Small Business Accountants in NYC

It depends almost entirely on scope. Basic bookkeeping and a yearly return cost less than ongoing tax planning, fractional CFO work, payroll tax cleanup or IRS representation. Fees move with transaction volume, entity type, how many returns you file, how clean your records are, and whether there's an urgent IRS problem on the table. Ask any firm, including us, for a written scope before you sign so you know exactly what you're paying for.

For most companies past the startup stage, yes. A good accountant keeps you on top of filing deadlines, catches errors before the IRS does, explains what a notice actually means and gives you a clearer view of cash. The value goes up sharply if you're dealing with back taxes, unfiled returns, a payroll tax balance or an audit, where a misstep can get expensive quickly.

On the accounting side: bookkeeping oversight, monthly statements, budgets, tax planning, return preparation and help with big decisions. On the tax resolution side, which is a large part of our work: IRS debt, missing returns, audits and appeals, installment agreements, payroll tax balances and penalty abatement. For government contractors we also handle DCAA readiness and indirect rate work. The scope should match where your business is now.

Yes. Enrolled Agents are licensed by the U.S. Treasury and have unlimited practice rights before the IRS, which covers audits, collections, appeals and resolution negotiations for any taxpayer in any state. Our founder is an Enrolled Agent and represents business owners and companies across the country, New York included, with a Form 2848 on file.

List every federal return that's missing, from the 1120 or 1065 down to quarterly 941s, and gather the income, expense and payroll records behind each one. The IRS usually wants those filed before it will talk about payment plans or settlements. Each return can change the balance and penalties, so look at the whole picture before filing piecemeal. And keep opening the mail while you catch up.

The IRS lets a business pay a federal balance over time if it qualifies, after reviewing financial statements, filing compliance and the proposed payment. For a company, the agreement has to leave enough cash to keep operating, and new payroll deposits and returns must stay current or the deal can be revoked. Requirements and documents vary by the size of the balance and the type of tax.

It can. When withheld payroll taxes go unpaid, the IRS can assess the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty against the individuals responsible for collecting and paying them who willfully failed to, often owners, officers or whoever signed the checks. That makes Form 941 balances one of the more urgent business tax problems. Dealing with deposits, notices and records early can limit how far the exposure spreads.

Every IRS letter, recent returns, financial statements, bank statements, payroll reports and your bookkeeping file. For a company, add formation documents, receivables and payables, loan details and a current cash position if you have one. The more complete the stack, the faster we can confirm balances and deadlines and lay out your options without guessing.