programs that help catalyze fundraising efforts for underrepresented founders. This collaborative approach to early stage investing has resulted in millions raised. Today, more than 50,000 people around the world have joined Chloe Capital’s Movement to turn #FoundersIntoFunders. ChloeCapital.com
About Aprio
Aprio is a Top 25, full-service business advisory, tax, and accounting firm passionate about helping clients achieve what’s next. Since 1952, Aprio has guided individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses — from early-stage startups to market leaders — across the U.S. and in more than 50 countries. With over 2,300 team members, Aprio delivers advisory, tax, audit, and private client services that help clients build value, drive growth, manage risk, and protect wealth. Aprio.com