Tax preparation services are offered year-round, by appointment only. My services include electronic filing (through the October 15 efile deadline), penalty and interest guarantee on any preparation error, and backup of your tax data for six years. Areas of specialty include individual, nonresident alien, multiple states, gift and fiduciary (estates and trusts) tax returns. In addition to tax preparation, I offer consultations and audit representation, most occurring after/before the tax season.
My prices are considered reasonable without sacrificing accuracy or quality, and you can be assured that I stand by my tax preparation services. Even in a situation in which I would explain that something you want to deduct is not deductible, you can have confidence that your tax return will be prepared as to give you the lowest legal tax liability. I offer penalty and interest guarantee if the IRS or state tax authority assesses any deficiency due to preparer error. You can contact me throughout the year for follow-up questions and general tax advice. (And most importantly, a complimentary cup of coffee or spring water while we meet!)
Haven't filed past tax returns?
While it is important to timely file a tax return (by the due date or with an extension) if you are required to do so, there is no late penalty if you are due a refund. However, there is a three-year statute of limitations in claiming a refund (or two years after the tax has been paid, whichever is later) on an original or amended return. On the other hand, if you haven't filed, the IRS can require you to file any unfiled years and be subject to penalty and interest on any balances due.
Advice:
- Always file your tax return, even if you owe. The penalty is greater on the nonfiling than on the underpayment.
- If you haven't file a return when you were required to do so, best to bite the bullet and do so now, rather than worry if the IRS will contact you.
- Keep your tax return for three years; six years if you may have underreported income; keep records concerning stock purchases and business purchases as long as the assets are still owned.
Offered primarily during the 'offseason,' i.e., the summer and fall. Starting a business and need a little help with understanding how to make estimated tax payments or what expenses are deductible? Need advice on adjusting your W-4 withholding because of increased income? First-time homebuyer or starting to rent out part of your home? Consultation fees are $35/half hour, $20 additional half-hours. A 30-60 minute consultation is sufficient in most cases. If you were referred by a current client and only have a couple straight-forward questions, this is provided on a complimentary basis and can be done via email or phone.
As an enrolled agent, this is a category of tax professional authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS, such as when the taxpayer has been selected for an audit. If you have received a CP notice (means computer paragraph) see consultation services. Most IRS letters are notices such as CP2000 correcting what was reported or not reported on your tax return, or requesting further information.
Otherwise, if you have received a notice that you are being audited and scheduled for an appointment with an IRS examiner, my fees for audit representation will be $40 per hour for any research, document compilation and preparation time necessary to prepare a proper representation for you, of which I will provide you an estimate beforehand. Representation during the office examination is charged at a $50 hourly rate (in half-hour increments). A two-hour retainer is required beforehand. You will need to sign a Power of Attorney form, authorizing me to represent you in the specified tax matter, which also allows you not to have to attend the office examination if I advise or you so choose.
Electronic Federal Tax Payment System is the online system with the IRS in which individual and business taxpayers can schedule automatic payments of their tax liabilities. For instance, this is beneficial for a self-employed taxpayer to set up the quarterly estimated tax payments and avoid possible penalties if forgetting to mail in a payment. My fee is a one-time $40 for setting up a client in the EFTPS and determining an appropriate payment amount, of which I will also notify you by email throughout each year before each payment is debited. A signed Power of Attorney form is required.
Finally, if facing a large tax balance due, two options which can help taxpayers deal with that situation would be an installment agreement request or an offer in compromise (OIC). The first option cuts the late payment interest rate in half and allows the taxpayer to make scheduled periodic payments. The IRS must accept this agreement if you cannot pay the balance due in full, the balance is not over $10,000, and will be paid in three years or less. There is a user fee added to the agreement. My fee for preparation of an installment agreement request for non-tax clients is $40, which also can be set up for online payments with the IRS (with signed Power of Attorney form).
An OIC is more complex, based on one of three arguments (doubt as to liability, doubt as to collectibility, or effective tax administration). The last two arguments requires three months' documentation of your expenses and income. An OIC requires a payment and $150 application fee to be submitted with the offer. There are numerous advertisements from companies claiming they can reduce your liability to pennies on the dollar. If it sound too good to be true... However, it is possible to substantially reduce your tax obligation if you meet the proper qualifications and provide the necessary documents. More information is here. My fee for preparing an OIC and follow-up correspondence is $600.
For these additional services, an engagement letter will be signed outlining the services provided, fees, and responsibilities of both myself as the tax practitioner and you as the client.