Tax season—it’s that time of year that every accountant, finance team, and HR professional dreads.
The stress of high-pressure deadlines, late nights, and long hours can weigh heavily on your team, especially as the dreaded April 15th approaches.
The numbers speak for themselves — according to Tax Goddess, during peak tax season, most accountants work well over 40 hours per week during busy seasons, clocking between 50 and 100 hours weekly. Phew!
But while tax season might feel like a grind, it also presents a golden opportunity to recognize your team’s hard work and make them feel valued.
Take the time this year to recognize your employees for their contribution with a dedicated tax day appreciation strategy. The ideas in this list are designed to help get you started and reward employees for another successful tax day!
Check out a few of our favorite tax day ideas to appreciate accountants and tax professionals for their hard work!
Ways To Celebrate Tax Season With Your Team
From fun team-building activities to employee appreciation gifts, there are a variety of ways to appreciate your employees for tax season. Harness that blood, sweat, and tears and convert them into real-world thank-yous.
👋 Hey! It truly takes a village. These ideas are not just for your accounting and finance teams—they can apply to any department that’s been navigating the busy season.
The key is to show that you recognize the pressure everyone is under and that their efforts are appreciated. Here are 10 unique and thoughtful ways to show your team appreciation during and after tax season.
1) Send Them a Thank You Gift with Stadium
“A personalized gift that speaks volumes”
Tax season isn’t just about hard work—it’s about the hustle that goes unnoticed in the grind. So, why not send a thank-you gift that matches the effort? Stadium, an employee recognition and gifting service, offers a diverse selection of Tax Day-themed gifts that employees can choose from.
The vast Stadium catalog includes a variety of high-quality tech items, gourmet treats, personalized experiences, and even an option to let employees pick a gift that feels tailored to them. This global delivery service ensures that your team, whether remote or in-person, gets recognized.
Why we love this appreciation idea for tax day: It’s the ultimate in personalization. Giving employees the ability to choose their gifts makes them feel genuinely recognized, while the global delivery guarantees no one is left out, regardless of where they’re working from.
2) Stock the Kitchen with Snacks and Drinks
“Fuel their focus and energy during the busiest season of the year.”
During tax season, time is a precious commodity, and so are breaks. With extended hours and tight deadlines, your employees might skip lunch or only take short, rushed breaks.
To show appreciation, why not make their lives easier by stocking the kitchen with snacks, drinks, and quick, easy-to-grab options?
Think of a “Tax Season Survival Kit” filled with healthy snacks, coffee, and indulgent treats to keep them powered through the day. A stocked kitchen filled with healthy office snacks doesn’t just meet a need; it shows that you care about their well-being.
Why we love this appreciation idea for tax day: This is a simple, cost-effective way to boost energy levels and make your team feel cared for. It helps maintain productivity without adding extra stress, and it’s a thoughtful way to show appreciation without overwhelming your busy team.
3) Plan an Afternoon Team Event
“Break up the stress with some fun.”
Tax season can feel like a sprint with no finish line in sight, but a fun afternoon event can help reset that mental fatigue. A team-building activity like a mini-golf outing, an escape room challenge, or a wellness class can wrap up things with a flourish!
Even a casual meet-up at a local park, a pizza lunch, or a themed event in the office can improve collaboration and boost team morale. Giving your whole team time to recharge and reset will help them return to work feeling refreshed and ready to take on the next task.
Why we love this appreciation idea for tax day: Fun events encourage team bonding and give employees a much-needed mental break. They also help reduce burnout, which can be a major issue during such a busy period. Work-life balance is key!
Company Spotlight: Baker Tilly
The team in Detroit wrapped up a successful tax season with bowling and drinks! 🎳 🍻
4) Send Positive Messages in Slack or Email
“A little positivity goes a long way.”
Sometimes, a few kind words can make all the difference.
You don’t have to go all out with a party or a gift; a heartfelt message of appreciation in your team’s Slack channel or via email can really elevate their spirits. Highlight individual or specific achievements, share motivational quotes, or even post a funny meme to keep things light.
The point is to let your team members know that their hard work is noticed, especially during stressful times. Recognizing your team’s efforts consistently and providing positive feedback will create a motivating environment.
Why we love this appreciation idea for tax day: It’s an effortless and quick way to boost morale without disrupting workflow. Plus, sending positive messages creates a culture of recognition and helps employees feel appreciated.
5) Plan a Team Meetup for Morning Coffee
“Start their day right with caffeine and connection.”
Starting the day off with a coffee break is more than just about caffeine—it’s about creating an opportunity for your team to socialize, decompress, and connect.
It’s a simple way to break the monotony and create positive energy before the workday begins. During tax season, this activity can be a nice break from the stress of the work day by encouraging employees to visit a local coffee shop for a nice cup of coffee or tea.
Why we love this appreciation idea for tax day: Coffee break meetups are a low-effort, high-impact way to promote employee engagement and give your team the space to relax during an intense season.
Pro-Tip: Send a digital gift card to your remote employees to offer a cup of joe on the company! An easy virtual employee apprecaition idea that remote employees can enjoy at a local Starucks or specialty coffee house.
6) Order Team Swag to Celebrate the End of Tax Season
“Celebrate hard work with a keepsake they’ll cherish.”
Once tax chaos is over, reward your employees with a commemorative end-of-tax season gift to recognize their hard work. Custom team swag—like a t-shirt, a coffee mug, or a water bottle—offers a fun way to celebrate your winning team’s success.
Consider creating a limited-edition “Tax Season Survivor” item to mark the occasion. These items will serve as lasting reminders of their dedication and resilience throughout the season. Perfect for larger teams looking to appreciate employees with a lasting keepsake to mark the occasion!
Why we love this appreciation idea for tax day: Team swag not only rewards staff members but also builds a sense of team pride. Thank your team after tax season in a tangible way, which shows their hard work is seen and is worth celebrating.
Company Spotlight: Capital One
Beth Adams, Chief Tax Officer at Capital One, shared company branded cookies that were provided to employees to celebrate the end of another busy season!
7) Leave a Motivational Note on Their Desk
“A handwritten note can mean more than you think.”
In the age of digital communication, a handwritten note can make a substantial positive impact. A simple, personalized message left on a staff member’s desk can be a warm gesture that shows genuine appreciation.
Grab a pen and a nice piece of stationery, collect your thoughts, and get writing! It’s quick, free, and, if done right, can brighten their day.
Why we love this appreciation idea for tax day: A note filled with motivational words can help deliver just a little bit more for your hardworking staff members! It’s an authentic gesture that makes employees feel seen, which can be a big boost during the busy season.
Here is a little humor to get you through tax season!
8) Send Out a Quick Survey to Learn How to Support Your Team
“Ask them how they want to be appreciated—you might be surprised.”
Not all employees appreciate the same things. While some may love receiving gifts or monetary rewards, others might value flexible work hours, a half day, or additional paid time off.
A quick survey allows employees to express their preferences and provides insight into how you can show staff appreciation in ways that matter to them. This is a great way to improve your employee recognition program and ensure you are supporting your team in a way that truly resonates with them.
Why we love this appreciation idea for tax day: It makes employees feel heard and valued. Taking the time to tailor your appreciation efforts to their needs strengthens the bond between leaders and employees, which can lead to greater job satisfaction and improved employee retention.
Pro-Tip: Don’t forget to work in tiny activities that don’t need to require a ton of planning. A simple walk outside or a coffee break in the office kitchen can be a good positive disrupter and stress reliever.
Here are a few more tips from CPA Lory Hartmann-Kelly:
9) Plan a Team Happy Hour
“Toast to your team’s success!”
SnackNation citizens enjoying a wine tasting in Malibu, CA
After surviving the tax season crunch, a team happy hour is the perfect way to unwind. Whether it’s an office tax season party or a virtual happy hour, this celebration allows your team to relax and reflect on all they’ve accomplished.
A casual environment lets everyone mingle, have fun, and enjoy each other’s company outside of work tasks. Celebrate Tax Day with a well-earned toast to a job well done!
Why we love this appreciation idea for tax day: A happy hour is a great way to close out a challenging season with a celebratory tone. It’s an opportunity to connect outside of work and relationships and create positive energy that lasts beyond tax season.
Company Spotlight: BDO USA
BDO USA Houston celebrated their interns with a tax department happy hour at a local restaurant. Tax season takes a lot of hands, so a thank you event at the culmination of a busy work sprint can make a true impact on employees at all levels of your organization.
10) Send a Written Thank-You to Your Tax and Accounting Team
“Show the backbone of tax season how much they’re appreciated.”
Our accounting and tax professionals are the unsung heroes of tax season, working tirelessly behind the scenes. The long hours and precision they dedicate often go unnoticed, but a handwritten thank-you message can make all the difference.
Taking the time to express gratitude and show your appreciation for their hard work doesn’t go unrecognized. This simple gesture will have a significant impact on their morale, reinforcing the value of their contribution to your team.
Why we love this appreciation idea for tax day: A personalized note goes a long way in building stronger team relationships while cultivating a culture of recognition—especially when your accounting team has gone above and beyond during such a demanding season.
Conclusion
Tax season is tough, but it also presents an opportunity to reward your employees in meaningful ways.
You might think that your employees expect their compensation to speak for their value, but showing your team appreciation during tax season can make a huge difference.
A small token of gratitude can improve team engagement, boost job satisfaction, and help create a supportive work environment beyond tax season’s grind.
These appreciation ideas can include a thank-you gift, a team event, or a heartfelt note.
These small gestures go a long way in boosting employee morale, job satisfaction, and employee retention. We hope this guide can help you implement tax day appreciation ideas for your employees and foster a culture of recognition that will resonate throughout the year.
