Tax Preparation Services

Thank you for your interest, but at this time Carol Topp, CPA is not accepting new tax clients.

Repeat Clients I offer One Stop Tax Return Checklist for individual repeat clients. Most of my clients see me twice in a tax year, once to drop off their data and once again to pick up their completed return. With the use of e-mail, telephone, and the US mail, we can do a lot of work with only one trip!

What do I need to bring? Paperwork like W-2s, bank interest earnings, names, social security numbers and dates of birth of everyone in your family. I also like to see last year’s tax return if not prepared by me. Here’s a Tax Return Checklist of the items I’ll need to prepare your tax return.

All my clients must sign an Engagement Letter before I can complete their tax return.

If you own a small or micro business, use this form to gather you business income and expenses.

Sole Prop Business Expenses Form

If you own rental property, use this form to gather your rental income and expenses

Rental Property Expenses Form

Do you offer electronic filing?
Yes, I can file your federal and sate tax returns electronically. I get assurance that the return reached the proper agency and can even tell you when your refund will be deposited into your bank account.

Do you offer “Rapid Refunds”
No, I do not. Refund anticipation loans (RALs) are short term loans with extremely high interest rates. If you need your refund quickly, we can discuss some money management tips. I can help you build a savings account so you are not paying outrageous interest rates and fees on RALs.

How long will it take?
I do not prepare your tax return while you sit in front of me as many store front tax preparation services do. Our initial appointment will take one hour if you are a new client, less if you are a repeat client. Small business owners should plan one hour for their annual appointment. I then try to get your return finished in one week. I take my time to help you understand your tax return and make sure it is done correctly.

Do I need to make an appointment? I meet face to face with new clients twice. Once to drop off your information and once to pick it up and discuss the tax return. If you are a repeat, individual client, I offer a One Stop Tax Return service

In order to timely file your income tax return, I must receive your information by March 1. Clients submitting information  after March 1 will be assessed an additional $50 fee.

How much will it cost? For tax preparation I charge by the form. A typical individual tax returns costs $150-250 and includes Federal, state, city tax returns and electronic filing. A small business owner’s tax return is more complicated and typically costs between $250-500 and includes Federal, state, city tax returns and electronic filing

See my Fee schedule 2014 for details