Frequently Asked Questions

Bring your most recent tax return, any W-2s or 1099s, a profit and loss statement if you have one, and a list of questions or concerns. If you're a business owner, it's helpful to also bring your QuickBooks login or recent bank statements so we can get a clear picture of where things stand.

Yes, absolutely. Your first meeting is a no-obligation conversation where we learn about your situation and you learn about how we work. There's no pressure and no hidden fees. We want you to feel confident before committing to anything.

The transition usually takes one to two weeks. We handle the process of requesting your prior-year returns and records from your previous firm. Most clients are fully onboarded and set up in our system within 10 business days.

We work with both. While a large portion of our clients are small and mid-size businesses, we also prepare individual tax returns and provide personal financial planning. Many of our business clients have us handle their personal returns as well.

We're certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors and work extensively with QuickBooks Online and Desktop. We also support Xero, FreshBooks, and Wave. If you're not currently using any software, we'll recommend the best fit for your business size and needs.

Once you're onboarded as a client, we'll send you login credentials for our secure portal where you can upload documents, view your returns, and communicate with your advisor. You can access it anytime from the "Client Portal" link at the top of our website.

Ideally, tax planning is a year-round effort. However, at a minimum you should start gathering documents and reviewing your financial situation by early January. The earlier we begin, the more time we have to identify deductions and ensure nothing is missed before filing deadlines.

The IRS generally recommends keeping tax records for at least three years from the date you filed. However, we advise business clients to retain most financial records for seven years. Records related to property, assets, or employee documentation should be kept even longer in some cases.

Yes, and you're not alone. We've helped many clients get caught up on multiple years of unfiled returns. We'll work with you to reconstruct records, file the missing returns, and negotiate with the IRS if penalties have accrued. The important thing is to start the process.

Absolutely. IRS representation is one of our core services. If you receive a notice or are selected for an audit, we'll review the correspondence, prepare the necessary documentation, and represent you directly with the IRS so you don't have to deal with it alone.

A CPA (Certified Public Accountant) has passed a rigorous national exam, meets ongoing education requirements, and is licensed by the state. While any tax preparer can file a return, a CPA can represent you before the IRS, provide audit support, and offer strategic financial advice backed by a higher standard of expertise.

If you're self-employed or your business doesn't withhold enough tax, the IRS requires you to make estimated payments four times a year. We calculate your estimated liability based on projected income and help you set up a schedule so you avoid underpayment penalties at year-end.

Pricing depends on the complexity of your situation and the services you need. Individual returns typically start at $250, and business returns start at $500. We provide a clear quote before we begin any work so there are no surprises on your invoice.

For most tax preparation and recurring services like bookkeeping and payroll, we use flat-fee pricing so you know exactly what to expect. For consulting and advisory work that varies in scope, we bill hourly and always provide an estimate upfront.

For tax preparation, payment is due when your return is completed and ready for filing. Monthly services like bookkeeping and payroll are billed at the beginning of each month. We accept checks, credit cards, and ACH transfers through our online payment portal.

Yes, for larger engagements or clients who need flexibility, we can arrange a payment plan. Just let us know during your consultation and we'll work out terms that fit your cash flow. We want cost to never be a barrier to getting the help you need.

We reconcile accounts on a monthly basis for most clients. This ensures your financial records are accurate, up-to-date, and ready for reporting or tax preparation at any time. Some clients with higher transaction volumes opt for weekly or bi-weekly reconciliation.

Yes, we manage payroll for businesses with employees in multiple states. We handle the varying state tax withholding requirements, unemployment filings, and compliance rules so you don't have to track different regulations across jurisdictions.

You'll receive detailed pay summaries each period, along with quarterly tax liability reports and year-end summaries. We also provide reports on labor costs by department or job code if your business needs that level of detail for budgeting or project tracking.

Yes, we handle the preparation and filing of all W-2s for employees and 1099s for independent contractors as part of our payroll service. We ensure they're filed accurately and on time, and we distribute copies to your workers before the January 31 deadline.