Tax preparation and planning
I prepare federal and California returns for individuals and S-corporations, and I plan the year ahead so tax is part of the decision, not an afterthought.
Who this is for
W-2 employees with investments, equity compensation or rental property
Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs filing Schedule C
S-corporation owners who want the 1120-S, the K-1 and their personal return prepared together
Real estate investors with rental activity, depreciation and passive-loss questions
What I prepare
- Form 1040 and California Form 540
- Wages, investments, self-employment income (Schedule C and SE), and rental activity (Schedule E).
- Form 1040 / 540
- Form 1120-S and California Form 100S
- S-corporation returns, shareholder K-1s, and the basis and distribution records that support them.
- Form 1120-S / 100S
- Estimated payments
- Quarterly federal and California estimates, set using the prior-year safe harbor or current-year projections.
- IRC §6654
- Extensions
- Form 4868 and Form 7004 when a complete return isn't ready by the deadline, with the payment estimate that goes with it.
- Form 4868 / 7004
What I look at before filing
- Owner compensation
- For S-corporations, whether shareholder wages are reasonable for the work performed (Rev. Rul. 74-44).
- Rev. Rul. 74-44
- The §199A deduction
- Qualified business income, the wage and property limits, and whether the business is a specified service trade or business.
- IRC §199A
- Shareholder basis
- Stock and debt basis under IRC §1366 and §1367, which limits the losses you can deduct and decides whether distributions are taxable.
- IRC §§1366–1367
- Depreciation choices
- Bonus depreciation, §179 and cost segregation, and where California doesn't follow the federal rules.
- IRC §§168, 179
I don't prepare C-corporation (Form 1120) or partnership (Form 1065) returns. If you aren't sure how your business is taxed, say so in your inquiry and I'll confirm whether it's a fit. Returns for other states are reviewed for scope before I accept an engagement.
Questions
What does it cost?+
The fee depends on the return, the condition of the records and what's involved. I set the scope and fee in the engagement letter before any work begins.
What happens after I send an inquiry?+
I reply by email to learn what you need. If it's a fit, you get an engagement letter and the IRC §7216 consent forms to sign, then a secure portal invitation for your documents.
Can I email my documents?+
No. Tax documents go through the secure client portal only.
Withholding Checkup
Compares federal withholding to the estimated tax on your return and suggests a Form W-4 change.Calculator · BUS-021099 Estimated Tax Planner
Quarterly federal and California estimates using the 90%, 100% or 110% safe harbor, with an option for uneven income.Calculator · IND-03Itemize vs. Standard Deduction
Compares itemized deductions with the standard deduction and uses the larger.A question about your return? Ask me.
Send a few sentences. If it fits, you get an engagement letter with the scope and fee, and the IRC §7216 consent forms. Documents go through the secure portal.
Send an inquiry