Individual Tax Returns
Small Business Tax Returns
Financial Statement Preparation Services
Payroll Reports W2’s, 941, Etc
Sales Tax Returns
Audit Services
Tax Planning
Retirement Planning
Quick Books Consulting

I started doing tax returns in 1975 for the 1974 tax year and then I opened my own business in February 1976. At first I did returns by hand, using carbon paper and going to clients homes. I soon learned that it was not very productive and began using a service bureau to process and print the returns. This was slow and we were relying on the delivery couriers all the time. Then personal computers changed the whole world.  At first I would enter the data on the in house computer and transmit to the service bureau and the next day I would receive the printed return ready for review. Every little error would cause a rerun and an extra charge and another day delay. Finally the in house program was written for the personal computer.  At first we had to be very careful because we were always finding errors in the programming logic, but in time it became very accurate and fast. I now complete the entire interview on the computer screen. By investing in a high-speed printer I have been able to eliminate the photocopy time and expense and print all copies as originals on the printer. I then can review the return and reprint in just a few minutes, sign and have the return assembled and be ready for the client to pick up. I have reference books on CD for quick research and study, and I receive Spidell’s California Taxletter to stay up on state matters, not to mention the hours of continuing education required to maintain my license status.

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The in house computer software allows me to process all forms of business tax returns. Small corporations C or S, Partnerships, Limited Liability Co.’s., Not for Profit Corporations, Trust, Estates, and Gift Tax returns. These returns usually require the books to be balanced - something that is not really necessary on an individual 1040. Because the books must be balanced, I usually have to review or do the accounting. Often adjustments must be made in the books prior to doing the return. Capital items must be capitalized, even if they are going to be written off in the first year (Sec 179 Deduction). Meals and entertainment must be correctly identified (only 50% deductible), and several other items need to be reviewed to be sure of correct handling in the return. I also offer small business Financial Statement preparation .

The in house Financial Statement preparation service uses a computer program designed for accountants to do client financial statements, journals, ledgers, and payroll tax returns. This program is updated quarterly, and is the most up to date, complete accounting software I can find. For the small business who likes to enter their own data and have the accountant review their work, we recommend Quick Books. We are a registered Quick Books Advisor and can help with your set-up and on going problems. Contact me it you have any need for professional financial statements for your business or assistance with your Quick Books System.

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Payroll Reports W2’s, 941, Etc

The software mentioned under Financial Statement Preparation is also wonderful for after the fact payroll reports. If you have already written the payroll check, we then enter the check in the system and can calculate and print all necessary quarterly and annual payroll reports and forms. We can help you calculate the paycheck with a couple of options in your own office, with or without a computer.

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Sales tax returns can be the most confusing tax form to get right. Not that the form itself is so difficult, but the sales tax law is a tangled mess. In a recent California Taxletter an article by Patrick Leone, CPA highlights some of the most senseless aspects of our state sales tax law. A restaurant sells a cold sandwich to go - taxable; a takeout deli sells a cold sandwich to go - non-taxable. An ice cream cone purchased at an ice cream store is taxable if the customer takes a bite before leaving the store, but if he carries it outside to eat, it is non-taxable. The school catalog for Cal State University system sold by bookstores are taxable, but pornographic magazines published four times a year and sold by subscription are non-taxable, fertilizer used around fruit trees or in vegetable gardens is not-taxable but if you mix in insecticides the seller must prorate the tax, even if it is to be used around orange trees. A graphic artist completes his artwork on his computer and copies it onto a disk. If he hands the disk to his California client, it is taxable, if instead, he takes the disk to the clients computer and copies it into the clients hard drive it is non-taxable. If you have doubts about charging your customer sales tax, call us, if we don’t know, we can find out.

We also can help do the necessary compiling of data to complete the sales and use tax return.

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I am licensed to practice before the Internal Revenue Service as an Enrolled Agent. I can represent you either in a field audit or an office audit with or without your presence and if I did or did not prepare the return for you. I prefer to review your return and receipts in my office and attend the audit without you being there.

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Tax planning is an every day event, or at least it should be in your life. We can sit down and work up a plan on how to manage your tax liability and keep it as low as possible and maybe schedule events to minimize your taxes. The best planning tool is to be aware of those things you do that will affect your tax bill and make sure your want to do that now. One of the most effective tax reduction tools is a simple date book with all the details. Mileage logs kept daily will increase your tax deduction to every dime you have coming, no more guessing on how much you can safely get away with if you have it in black and white and it was recorded daily. I encourage outside sales people to “buy the government a cup of coffee every Monday morning” while they fill in the previous week's business entertainment, expense, and mileage logs.

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This is a major item many people just keep planning on getting to one of these days.  Time marches on and finds us getting much too far into our lives without the proper plan in place. There is no one plan that is right for everyone. We must understand many things about you and your family history and your realistic plans for retirement. What kind of work do you do, what are your hobbies, your interests?  Are you a home body or do you want to travel and how? 

There are many ways to provide for retirement - employer retirement plans, 401k’s, IRA’s, Keoh, SEP’s, life insurance, mutual funds, social security, and stocks, just to mention a few. We can lay down a plan after we have all the facts, but that plan must be flexible enough to change with the changes in your situation. (Children, college, health, etc)

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Quick Books Consulting

I am a registered Quick Books Advisor. We recommend  Quick Books for most small business and Quick Books Pro if you need estimates and/or job costing. I use the Quick Books program for my business accounting and have several clients who will bring me a back-up disk.  I load it onto my computer and make adjustments and print reports on my computer then do the tax return.

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