Individual Tax Base Fee Structure

Fees are calculated using a hybrid approach that takes into account the value of the service(s) provided and the professional time spent.

• The goal is to keep our fees reasonable while being compensated for our time and expertise.

• The preparation fee can vary each year based on changes in your tax situation.  Fees can vary from year-to-year depending on your tax situation for the year in question.  

When is the Fee Due? A $250 deposit is required before we begin work on any tax return.   If you decide to discontinue using our services before the tax return is completed, or if you elect not to use the completed return, fees for work performed will still be due.   You can view payment options here.

Extensions:  Prepared at no charge unless an estimate of tax due is required or you have your return prepared elsewhere.  If the latter occurs after we file an extension on your behalf, a $50 fee is due.

Tax Returns

The base fees for tax return preparation cover the usual time required to receive & send information, one to three exchanges regarding open items, preparation of the return,  15 minutes of review (forfeited if not used), and electronic filing (or instructions for paper filing.)  

If issues arise or consulting is needed, you will be notified and directed to schedule a Q&A consultation.  

Base Fees

Note:  The fee for most tax returns will be higher than the base fees below.  

U.S. Resident Returns:

• Form 1040, one full year resident state: $350 ($425 MFJ)

• Foreign Bank Report: Starts at $75 and increases based on the number of accounts and FBARs needed.

U.S. Expatriate Returns:

• Form 1040 with Form 2555:  $400

• Form 1040 with Form 2555 (exclusion of income) & one or two entries on Form 1116 (foreign tax credit): $450+

• Foreign Bank Report: Starts at $75 and increases based on the number of accounts and FBARs needed.

U.S. Nonresident Returns:

• Form 1040NR: $375; with one state $450

• Dual Status Return (first year in the U.S.): $375+

• Dual Status Return (last year in the U.S.): $475+

 Additional Forms

• Schedule B with multiple accounts, foreign tax credits, time spent calculating federal and/or state tax-exempt interest and dividends

• Schedule C for self-employment: Generally starting at $100+  depending on the number and complexity of entries.  

• Schedule D:  Fees depend on the number and complexity of trades or other sales.

• Schedule E for rental income: Generally 100+ per property, unless the HUD has to be reviewed for the property's depreciable basis.

• Schedule F:  Generally 100+ depending on the number and complexity of entries.

• Schedule K-1 income:  50+ (more complex K-1's can be $75-$200 or more.)

• Form 8938 is based on the number of accounts.

• Extra states:  Typically $50-75 each

 Other Factors To Consider

• Multiple revisits to the tax return, especially when the tax organizer was left blank. 

• Married, two earners

• Extra data entry from multiple Forms W-2 and 1099

• Part-year income allocations

• Injured spouse relief

• Vehicle Expenses

• Home Office

• Tax treaty issues

• Moving expenses (based on the new eligibility requirements)

• Dependent care expenses

• Capturing carryovers from prior-year returns for new clients

• Complex items requiring research, additional communication, consulting, etc.

• Having to request information that was left blank on the questionnaire

• Meeting the client to pick up documents ($25 for local clients)

• Mailing documents back to clients (cost of shipping the items back)

• Various other factors

Tax Preparation Fee Includes:     

• Preparation of your tax return, including a few moderate-length emails to gather any additional information.

• Review and discussion of completed tax return (up to 15 minutes; additional time billable)

• Filing a tax extension, unless an estimate is required

• One state return

• Free 15-minute consultation (additional time is billable )

• Free upload of your documents to our secure portal.  

What's NOT Included:

• Time-consuming corrections made after the tax return has been completed due to inaccurate or incomplete information provided by the client.

• Assistance with inquiries, examinations, or audits that are not the result of my error.  If you require consulting or more involved advice, my time is billable at $200 per hour.  You can read more about our tax resolution services for further information.

• Consultations/Advice that exceed the allotted time for your scheduled initial and review consultations.

• Consultations/Advice regarding information that does not pertain to your current year's tax return.  If you would like to discuss matters that are not directly related to your current year's tax return, be sure to schedule a Q&A consultation.

Questions Regarding Tax Return

If you have concerns about the results (refund or tax due), you will have the opportunity to address your concerns during the free 15-minute follow-up appointment.  Be sure to have your questions ready for our scheduled meeting.  Note:  Your return is not final until you sign the e-file authorization forms.  

The following are some specific situations that arise from time to time:

• You believe your tax liability should be lower or that you should receive a higher refund.  

In almost all cases, the tax return is correct based on the information provided.  The amount of refund or tax balance due reflects any overpayment or underpayment during the tax year and is often not consistent from year to year.  Changes that could change your tax outcome from the prior year include tax law changes, an increase of income for which you did not have sufficient withholding, a higher tax bracket, change of job, multiple jobs, you got married and your spouse works, and you had additional income from dividends or capital gains, retirement distributions, etc.   While we always look for every legal tax benefit you are entitled to, if you are still unhappy about the final result, you can choose not to use the tax return that I prepared for you.  Be aware though that the fee for my services would still be due in this case. 

• You have a tax liability due to the federal and/or state and you want to better understand your payment options.  

It is important that you complete the tax organizer to ensure that you have provided all relevant documents and/or information.  If you do not have the funds to pay your tax liability, you can: (1) file your tax return and set up an installment plan for the full balance, or (2) make a partial payment and set up an installment plan for the remaining amount.  These options help you to avoid interest and penalties.

• You decide that you no longer want to retain our services

You are certainly welcome to discontinue our services at any time.  We like to provide quality services to our clients; however, we understand that miscommunications happen.  If you decide to terminate services, you are still responsible for remitting payment for any work completed.