Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need to hire a tax professional when DIY online taxes are so cheap?
Maybe not, but you probably want one.
Big companies like B&L Hrock and TarboTux (you know who I’m talking about) staff up with seasonal hires who are minimally trained to complete simple, transactional tax filings at low prices. But like so many things in life, you get what you pay for.
With a dedicated, full-time tax professional, you can be confident you will receive up-to-date, ethical, and knowledgeable tax advice from an expert in the US Tax Code. Additionally, because I spend more time with each client and develop relationships over time, you will get planning and advice that is tailored to your individual needs, not just a one-size-fits-all solution from someone who might spend next tax season working at Barstucks.
What is an Enrolled Agent?
Enrolled Agent (EA) is the highest credential the IRS awards. EAs are tax professionals admitted to practice and represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. EAs must have a clean tax history, no criminal record, pass a comprehensive exam, commit to a high standard of ethics, and complete continuing professional education to ensure up-to-date knowledge of the latest tax laws.
Much like lawyers and insurance agents, you hope not to need them, but you’re glad to have them around when you do!
Enrolled Agents are distinct from Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), in that a CPA may have a number of different specializations within Accounting (bookkeeping, auditing, forensics, etc), whereas EAs specialize exclusively in taxes. Because of this, some CPAs may be EAs, and vice versa.
Learn more about Enrolled Agents here.
Are you a CPA?
Not yet, but I am running up that hill. CPA licensing requires formal accounting education (which I have), a certain amount of time as a practicing accountant (which I am working towards), and passing the CPA exam (which I am preparing for).
Do you provide investment advice?
Tax-advantaged investing is a critical piece of any holistic financial plan. Together, we can build a strategy around the right accounts to meet your financial goals, including managing your long-run tax obligations. However, the decision of which individual assets to invest in is yours, as this is not my area of expertise.
If you are interested in professional investment management from a Certified Financial Planner, I strongly recommend Kevin Shuller at Cedar Peak Wealth Advisors.
Will you help me reduce my tax bill?
No one likes paying taxes… I certainly don’t. But, as was said by Supreme Court Justice Holmes, “Taxes are what we pay for civilized society.”
My goal is to find the absolute smallest amount you are legally required to pay, which might include credits, exemptions, and deductions you haven’t previously leveraged.
Depending on your situation, it may be possible to defer certain obligations to better align tax payments with your income stream, avoid overlap with major expenditures, or provide year-to-year predictability through tax smoothing strategies.
Incidentally, if you love paying taxes and wish you could pay more of them, you can make a donation to the government here. Yes, really.
What are your fees, and what is included?
For 2025 tax year filings, my fee is $450 for Federal Form 1040 and all associated Forms & Schedules (except International requirements, see below), plus $50 per State filing required. This is regardless of your filing status. I believe in full transparency, so you will never get a surprise bill at the end of tax season.
Each tax year, I will manage your family’s Federal and State filings, including any extensions or audits, as needed. Additionally, we will meet up to thrice annually (at least once before your filing deadline, and at least once after) to discuss tax planning and strategy, and I will be available to you throughout the year to address any ad hoc questions.
Fees are due in full prior to your filing deadline.
Can you prepare my international taxes?
I can prepare FBAR filings, as well as Forms 5471 and 8939, for an additional fee of $500 per tax year. We can also discuss the impact that internationally-sourced income and taxes paid will have on your US tax obligations.
However, multi-tier foreign entities, foreign trusts, controlled foreign corporations (CFCs), and foreign tax haven accounting are beyond my current level of expertise. If these financial structures are part of your portfolio, I will work with you to find the best tax professional for your specific international needs.
Where are you located?
I am based in Chicago, and I will gladly travel within the metro area for face-to-face meetings. If you’d prefer, we can meet at my home office, by video conference, or by phone.
Although I am in Illinois, as an Enrolled Agent, I am registered to prepare and file taxes in all US States and Territories.
When should we get started?
Any time is a good time to start developing a tax strategy. Contact me to schedule a meeting, and we can get started right away.
For tax preparation, it’s best to deliver all documents at least 45 days prior to your filing deadline (April 15 for most taxpayers) and to schedule our meeting for at least 30 days before your filing deadline.