Personal Returns
I charge an hourly rate for all work necessary to complete the task for which you engage me. My minimum fee is $220. For that, I will prepare and file a basic Form 1040 with Schedules 1 – 3, including Schedule A and forms for children. A very basic Schedule B is also included, if necessary.
Several factors affect the price of your return: complexity, responsiveness to requests for information and supplying most or all information at the same time. For instance, a return that contains wages and credits for children will generally be less time-consuming and expensive than one which contains rental or business income. No matter how complex the return, supplying all (or substantially all) information at the same time allows me to work more efficiently and reduce the time spent. Clients who require more regular meetings to discuss their tax return can expect to pay more than those who do not.
For clients who can wear a face-mask but choose not to do so during our meetings, I am happy to mail returns for an additional charge of $120.00 (Priority Mail) or $138.85 (Priority Mail Express).
I do NOT charge an additional fee for an expedited return. Instead, I prepare returns in the order all information is received. I have strict deadlines on when information must be received to ensure timely filing. Details are in my annual tax package mailed to clients each January.
Business Returns and Bookkeeping
Prices will depend on how good your records are and how well you respond to requests for additional information. Business returns, or personal returns with a Schedule C that requires bookkeeping, start at $575.
Regular monthly bookkeeping and payroll is billed at an agreed monthly fee, dependent upon the number of transactions and the extent of the work required.
County property tax returns are $50 per form if I do monthly or quarterly bookkeeping and $250 per form otherwise.
Tax Planning and Representation
I am happy to discuss basic tax planning as part of the return preparation process and it is part of your preparation fee. More detailed or extensive planning costs $130 per hour.
If you get a letter from the IRS or state taxing agency, I am happy to deal with it for you. The charge is $160 per hour, billed monthly. If you are a new client, I require a retainer, which reflects the complexity of the work and the anticipated time it will take to resolve the issue.
As an Enrolled Agent, I have an unrestricted right to represent you before all levels of the Internal Revenue Service. The only thing I cannot do is represent you in the US Tax Court or US District Court. Hopefully, it never gets that far….
Prices last updated October 18th, 2021
