Accounting and Tax Services in Columbia, MD

There isn't one honest average, because the work varies so much. A single W-2 return is a different job from a household with rentals, a side business and foreign accounts, and both are different from a contractor with three entities. Tax resolution is priced separately since it involves transcript analysis, financial statements and IRS contact. We scope the work after a first conversation and put it in writing before we start.

An Enrolled Agent holds a federal license from the U.S. Treasury, which allows representation before the IRS on any federal tax issue, anywhere in the country. In practice, that means once you sign Form 2848, we can call the IRS for you, answer an audit, request a payment plan or file an appeal, so you don't have to sit on hold or decode the letters yourself.

Yes. First we find out which years are actually missing, then we gather W-2s, 1099s and expense records, and request IRS wage and income transcripts to fill gaps. If the IRS already filed a substitute return for you, the real return usually lowers the balance. Catching up is also what opens the door to payment plans and other relief.

Many Columbia businesses work for federal agencies, and the accounting rules for that work are strict. We set up indirect rate structures, prepare contractors for DCAA audits, handle incurred cost submissions and keep timekeeping and job costing in line with FAR and CAS. The founder came up through federal contracting finance and is a member of NCMA, so this is core work for us, not a side offering.

Often, yes, but timing matters. The IRS sends a final notice of intent to levy before it acts, and responding within that window preserves your appeal rights. If a levy has already hit, we contact the IRS, find out what it will take to release it, and put an alternative in place, which might be getting returns filed, setting up a payment plan, or documenting hardship.

It's an IRS program that lets some taxpayers settle for less than the full balance. The IRS works out what it could reasonably collect from your income and assets, and if that's less than the debt, an offer may work. Most people who see the ads don't qualify, so we run that calculation before you spend money on an application.

Usually. Depending on the balance, a streamlined installment agreement may not even require a full financial statement. Larger balances need more documentation. Either way, interest keeps running until the balance is paid, and you'll need to stay current on new returns and payments or the agreement can default.

Every IRS letter you have, your last few returns, and proof of any payments. If you owe money, add recent bank statements, pay stubs, a list of monthly bills, and for a business, a current profit and loss and balance sheet. Don't worry if it's incomplete. Part of our job is figuring out what's missing.