Frequently Asked Questions

Ideally, you should start gathering your documents in January and February as W-2s, 1099s, mortgage statements, and other forms arrive. The earlier you’re ready, the more time we have to:

• Identify missing forms or issues before the deadline.
• Talk through strategies to lower your tax bill.
• Avoid last-minute stress and potential penalties.

If you’re not sure what you need, we can send you a personalized checklist.

It depends on your situation, but in general you’ll want to gather:

• W-2s, 1099s (NEC, INT, DIV, B, K-1, etc.)
• Mortgage interest and property tax statements
• Health insurance forms (1095-A, 1095-B/C, if applicable)
• Records for childcare, education, and major medical expenses
• Business income and expenses if you’re self-employed
• Real estate transactions, investment activity, and crypto trades

We’ll help you sort through what’s relevant and what isn’t, so don’t stress if you’re unsure — just bring what you have.

To check the status of your federal refund, make sure you have the following:

• Your (and your spouse’s, if filing jointly) Social Security number.
• Your filing status: Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, or Head of Household.
• The exact amount of your federal refund (you’ll find this on the copy of your tax return we provided).

Once you have this information, use the IRS “Where’s My Refund?” tool:
Check your refund status here

Most refunds are issued within 21 days, but certain returns (like those with Earned Income Credit or identity verification) can take longer.

Don’t ignore it. File on time to avoid the larger “failure to file” penalties, then we can help you:

• Set up an IRS payment plan (installment agreement).
• Explore short-term extensions or hardship options.
• Review whether penalties can be reduced or abated.

The worst thing you can do is avoid filing. It almost always costs more in the long run.

Setting up your secure client portal is simple. Here’s a step-by-step overview:

1. Check your email for an invitation from our office with the portal link.
2. Click the link and create your username and password.
3. Confirm your account using the verification code or link in your email.
4. Log in and complete your profile (basic contact details, etc.).
5. Use the Upload or Documents section to send us your tax files.

We also provide a full, click-by-click tutorial with screenshots:
Step-by-step Client Portal setup guide »

If you get stuck at any step, contact us and we’ll walk you through it.

Yes. Your portal is encrypted and specifically designed for securely exchanging tax and financial documents. It’s much safer than sending sensitive information by regular email.

We strongly recommend using the portal instead of email for anything that contains Social Security numbers, bank information, or other private data.

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” (often shortened to OBBB) is a major federal tax law signed on July 4, 2025. It builds on the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by making many of those tax cuts permanent and layering in new changes to deductions, credits, and tax brackets. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Highlights for individual taxpayers include:

• Higher standard deduction amounts starting with the 2025 tax year.
• A larger cap on the state and local tax (SALT) deduction for many taxpayers, though the benefit phases out at higher incomes.
• Adjustments to certain credits (like the Child Tax Credit) and new or expanded breaks targeted at families, older adults, and some workers.
• Changes to or phase-outs of several clean-energy-related tax credits and incentives over the next few years.

The rules are complex and not every change helps every taxpayer. The best way to understand how OBBB affects you is to review your specific situation with a tax professional.

For most households, the most impactful pieces of the new law are the ones that change how much of your income is taxed and which deductions you can claim. Key areas to watch include: :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

• Standard deduction increases – Higher standard deduction amounts may mean fewer people itemize, and some will see lower taxable income as a result.
• SALT deduction changes – The cap on state and local tax deductions is higher for many taxpayers, which especially matters in high-tax states, but phases out at higher income levels.
• Child- and family-related credits – Adjustments to the Child Tax Credit and related provisions can change how much support families receive per child.
• Special breaks for certain workers and seniors – Some rules focus on tips, overtime income, or additional deductions for older adults.

We monitor these changes closely and factor them into your planning so you don’t have to memorize all the details.

Good planning under the new rules usually includes:

• Updating your withholdings or estimated tax payments for 2025 and beyond.
• Reviewing whether you’re better off taking the higher standard deduction or itemizing with the revised SALT and other rules.
• Re-evaluating your business structure (sole proprietor vs LLC vs S-Corp) in light of any changes that affect pass-through income and deductions.
• Looking at the timing of big expenses, charitable giving, or real estate moves to make the most of the new law.

These decisions can be very situation-specific, so the smartest move is to sit down with us for a quick planning session before year-end.

If you receive 1099 income (independent contractor, gig work, side hustle), the IRS generally treats you as self-employed. That means:

• You’re responsible for both income tax and self-employment tax.
• You can deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses (mileage, supplies, phone, fees, etc.).
• You may need to make quarterly estimated tax payments to avoid penalties.

We can help you set up simple tracking so that you don’t overpay and you’re ready at tax time.

It depends on your income level, risk exposure, and long-term plans. An LLC can provide legal protection, and an S-Corp election can sometimes reduce self-employment taxes, but it also adds complexity and payroll requirements.

We’ll look at your numbers and walk you through the pros and cons so you can choose a structure that fits your goals — not just a generic one-size-fits-all answer.

First, don’t panic and don’t ignore it. Take a clear picture or scan of the notice (front and back) and send it to us through your client portal.

We’ll help you:

• Understand exactly what the IRS is asking for.
• Verify whether the notice is correct or based on missing information.
• Prepare a response, amendment, or payment plan if needed.

Many IRS letters are fixable — the key is responding correctly and on time.

Yes. We regularly work with clients who are several years behind. We’ll help you:

• Gather wage and income transcripts when you don’t have all your forms.
• Prioritize which years to file first.
• Explore penalty relief, payment plans, or settlement options.

Getting back into compliance is usually easier — and less painful — than most people expect once there’s a clear plan.

If you’re earning business income, good books are not optional — they’re the foundation of:

• Accurate tax returns (and lower risk in an audit).
• Understanding profitability and cash flow.
• Qualifying for loans, lines of credit, or mortgages.

You don’t have to hire a full-time bookkeeper, but you do need a system. We can handle it for you or help you set up something you can maintain yourself.

Yes. We offer full-service payroll, or we can help you choose and set up a payroll platform and then integrate it with your books and tax filings.

The goal is to keep your employees paid correctly and on time, while making sure all payroll tax filings and deposits are handled on schedule.

Yes. We serve clients in multiple states using secure portals, email, phone, and video meetings. State tax rules vary, but we’re experienced with multi-state situations and will guide you through what each state requires.

Getting started is easy:

1. Contact us to schedule a consultation (phone, video, or in-person).
2. We’ll send you a link to set up your secure client portal.
3. Upload your prior-year returns and current-year documents.
4. We review everything and outline next steps, pricing, and timing.

From there, we handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on your life and business.