Welcome. Here's everything you need to get your taxes done with us: what to gather, how to get it to us, what it costs, and what happens after that.
Most new clients are done in about two weeks from the day we have complete documents.
Questions at any point? Call 916-971-9315. Flor answers our phones and will get you on the calendar.
Call 916-971-9315Step 1: Gather your documents
Bring what applies to you. If you're not sure something matters, bring it; we'd rather see it than miss it.
Everyone
- Social Security cards or ITIN letters for everyone on the return, including dependents
- Last year's tax return (if you weren't with us last year)
- Bank routing and account number for direct deposit
Income
- W-2s from every job
- 1099s: 1099-NEC or 1099-K (self-employment), 1099-INT and 1099-DIV (bank and investments), 1099-R (retirement), 1099-G (unemployment or state refund), SSA-1099 (Social Security)
- Brokerage year-end statements, including crypto
- Rental income and expenses
Deductions and credits
- Form 1098 (mortgage interest) and property tax bills
- Form 1095-A if you had Covered California health insurance
- Childcare provider name, address, tax ID, and amount paid
- Form 1098-T (tuition) and student loan interest (1098-E)
- Charitable donation receipts
- Medical expenses, if large
Self-employed or small business
- Income and expense totals by category (a spreadsheet or your bookkeeping report is fine)
- Vehicle mileage log
- Home office square footage, if you claim it
- Estimated tax payments you made during the year
Step 2: Fill out the organizer
Our organizer asks the questions we'd otherwise ask you in person: address changes, new dependents, life events, and a checklist of the documents above. It takes about 15 minutes and saves a round of phone calls.
New clients: call Flor at 916-971-9315 and ask for a blank organizer. She can email it to you or have it ready for pickup at the front desk.
Returning clients: your organizer is mailed to you in December, pre-filled with last year's information. Some clients receive an e-organizer by email instead.
Step 3: Send us your documents (three ways)
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Client portal | Call Flor and she'll set up your login. Then upload photos or PDFs of each document; we're notified the moment you upload. | Most people. Fastest, and you can sign electronically at the end. |
| Drop off or mail | Bring your documents to 2233 Watt Ave, Suite 290, or mail them. We'll call when we've logged them. | Clients who prefer paper. Copies are preferred; if you only have originals, we'll make copies in the office. |
| In-person appointment | Sit down with your preparer and go through everything together. | First-year clients who want to talk it through, or returns with a lot going on. |
Whichever you choose, call 916-971-9315 first so Flor can set you up with a preparer and, if you want one, an appointment.
Step 4: What it costs
We price by the work your return requires, not by the refund.
- Personal returns start at $450 and can go up or down depending on the forms your return needs (a simple W-2 return is on the lower end; rental property, self-employment, or multiple states add to it).
- Business returns (partnerships, S corporations, corporations) are quoted after a short conversation about your business.
- We give you the price before we start, once we've seen your documents. No surprise charges.
Amending a past return, answering an IRS letter about a return we prepared, and quick questions during the year are handled separately; questions about a return we prepared are free.
Step 5: What happens next
- We confirm receipt. Within a business day of your upload or drop-off, we let you know we have it and whether anything's missing.
- Your preparer builds the return. Usually about two weeks from complete documents; longer in the final two weeks before the deadline.
- You review it. We walk you through the result and the price. Nothing is filed until you understand it.
- You sign. Sign the e-file forms electronically or in the office.
- We e-file and confirm. You get a text or email when the IRS and FTB accept the return. Your copy stays in the portal.
Questions new clients ask
When should I send my documents?
As soon as you have everything, ideally by the end of February. Most W-2s and 1099s arrive by January 31; brokerage statements can come in mid-February. Sending early means a shorter turnaround and time to fix anything missing.
What if I'm missing a document?
Send what you have and tell us what's outstanding. We'll start the return and slot in the last item when it arrives.
Do you do taxes for people who moved to California this year?
Yes. Part-year and multi-state returns are routine for us.
I haven't filed in a few years. Can you still help?
Yes, and it's more common than you'd think. Start with a call; we'll tell you what we need for each year and what to expect.
¿Hablan español?
Sí. Yessica Lopez, E.A., atiende en español de principio a fin. Servicios de Impuestos en Español
Can I just call and ask a question first?
Please do: 916-971-9315. Regular hours are Monday to Friday, 9 to 4. During tax season (February 1 to April 15, and October 1 to 15) we're open Monday to Friday 8:30 to 5:30 and Saturday 8:30 to 3.
2026 Fall Newsletter
Find Out More
Mid Year Newsletter 2026
Find Out More