Specialized Charlotte Tax Consulting & Accounting

A good tax consultant figures out where you actually stand and what to do about it. On the planning side, that's things like entity choice, estimated payments and the tax effect of a big decision. When there's a problem, it means reading the IRS notices, calculating the real liability, preparing missing returns, building the financial statement the IRS will want, and dealing with the IRS directly. Because our founder is an Enrolled Agent, we can also represent you in audits and appeals.

There's no meaningful average, because the jobs are so different. A one hour planning call is not a payroll tax case, a levy release or five years of unfiled returns. Scope depends on how many years are involved, how organized your records are, how urgent the deadline is and whether ongoing IRS contact is needed. Before you hire anyone, ask what's included, what they'll need from you, and whether follow up with the IRS is part of the fee.

A CPA holds a state license and may do financial statement audits, accounting and tax work. "Tax consultant" is a description, not a license, so credentials vary a lot. An Enrolled Agent, which is what our founder is, holds a federal license from the U.S. Treasury focused on tax, with unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. If your issue involves the IRS directly, that representation right is the part to check.

For a simple W-2 return, probably not. When there's real money on the line, though, such as an IRS levy, several unfiled years, a payroll tax balance, a business sale or messy books, an experienced consultant tends to pay for themselves by avoiding mistakes and choosing the right IRS program. Check the person's credentials and make sure they'll actually be the one handling your case.

Yes. Enrolled Agents can represent individuals and businesses in correspondence, office and field audits anywhere in the U.S. We review the information document request, prepare the response, talk with the examiner and, if you disagree with the result, help you decide whether to appeal. Send us every IRS letter as soon as it arrives, since audit deadlines are short.

Call right away. Have the levy notice, your last few returns, recent pay stubs, bank statements and a rough list of monthly bills ready. We'll contact the IRS, see exactly where the account is in collection, and push for the best available path, which might be a payment plan, Currently Not Collectible status, filing missing returns, or a direct release request.

It's possible through an Offer in Compromise, but it's not a routine outcome. The IRS compares your offer with what it believes it could collect from your income and assets over time. Missing returns or a sloppy financial statement will sink an offer fast. We run the calculation before you apply and tell you honestly if a payment plan or hardship status would be the smarter move.

Start with every IRS letter, your recent filed returns, a list of years you haven't filed, and income records (W-2s, 1099s, pay stubs). Add bank statements, any business financials, and details on assets, debts and monthly expenses. Business owners with payroll problems should include the 941s and deposit records. The more complete the file, the faster we can give you a reliable answer.