Why Consult a CPA

For Individuals

Personal Tax & Life Events

· Do I need a CPA if my situation changed this year (marriage/divorce, new child, bought/sold a home)?

· Which filing status should I use, and how does it change my taxes?

· How do I plan for a big one‑time event (inheritance, lawsuit settlement, debt forgiveness)?

Income & Withholding

· Am I having enough tax withheld from my paycheck, or should I adjust my W‑4?

· I got a bonus/RSUs/stock options—how do taxes work on these, and should I make estimated payments?

· What records do I need if I have multiple employers or side income?

Deductions & Credits

· What can I legitimately deduct (home office, medical, charitable, educator expenses)?

· Do I itemize or take the standard deduction—what saves me more?

· Which credits do I qualify for (Child Tax Credit, education credits, energy credits)?

Investments, Equity & Crypto

· How are capital gains taxed, and can I harvest losses to reduce tax?

· What’s the right way to report RSUs/ISOs/NSOs and avoid double‑taxing?

· How do I track and report crypto trades, staking, or NFTs?

Real Estate

· I sold my home—do I qualify for the home‑sale exclusion?

· How are rental properties taxed (depreciation, passive losses, Airbnb rules)?

· Should I make improvements before selling for basis and capital‑gain planning?

Retirement & Education

· How much can I put into Traditional vs Roth IRAs (and is a backdoor Roth right for me)?

· Should I convert to Roth in a low‑income year?

· What’s the best way to save for college—529 plan vs other options?

IRS/State Notices & Problem Solving

· I received a tax notice—what should I do first, and can you respond for me?

· Can you help with penalty abatement, payment plans, or amended returns?

· How do we reduce audit risk and keep proper documentation?

For Businesses

Entity Structure & Tax Strategy

· Should I form an LLC or elect S Corp status for my business?

· What are the tax benefits and trade-offs of being an S Corporation?

· Can you help me evaluate whether to switch from a sole proprietorship to an LLC or S Corp?

· How do owner distributions work, and how are they taxed?

· What is reasonable compensation for an S Corp owner, and how is it determined?

Tax Planning & Compliance

· Do you provide quarterly tax planning for S Corp or LLC owners?

· What tax deductions are available to small business owners?

· Can you help me with home office, vehicle, and retirement plan deductions?

· How can I avoid common IRS red flags for small business returns?

· Do you offer end-of-year tax projections and planning sessions?

Bookkeeping, Payroll & Reporting

· Do I need to run payroll for myself as an S Corp owner?

· Can you manage or review my QuickBooks or accounting software?

· Do you offer monthly or quarterly bookkeeping services?

· Can you file my 1099s and help me stay compliant with contractor rules?

· Do you reconcile books and prepare year-end financials for my business?

Filing & Deadlines

· When are business tax returns due for LLCs and S Corps?

· What happens if I miss a quarterly estimated tax payment?

· Can you file multi-state or out-of-state business returns?

· How do K-1s work for S Corporations or partnerships?

· Can you handle late filings or amendments for past business returns

IRS & State Representation

· Can you represent me before the IRS or state tax authorities if I get audited?

· What happens if my S Corp or LLC receives a tax notice?

· Do you assist with penalty abatement or installment agreements for business tax debt?

Working Together

· What’s included in your monthly or annual service packages for small businesses?

· How do we communicate — In-person, phone, Zoom, portal, email?

· Can you work with my attorney or financial advisor on tax-related matters?

· Do you help new businesses set up accounting systems and processes?