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Our tax return preparation process:

While this is our basic general process for our firm to be virtual, we can be flexible and modify this as your situation requires.  We want this to be secure, convenient, and efficient, no matter where you are located.  For security purposes, any confidential documents sent to us should be sent using our secure document transfer system explained below, or at the very least, you should password-protect the pdf before you attach it to your email. 

1. For new clients, first schedule an appointment with us.  Send us an email detailing your needs and we can schedule a phone consultation if necessary to go over your situation at a time that is convenient for you.

2.  For existing clients, at the beginning of filing season (late December or early January), you will receive an email from us with your tax organizer and engagement letter, which will help remind you of the documents required from last year.  You will use our secure document transfer system when possible whenever we are exchanging documents.  This requires an electronic copy of your documents, so scanning or printing as a pdf document, or sending Word/Excel files will be required, and even pictures of documents from your cell phone if they are clear and legible.  You can also mail hard copies of your documents to us, at the business PO box 1292 listed above, if necessary, but we ask that you send us an email detailing what and when you mailed documents to us, so that we can confirm their receipt.  This takes a little longer, and you are responsible for getting the documents to us. 

3. As a new client, once we are in agreement and plan to move forward in working together, you will get an email invite to our secure cloud-based document transfer system.  You will receive a tax organizer and/or list of questions to answer to get started, as well as an engagement letter for you to sign and return.  We also request copies of 1 or 2 of your most recent prior year returns, as we prefer to review your prior year tax return for consistency and accuracy whenever possible, and to help to determine your current filing needs.

4.  After you gather and upload all of your tax documents and return the signed engagement letter, completed tax organizer or list of questions from us, via our secure document transfer system, we will review your documents and information, (including your prior year returns if you are a new client), and follow up with you regarding any questions we may have or further information that may be needed.  We will be primarily contacting you via email and/or phone call.

5. We will let you know your expected turnaround time once we have received all of your documents and information needed for the preparation.  Once we receive all of your information, general preparation takes between 5 - 10 business days, depending on the complexity of your situation and date we received all of your info. 

6. Returns with info sent in to us after about mid March (mid February for businesses) will generally have to be extended, depending on workload, to ensure enough time to complete, as returns are prepared in the order they come in.  If needed, this extension form is due by 4/15 for individual Form 1040s and regular Corporation returns and will give you an additional 6 months, until 10/15, to file the completed return.  For other business returns, the due date for Partnerships and S-corps is 3/15, so they will be extended earlier.  Any tax liability owed to the IRS with the return is due by 4/15 and should be paid with your extension. We can file this extension for you.  We will complete as many returns before the original 4/15 due date as possible. 

7. Once the return preparation is complete, we will send you a draft copy to review, the E-file Authorization page for your signature (Form 8879), as well as an invoice for our services.  Once you review your draft return, we can go over any final questions you may have.  If you are in agreement with the return, you will sign the E-file signature page that authorizes us to E-file your return for you, and return it to us via the secure document transfer system, or you can mail it to us, along with payment of the invoice for our services. 

8. Once we receive your signed E-file authorization and payment for our services, we will submit your return to the IRS and electronically file your tax return.  A final copy of the return for your records, along with any original hardcopies of any documents you provided will be returned to you.