I've prepared nearly every kind of tax return there is to prepare: income, franchise, sales, excise, rent, fiduciary, exempt organization, estate, trust, gift, payroll, cafeteria plan returns, property tax, stock transfer tax and exempt organization applications.
I've used a good many tax return programs, most recently Intuit ProConnect Tax, but also Turbo Tax, Pro System, Form 990 Online, Ultra Tax, Fast Tax, Lacerte, Drake, et al.
My tax preparation work has been characterized by a high degree of accuracy. Perhaps because I've been so conscientious about preparing and filing accurate returns, no Taxing Authority has audited or notified my client of return preparation errors I made in more than twenty-five years.
My other priority when preparing a tax return has been to take advantage of every deduction and tax savings available to my client. As a rule I gave the benefit of any doubt as to whether something is taxable or not to the client.
To better serve my clients I helped them with year-end and multi-year tax planning. This helped improve the accuracy of tax returns I prepared and filed for them. It also helped identify opportunities to save them tax dollars, in plenty of time to make changes for the year to their benefit.
When I assist you with tax planning, it can take the form of, for example:
* a projection relating to your tax return liability for the year;
* a comparison of what your tax liability will be if you organize, for example, as a corporation vs. a partnership, or as a sole proprietorship vs. a LLC;
* what you and your heirs or charitable beneficiaries will pay in taxes if you create a trust for their benefit;
* what you'll pay in taxes if you sell your business.
This service also includes troubleshooting a tax liability (such as when you receive a government notice and need an effective response), improved accounting and record-keeping relating to any taxes you have to pay.
When communicating with you about your tax returns, I'd make sure to look at the situation from your point of view. I'll make every request as clear as possible, and free of tax jargon. I'll take the same approach when discussing your tax return draft with you.
As for determining an appropriate fee, I'd give you an option: either pay me by the hour, or a flat fee based on their tax situation. I'd charge you no more that what you're able and willing to pay. If your situation is complicated or unusual enough, I'd charge you more. However I would tell you at the onset that preparing and filing your returns could very well cost more than what you're used to paying.