FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TAX PREPARATION:
- How much do you charge:
$160 to start for 1040 forms (This is for just W2 income and dependents)
- Additional forms such as 1099-Interest, 1099-R, 1099-G are $5 per form additional
- Rental Homes are additional fees
- 1099-Broker Statements for Stocks depends on amount of stock transactions. Your preparer will let you know up front.
$220 to start for 1040 forms + Schedule A (Itemized form with a home)
- Additional forms such as 1099-Interest, 1099-R, 1099-G are $5 per form additional
- Rental Homes are additional fees
- 1099-Broker Statements for Stocks depends on amount of stock transactions. Your preparer will let you know up front.
$350 to start for Schedule C / Self Employment such as janitorial, housekeepers, babysitting /Gig Work such as uber, doordash, grubhub, etc.
- Additional forms such as 1099-Interest, 1099-R, 1099-G are $5 per form additional
- Rental Homes are additional fees
- 1099-Broker Statements for Stocks depends on amount of stock transactions. Your preparer will let you know up front.
2. What do I need to bring to my tax appointment?
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3. How long does it take to complete my taxes?
Generally, returns are completed during your initial appointment of about 30 minutes to 1 hour. Sometimes, we find additional information is required and will send you home to obtain additional information and reschedule to finish.
4. How long does it take to get my refund?
The IRS used to publish a list of dates correlating filing dates with refunds. For a variety of reasons, this has changed. Starting in 2017, by law, the IRS cannot process refunds for people who claim the child tax credit or the earned income credit until February 15 at the earliest. This can mean the actual refunds are delayed until February 27 or later. For persons not claiming these credits, the IRS is stating that roughly 90% of filers with refunds will receive them in 21 days or less. You can track your refund once it is accepted by the IRS using the “Where’s My Refund?” tracker on the IRS website or the IRS2Go app for your smartphone.
5. What is the best way to communicate with my tax preparer?
During filing season, preparers are usually tightly scheduled with little time between appointments, therefore, in this time period, it is generally best to communicate through the administrative staff. Some preparers are busier than others (Sandra Peccorini tends to be the most tightly scheduled) and will have difficulty returning phone calls directly during generally accepted calling times. Email can be a very effective way to communicate. Do not be afraid to ask detailed questions of the administrative staff; if they cannot give you the answer, they will track it down, even if they have to ask the preparer while they are grabbing a quick bite to eat or walking past them.
6. Do you always efile returns?
99% of tax returns are always efiled. The other 1% does not due to being past an efile deadline or having been rejected electronically for any reason. At which point we must paperfile.
7. When is my return filed?
We transmit your return when we have all required documentation and the return is completed. Your return is not considered completed until payment is received or other arrangement is made, such as a Bank product to pay your fees from your refund. The required documentation that must be signed and returned to us includes: the engagement letter, our due diligence forms, and the “Authorization to Electronically File” Form 8879. We will also require any supporting documents needed to claim a refundable credit, such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or the American Opportunity Credit.
8. Can I get a copy of my return later?
Yes! We always provide a complimentary copy at the time of Tax Preparation. Any additional copies are provided with a fee of $20.00.
9. How long should I keep my tax records?
We suggest 5 years! Our office however is only required to keep them for 3 and then we shred them.
10. What should I do if I receive a notice from the IRS or CA FTB?
Contact our office for an appointment to get the letter reviewed at 209-565-5262.
11. Can you help me file for back taxes, many years back?
Yes! Contact our office for an appointment at 209-565-5262.
12. Do you work by appointments only?
Yes! Contact our office for an appointment at 209-565-5262.
13. Can you help file taxes for other states?
Yes! Contact our office for an appointment at 209-565-5262.