Question 1

How much does professional tax preparation cost in Carley Brook, PA?

Accepted Answer

Our fees depend on the complexity of your tax situation, but we believe in transparent pricing with no hidden costs. Simple personal returns start at a reasonable base rate, while business returns and tax resolution cases are priced based on the work required. Here's what makes our pricing fair: if you need our tax resolution services after getting a consultation, we credit 100% of your consultation fee toward the resolution work. We also offer payment plans for larger cases because we understand that people with tax problems often have cash flow challenges. Most clients find that our services pay for themselves through the deductions we find, penalties we help avoid, or payment plans we negotiate. The real value isn't just in the money—it's in the peace of mind that comes from having professionals handle your tax obligations correctly.

Question 2

What should I do if I received an IRS notice or letter?

Accepted Answer

Don't panic, but don't ignore it either. IRS notices have deadlines, and missing those deadlines can make your situation much worse. The first thing you should do is read the notice carefully to understand what the IRS is claiming and when you need to respond. Bring the notice to us as soon as possible, along with any relevant tax returns or documentation. We can quickly determine whether the IRS is correct, whether you have grounds to dispute their claims, and what your best options are moving forward. Many IRS notices can be resolved quickly if you respond appropriately and provide the right documentation. However, some notices are the first step in collection action, which means time is critical. The sooner we can review your situation, the more options we typically have to resolve it favorably.

Question 3

Can you help if I haven't filed tax returns for several years?

Accepted Answer

Yes, unfiled tax returns are one of our specialties. The IRS considers failure to file a serious offense, and the penalties add up quickly—but the situation is almost always fixable if you take action. We start by determining which years you're required to file and gathering all the necessary documentation. If you're missing W-2s or 1099s, we can often obtain these directly from the IRS. We then prepare all the back returns and develop a strategy for dealing with any taxes owed. In many cases, people who haven't filed for several years are actually entitled to refunds for some of those years. Even when taxes are owed, we can often negotiate payment plans or penalty abatements that make the resolution affordable. The key is getting compliant quickly and demonstrating good faith to the IRS.

Question 4

How long does it take to resolve IRS tax problems?

Accepted Answer

The timeline depends on the specific type of problem and how quickly you provide the documentation we need. Simple issues like responding to a notice or setting up a payment plan can often be resolved within a few weeks. More complex cases like offers in compromise or penalty abatement requests typically take several months because the IRS has specific processing timeframes. However, we can often get collection activities stopped or delayed while we work on the resolution, which gives you breathing room. The most important factor in timing is how quickly we can get started. The sooner you bring us your case, the sooner we can begin protecting you from further collection action and working toward a resolution. Waiting usually makes the problem more expensive and more complicated to resolve.

Question 5

Do you offer payment plans for your tax resolution services?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we understand that people with tax problems often have cash flow challenges, so we offer flexible payment arrangements for our services. We're not interested in creating additional financial stress for our clients—our goal is to solve problems, not create new ones. For tax resolution cases, we typically require a retainer to get started, but the remaining fees can often be paid over time as we work on your case. We discuss payment options during your initial consultation so there are no surprises. We've found that most clients prefer to spread the cost of resolution services over several months rather than trying to pay everything upfront. This allows you to get the professional help you need immediately while managing your cash flow responsibly.

Question 6

What's the difference between tax preparation and tax resolution services?

Accepted Answer

Tax preparation is what most people think of during tax season—preparing and filing your annual returns. This is preventive care for your taxes, making sure everything is filed correctly and on time to avoid problems with the IRS. Tax resolution services come into play when you already have problems with the IRS—things like unpaid taxes, liens, levies, audits, or unfiled returns. This is more like emergency care, where we need to negotiate with the IRS and develop strategies to resolve existing problems. While they're different services, they work together. Good tax preparation prevents most tax problems from occurring in the first place. And when we resolve existing tax problems, we also focus on getting you set up for proper compliance going forward so the problems don't repeat. Think of us as both your preventive care and your emergency room for tax issues.

Tax Preparation Carley Brook, PA