Short answers to the questions we hear most. For depth on any topic, follow the links to our guides.
Working with us
Who do you serve?
Individuals and families, employees, visa holders, freelancers, physicians and other professionals, small and mid-size businesses, startups, investors, nonprofits and estates. See who we serve.
Where are you located, and do you work with clients elsewhere?
Our office is in Naperville, Illinois. We serve Naperville, Aurora and the rest of Chicagoland, and clients in all 50 states. Most work is done securely online or by phone. See our locations and state guides.
How do I get started?
Contact us to schedule a consultation. We will ask about your situation, explain what we would do and what we need from you, and send a written engagement agreement. Work begins after you sign it.
How much do you charge?
Fees depend on the scope of the work, the complexity of your return or books, and the volume of transactions or employees. We set the fee in the written engagement agreement before work begins, so you know the cost in advance.
What should I send you?
We will give you a checklist for your situation after the first conversation. Please do not email Social Security numbers, bank account numbers or ID copies; we will explain how to share documents securely.
Tax preparation and planning
Do you do tax planning, or only prepare returns?
Both. Preparation reports what already happened; planning changes what happens next. See tax planning and individual and business tax preparation.
Can you file in several states?
Yes. We prepare resident, part-year and nonresident state returns, and city and county returns where they apply. See multi-state tax.
Which business structure is best: LLC, S corporation or C corporation?
It depends on your income, owners, growth plans, state and goals. See entity selection and business formation.
IRS and state problems
I received an IRS notice. What should I do?
Do not ignore it. Read it, find the notice code and response date, and look it up in our IRS notices library. We can review it with you, explain your options and respond for you with a power of attorney. Start with IRS help.
Can penalties be removed?
Sometimes. The IRS can reduce or remove certain penalties for reasonable cause or under its first-time abatement policy, but it is not automatic and we cannot promise a result. See penalty relief.
I cannot pay what I owe. Are there options?
Yes, including payment plans, and in limited cases offers in compromise and temporary hold on collection. See tax debt relief options.
Payroll and bookkeeping
What does payroll service include?
Payroll processing, federal and state deposits, quarterly and annual returns, W-2 and 1099-NEC filings, new-hire reporting and, where they apply, city and county payroll taxes. See payroll services.
Do you handle local payroll taxes at the city and county level?
Yes. Many places add city, county or transit taxes on top of state taxes, including parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York and Oregon. See local payroll taxes.
Can you clean up several years of messy books?
Yes. We reconstruct and reconcile books, then keep them current. See bookkeeping.
US-India and international tax
Do you handle US-India tax situations?
Yes, on the U.S. side: FBAR, Form 8938, Indian mutual funds (PFIC), NRE and NRO accounts, property in India, gifts from relatives and foreign tax credits. See Indian CPA and NRI tax.
Do you file Indian tax returns?
Indian filings are governed by Indian law and are generally handled by a Chartered Accountant (CA) in India. We handle the U.S. side and can coordinate with your CA so both filings are consistent. See Indian CPA vs Indian CA.
I forgot to file an FBAR or Form 8938 in earlier years. What now?
Do not ignore it, and do not file anything hastily. The right correction path depends on whether the omission was non-willful and on other facts. Talk to a CPA first. See FBAR and foreign reporting penalties.
General information only, not tax, legal or accounting advice for your situation. Rules, limits and deadlines change; confirm the current rules with the official source or a qualified professional before you act. Reading this page does not create a professional relationship with CPA Tax Payroll and Accounting Corp.