|

Foreign Nationals
U.S. Expatriates
Regular Individual
Self-Employed
Models
Business Returns

Tax Planning
Audit Assistance
Corporation Formation
| |
Fee Policy
Tax Returns
I generally charge flat rates for tax returns
based on complexity. The rates are set to fairly compensate me for time
spent, so they will increase if it is necessary to spend extra time. See below
for factors that will increase the fee.
The tax
preparation fee includes:
-
Complete preparation, review and filing of your tax return.
-
Quick questions on tax topics by email year-round. Generally, “quick” means
something I can answer in 5 minutes or less.
-
Fifteen minute office visit to review the completed return, if desired.
-
Filing a tax extension, if needed.
-
Correction of any error that my office makes that is not discovered during
the thorough review process.
The tax
preparation fee does not include:
-
Corrections needed to be made later that are the result of inaccurate or
incomplete information provided by the client.
-
Assistance with inquiries, examinations or audits of any kind by any tax
authority. This service is available but is billable at $200 per hour.
However, you may ask me quick questions at no charge. For example, if you
email or fax me a letter that you received, I will give it a quick look over
for free.
-
An education on the tax law. I will explain anything relevant to your
return, of course, and I have provided a lot of information under
Tax Guide,
Useful Tax Links, and List of Deductions.
Starting Fees:
Regular 1040 Tax Returns (including one state):
starting at $250
Foreigners
(including one state):
-
Form 1040, NY Resident or other state: starting at $250
-
Form 1040, NY Nonresident: starting at $300
-
Form 1040NR: starting at $325
-
Dual Status Return (first year in U.S.): starting at $325
-
Dual Status Return (last year in U.S.): starting at $425
Americans Abroad: Federal with Form 2555:
starting at $275
Self-Employed (including Schedules C & SE and
one state):
starting at $300
Models (including Schedules C & SE and one state):
starting at $425
Corporations
(including state and city returns, if needed):
Note: The rates will be
more than the minimum if,
-
you need extra state returns (starting at $50),
-
you are married and both of you have income,
-
you have a large amount of information to enter into your tax return, or
-
you have complex state income allocations (this could raise the fee
substantially),
-
you need additional forms (e.g. Schedules C, D, E, Forms 2106, 6251, 1116, TDF
90-22.56, etc.),
-
you want to claim temporary living expenses, home office, vehicle expenses,
-
your return is complex.
The fee could
increase from the initial flat rate (generally by the amount of time spent at
$200 per hour) based on the following factors:
-
You supply additional information after the return has been finalized.
-
Disproportionately high communication time spent (phone calls, emails,
etc.).
-
Having to ask many relevant questions that were left blank on the
questionnaire.
-
The return turns out to be more complex than originally anticipated.
-
Various other factors.
Other
Services
The
following are billable at $200 per hour (minimum billing $50 for 15 minutes):
• Federal,
state or local tax audit, examination or inquiry help.
• Writing
letters.
• Consulting.
• Tax
planning or projections.
• Accounting
services such as write-ups, help setting up books, consulting regarding
accounting issues.
The
following is billable at $100 per hour:
•
Bookkeeping.
Fee Quotes:
I always try to be fair and I won’t deliberately
overcharge you. Hopefully the preceding information is sufficient that you
won't need an upfront fee quote, but if you really need to a more concrete idea
of my fee before I start work on your return, please gather all of your
tax information together, fill out the questionnaire that best describes your situation (Regular, Foreigner,
American Abroad, etc.), and email or fax me your tax documents. In the Other
Info section at the end of the questionnaire, please write in bold letters "NEED
FEE QUOTE" and I will get back to you with an estimate before working on your
return. Thank you.
|