Less Taxing For You Specialties:

The tax code was written by attorneys and legislators, so it can be
cumbersome and intimidating. It changes regularly and you can easily
become overwhelmed.

Because I work within the tax code every day, I can wade through the mountain of rules and regulations, and explain to you the ones that pertain
to you.  My goal is to make taxes “less taxing for you.” Whether that means
guiding you, preparing your taxes for you, e-filing, helping you plan for tax
savings, or representing you before the government on a compliance issue,
I am here for you. I am passionate about taking the mystery and fear out of
taxation, and serving my clients in these key areas:

The “Average Joe”

Whether you are an employee, student, parent, investor, home-owner,
landlord, retiree, heir, or anyone in between, we can work together to
assess your unique situation and identify how to make the tax code work
for you. For example, we can plan for gifting and inheritance issues,
business acquisition and ownership, or simply decide how to more closely
match your wage withholding to your tax bill. We can identify ways to
utilize assistance plans your employer has already set up, to save both
of you tax dollars. There are many opportunities to explore.

Call me during the tax season, or any time of the year. I do not close my
doors after April 15th! (Except maybe for short “sanity-vacations”!)

Military

Since you are a member of our military, I have a deep respect for you. I
want to support you, as I have my current military clients, by aiding you in
navigating the many tax issues specific to you. I know that frequent moves
and deployments can present challenges to your family’s financial peace of
mind. We can meet for a consultation to identify planning areas, or we can
dive right in to tax return preparation. I have prepared multiple states' tax
returns, and handled military spouse non-resident state tax issues for
others just like you.

Small Business

As a small business owner, and as a past auditor of small businesses,
I know first-hand the challenges and pitfalls entrepreneurs face. I offer
consultations to help you in planning to open and/or operate your
businesses. We can talk about record-keeping requirements, "best
practices" and policies, compliance issues, and anything in between.
I also specialize in preparing small business (proprietor, corporation,
partnership and LLC) tax returns. I am available year-round to talk
about the issues that concern you.

Nonprofit Returns

My exposure to nonprofit reporting began in 1999 as the former Senior Tax
Analyst for a major nonprofit organization. This is an area I continue to
work in, consulting smaller organizations and preparing 990s.

Movers and Shakers

If you are about to relocate, change jobs, or undergo a major life change,
you may be one step away from a tax benefit you never knew about, or
one step away from creating a "taxing" situation for yourself. Now is the
time to find out. Tomorrow, it may be too late. Examples of life changes
are: opening a business, divorcing and/or negotiating child custody,
adopting a child, supporting an aging parent, hiring an on-site nanny,
family wealth distribution, selling a residence or rental property, etc.
Proper planning before these events become final may save you a lot of
money. A consultation and/or tax projection may be just what you need!

If you have already had one of these events happen to you, I can help you
sort through the situation to evaluate tax benefits you are entitled to,
including moving expenses and potentially tax-free employer relocation
assistance, employee business expenses and expense account
documentation, family tax assistance, etc.

I can also prepare multiple states' returns. Contact me for more information.

Tax Credits

Contrary to popular belief, there is a major difference between using a tax
deduction and taking a tax credit, and the difference can save you money!
(It can pay my fees, and then some!) How do you know which one, if any,
you qualify for? Proper planning may be the key. Come to me for tax
consultation and preparation related to family and education credits, such
as the Adoption Credit, Child & Dependent Care Credit, Child Tax Credit,
Earned Income Credit, Retirement Savers Credit, Hope Scholarship Credit
and Lifetime Learning Credit, or any other credit. I also specialize in
related deductions.

Overdue Tax Returns

If you are behind in filing your tax returns, you don’t need me to tell you
that you really should to get back on track.  You know it. You feel it.
You may even lose sleep over it.

I can’t write you a prescription for a sleeping pill. But, I can offer something
better. I can go to work for you to get you back in the driver’s seat. Come
to me for a consultation any time of the year, and I will provide you with a
plan of attack. We can work together to gather any missing information,
and prepare these tax returns one at a time, or all at once. The choice is
yours. Together, we can also discuss your reasons for getting behind and
evaluate whether penalty relief is possible. Call me, and I will get you on
the path to peace of mind again. Then, you may not need that sleeping pill!

NOTE: If you are already receiving compliance and/or collection notices,
the time to call is “yesterday.” It’s far better to go to IRS before they come
to you. But if they are already sending “love letters” to you, let me help
diffuse the situation. As soon as possible.

Audit Representation and Notice Resolution

Are you receiving notices from IRS (or your state's tax agency)? Are you
paralyzed with worry? Have you received an "invitation" to an audit? Don't
ignore the correspondence out of fear, and don't panic. Call me. I am here
to help you. Let me be the "middle-man!" IRS may be wrong and/or not
have all the facts necessary to resolve your matter. Or, you may have
compliance exposure you weren't aware of. Either way, I have the
experience and expertise to go to work for you to speed resolution and
help you get beyond this and back to a "normal" life.

As an Enrolled Agent, I am able to represent you before IRS and most state
agencies, when it comes to resolving your tax compliance and collection
issues. I can specifically go before them on your behalf, and you do not
have to be present. I can gather information from them, negotiate with
them for you, and be your spokesperson and advocate. Because I am not
“emotionally” involved in the situation, I can usually resolve the matter
more quickly and efficiently for you, earning your confidence and giving
you the gift of peace of mind.

Since IRS trained me as their employee, I know how to assess tough
situations and start working with IRS to resolve your issues. I will meet
with you, listen to you intently, and evaluate the situation to come up
with a plan of action specifically tailored to you.

I will be truthful with you. I will not “sell” you on an unrealistic expectation
just to get your business. But I will use the resources available to help you
in the most favorable way possible. And here’s the best part: I will work
with you to identify the cause of the issue, and we will come up with a
plan to put you back on the road to future compliance and peace of mind.

Other Services and Other Areas of Expertise

In addition to general tax preparation and planning, and representation,
I also offer the following services:
• E-filing
• Consultations
• Tax projections

I have served hundreds of clients over the years, including individuals,
small businesses, investors, fiduciaries and not-for-profit organizations.
I have seen, researched or represented thousands of unique issues.
Just because I haven’t listed your “area” as a specialty, it doesn’t mean
I have not, or cannot, handle it. Please call me to discuss how we can
work through the nuances of the tax laws, as they pertain to you.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my services.
I am eager to work together to make your taxes
“less taxing for you!”