Tax • Individual & business returns
Tax Preparation Services
Get federal and state returns prepared by a licensed CPA or enrolled agent. Compare verified pros, see typical pricing up front, and pick the right fit for your situation.
Get help with QuickBooks, bookkeeping, payroll, tax planning, controller support, and CFO advisory from professionals who understand your business needs.
Overview
What a tax preparer actually does
A tax preparer gathers your income documents, deductions, and credits, then files your federal and state returns. CPAs and enrolled agents also represent you before the IRS, advise on planning moves, and review prior-year returns for amendments.
- Prepare and e-file federal + state returns
- Identify deductions and credits you qualify for
- Reconcile 1099s, K-1s, and W-2s
- Calculate quarterly estimated taxes
- Respond to IRS notices on your behalf
- Coordinate with your bookkeeper for clean records
Typical pricing
What this service usually costs
Simple W-2 returns run $220–$400. Self-employed or multi-state returns typically land $450–$900. Business returns (1120-S, 1065) start around $800.
Estimate your tax prep feeRight fit
Who should hire this professional
- Self-employed and 1099 contractors
- Small business owners (LLC, S-corp, partnership)
- Real estate investors with rental income
- Anyone with multi-state income
- Households with RSUs, ISOs, or crypto activity
- Anyone with an IRS notice or back-tax issue
Scope
Services included
Federal & state filing
Form 1040, schedules, and state returns e-filed with the IRS and your state department of revenue.
Deduction review
Itemized vs. standard, home office, vehicle, retirement contributions, and credits you qualify for.
Business returns
S-corp (1120-S), partnership (1065), C-corp (1120), and Schedule C sole proprietor returns.
Quarterly estimates
Safe-harbor calculations and Form 1040-ES vouchers for the year ahead.
Amended returns
1040-X filings to correct prior-year errors or claim missed deductions and credits.
IRS representation
CPAs and EAs can respond to notices, audits, and collection letters on your behalf.
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Before you hire
Questions to ask any candidate
- 1Are you a licensed CPA or enrolled agent? What's your PTIN?
- 2Do you have experience with my situation (self-employed, S-corp, rentals, etc.)?
- 3What's your fee structure — flat fee or hourly?
- 4Will you e-file or paper-file my return?
- 5Do you offer audit support if the IRS questions my return?
- 6How do you handle returns that need to be extended?
Get ready
Documents to prepare
- Prior-year tax return (federal + state)
- W-2s and all 1099s (NEC, MISC, INT, DIV, B, R)
- K-1s from partnerships or S-corps
- 1098 mortgage interest and property tax records
- Brokerage statements and crypto exchange exports
- Receipts for charitable contributions
- Business P&L and balance sheet (if self-employed)
- Childcare expenses with provider EIN
Compare
Related services
Business tax preparation
S-corp, partnership, and C-corp filings handled by CPAs.
Explore this serviceTax planning
Year-round strategy to reduce next year's bill.
Explore this serviceTax resolution
Back taxes, liens, levies, and offers in compromise.
Explore this serviceIRS audit help
Representation for correspondence and field audits.
Explore this serviceQuarterly estimated taxes
Stay current with safe-harbor calcs each quarter.
Explore this serviceFind a tax preparer
Browse verified preparers in our directory.
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FAQ
Common questions
How much does tax preparation cost?
A simple W-2 return runs $220–$400. Self-employed or multi-state returns are typically $450–$900. Business entity returns (S-corp, partnership) start around $800 and scale with complexity.
CPA vs. tax preparer — does it matter?
Any preparer with a PTIN can file your return. CPAs and enrolled agents are also licensed to represent you before the IRS. For self-employed, business owners, or anyone with prior-year issues, the credential matters.
How long does it take?
Most individual returns finish within 1–2 weeks of receiving complete documents. Business returns and complex situations may take 2–4 weeks. File an extension by April 15 if you need more time.
Can my tax preparer also do my bookkeeping?
Many CPA firms offer both. Bundling can lower the total fee and means your books are already reconciled when tax season hits.
What if I get audited?
If a CPA or EA prepared your return, they can respond to the IRS on your behalf. Confirm audit support is included or available as an add-on before you sign an engagement letter.
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Advisor-grade guides
Downloadable ebooks & templates
CPA-ready playbooks and templates you can use today — instant downloads, no signup required.
The Small Business Tax & Profit Playbook
A CPA-ready guide to deductions, quarterly taxes, S-Corp strategy, owner pay, cash flow, and year-round tax planning.
Business Tax Deduction Checklist
A CPA-curated checklist of 80+ business deductions most owners miss — organized by category so you can sweep it before filing.
The Definitive Bookkeeping Cleanup & Recovery Guide
The CPA's step-by-step playbook for diagnosing messy books, reconstructing missing history, and restoring a clean, audit-ready ledger.
The Freelancer Tax Guide
The practical tax playbook for freelancers, contractors, and solo creatives — deductions, quarterly estimates, and self-employment strategies.
The Year-End Tax Planning Guide
The CPA's December playbook — practical strategies to reduce your tax bill before the year closes.
The Premium Bookkeeping Template Pack
Automated dashboards, multi-account reconciliations, and CPA-ready reporting workbooks for serious owners and bookkeepers.
Tax & Bookkeeping Resource Library
Our complete advisor-grade collection — every premium asset an owner needs to run clean books, lower taxes, and recover messy ledgers, in one bundle.