Tax Preparation
Accurate, defensible federal & state returns
Preparation and e-file of federal and state returns — individual and entity — with correct treatment of complex forms like brokerage statements, K-1s, and real estate. Often coordinated with advisory so the return reflects the plan.
Service at a glance
- Service type
- Compliance
- Who it's for
- Individuals, families, and businesses
- Service area
- Nationwide — office in Westlake Village, CA
- Engagement model
- Fixed-scope, no hourly billing — scoped after document review
What's included
What to expect from Tax Preparation
Tax preparation at a CPA firm is more than data entry. We review for accuracy, apply correct treatment to complex forms, and coordinate with any advisory plan in place. The return reflects the year you had — and when advisory is in place, it reflects the year we planned together.
- Federal and state returns for individuals, families, and entities — 1040, 1120-S, 1120, 1065
- Correct treatment of brokerage statements, K-1s, RSUs, options, and multi-state income
- Depreciation schedules, Section 179, and cost segregation coordination for real estate and business owners
- Multi-state filing and nexus analysis for remote workers and businesses with out-of-state activity
- Amended returns when prior-year filings need correction
- E-file and secure document delivery through the client portal — no office visit required
- Coordination with bookkeeping and payroll so the return reconciles cleanly to your books
Our process
We do not guess.
We do not guess. We review the documents, propose, and implement. Every engagement starts with reviewing the actual documents — prior returns, statements, entity agreements — before we propose anything.
Whether a strategy applies depends on your specific facts, timing, and documentation. We will tell you clearly what we find and what we recommend.
Who it's for
Is this service right for you?
We work with a wide range of clients. This service is particularly relevant if any of the following describes your situation — though whether it applies depends on your specific facts.
Individuals with complex returns
Brokerage accounts, RSUs, K-1s, rental income, or multi-state work — these forms require correct handling that most software misses.
S-corps, partnerships, and LLCs
Entity returns require reconciling books, calculating basis, handling self-employment tax, and coordinating with your personal return. We handle the full picture.
Multi-state filers
Remote workers, executives with income in multiple states, and businesses with out-of-state activity need correct apportionment and nexus analysis.
Strategy library
Strategies that may apply
Whether any of these strategies are relevant depends on your facts, timing, and documentation. These are starting points for a review — not a guarantee of outcome.
Questions
Common questions about Tax Preparation
If you have a question that isn't answered here, a short discovery call is the fastest way to get a straight answer.
Tax preparation documents a year that's already over. Tax advisory is proactive — almost like financial planning for taxes. We meet throughout the year, build projections, and evaluate which strategies may apply, so you understand your position before year-end.
Yes. Our office is in Westlake Village, but we work with clients across the country. Document exchange happens through a secure portal, and meetings are by phone or video.
We do not bill hourly — you should call us when decisions come up, not avoid calls because the clock is running. Engagements are scoped after we review your documents.
Typically your last filed federal and state return, current-year tax forms (W-2/1099/K-1), and — if we're going to be holistic — investment statements so we can see cost basis and inefficiencies. We review the documents first, then propose.
No. We can often identify inefficiencies, but whether a strategy helps depends on your specific facts, timing, and documentation. We use can/may/depends language deliberately, and we'll tell you if there isn't enough value.
Not at all. We respect existing relationships and never try to infringe on them. To be holistic we like to see the full picture — and sometimes we can offer tidbits you can take back to your current advisor.
Related services
Services clients often combine
Many clients use these services together — preparation and advisory, or bookkeeping and payroll — because the results of one depend on the quality of the other.
IRS & State Help
Notices, audits & representation
Help responding to IRS and state notices, audit support, and representation under a power of attorney where appropriate. We review what's actually being asked and respond on your behalf.
Learn moreTax Advisory
Financial planning for taxes — our flagship
Proactive, year-round tax planning instead of rear-view-mirror filing. We meet on a quarterly cadence, build projections, and evaluate which strategies may apply — so you understand your tax position before the year closes, not after.
Learn moreBookkeeping & Accounting
Clean books that make planning possible
Year-round bookkeeping, entity compliance, and accounting support. Clean, current financials are the foundation of accurate projections and defensible business-owner strategies.
Learn moreGet started
Request a Tax Preparation consultation
Tell us about your situation. We'll follow up within one business day to discuss what we'd review, what we'd propose, and whether it makes sense to work together.
- Free initial discovery conversation
- Document-first — we review before we recommend
- No obligation — we only engage when there's clear value on both sides
Ready to move forward on Tax Preparation?
Book a discovery call. We'll review your documents, tell you what we'd evaluate, and be straightforward about whether there's enough value to work together.