Tax Planning and Preparation in Jacksonville, FL

It tracks complexity. A single W-2 return is quick. Add a business, rental property, investments, income from several states, foreign accounts or a few years of missed filings and the work multiplies. Floridians at least skip a state personal income tax return, but businesses still have federal and Florida corporate or sales tax obligations to account for. Any quote should spell out which returns and forms are included, and whether planning or IRS representation costs extra. The cheapest option often isn't when a mistake triggers a notice later.

Ask three questions. Who will actually prepare and review my return? What happens if the IRS sends a letter after filing? Can you represent me, or will I be on my own? Beyond that, look for a credential that fits your situation and real experience with your kind of income, whether that's a small business, rental properties or contract work. A preparer who can't explain your own return to you is a warning sign.

A CPA is licensed by a state board of accountancy and may offer tax, audit and accounting services. "Tax preparer" can mean almost anyone; many have no credential and limited rights to speak with the IRS for you. An Enrolled Agent is licensed federally by the U.S. Treasury, specializes in tax and has unlimited practice rights before the IRS. Our founder is an Enrolled Agent; we aren't a CPA practice. Pick based on what your situation actually needs.

Before the decision, not after the year ends. Business owners should look at projected income, payroll, big purchases and estimated payments a few times a year. Individuals get the most out of planning around life changes: starting a side business, selling a property, taking a retirement distribution, moving to Florida from a state with income tax, or taking on work overseas. Planning in October leaves far more room than planning in March.

Yes, and it's more common than you'd think. We figure out which years are missing, pull IRS wage and income transcripts to fill gaps in your records, and check for notices or balances already on the account. Then we prepare the returns in a sensible order. Filing late returns affects penalties, collections and which resolution options open up, so we handle it as one coordinated plan rather than a stack of separate filings.

Yes. Our founder is an Enrolled Agent, federally licensed with unlimited practice rights before the IRS. With your signed Form 2848, we can handle audits, collection notices, appeals, payment plans and penalty relief requests for you. No one can promise how the IRS will decide, but you'll have a professional managing the case and the paperwork instead of handling calls yourself.

Last year's return, photo ID, W-2s and 1099s, records of estimated payments, and paperwork for deductions and credits: mortgage interest, childcare, charitable gifts, education. Investors and landlords should bring brokerage statements and rental income and expense records. Business owners need a profit and loss, balance sheet and payroll reports. If the IRS has written to you, bring every letter, even the ones you haven't opened.

It can. Planning looks at timing of income and expenses, estimated payments, retirement contributions and entity structure while there's still time to adjust. It matters most when income jumps, a business grows, assets are sold or foreign income enters the picture. We work with the actual tax rules and your real numbers; we don't rely on aggressive deductions, and we won't promise a specific savings figure.