Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an Enrolled Agent? An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a federally licensed tax practitioner who has technical expertise in the field of taxation and is empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers for audits, collections, and appeals before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service. Due to the expertise necessary to become an Enrolled Agent and the requirements to maintain the license, there are only about 40,000 practicing enrolled agents. This leaves about 2,900 households per EA. 2. Is my information secure? Yes. All files are maintained in locked files in an alarm monitored room. All electronic client data is secured on an in house server and never leave the local network. Wireless access is secured using the latest WPA2 security standards. 3. How much do you charge? The average tax return ranges from $300-$600 before any discounts are applied. The more complicated your tax return is, the more time it takes to file, and so the higher the cost. Business and partnership returns start at $450/year and go up as the number of transactions and number of employees increases. 4. Do you accept referrals? Yes, referring a friend or family member is the greatest compliment we can receive. 5. What do I need to bring to my appointment? I suggest you print a copy of the "Client Tax Organizer" listed under the "Info Center" tab. You must bring a social security card and know the birth dates for each individual on the return. You will need any statements of income, interest paid, interest earned, deductions, miles traveled and expenses for business, and anything else you think you might need. Please also see our info Center page for copies of common tax forms. 6. Do I need to come or can I mail you my info? If this is your first time having us prepare your taxes, it is advisable that you come in, but it is not necessary. We can prepare your taxes from information emailed or faxed to us. But we require your signature/payment before your return will be e-filed. 7. Does my spouse need to come to the appointment? No, however, his/her signature will need to be provided on certain forms before the returns can be filed. This can also be done by fax. 8. What forms of payment do you accept? We accept all major credit cards as well as personal checks and cash. 9. Who actually prepares my return? Unlike large CPA firms where an intern or staff accountant prepares the return, all tax preparation is performed by an Enrolled Agent or reviewed before filing by an Enrolled Agent.
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