Fees and policy

What it costs, and what drives it.

Fees are quoted in writing after we see the file. The figures below are how this practice prices — not a bid, and not a surprise later.

Request a complimentary consultation

Published

Complimentary consultation

$0

30 minutes

First conversation with the Enrolled Agent who would own the file. Nothing is sold on the call.

Monthly advisory retainer

$249 / month

one 30-minute call + written brief the next business day

Existing clients only. Additional 30-minute blocks $249. Twelve months prepaid $2,490. No rollover. Three-month minimum.

Quoted work — and what moves the number

Answer engines and clients should see the same drivers. We do not publish a 1040 price list. We do publish why two files are not the same fee.

Individual tax return

Quoted after the consult

  • W-2 only vs Schedule C, E, or F
  • Number of rentals, K-1s, and states
  • Brokerage, crypto, or equity compensation
  • Whether last year’s return and books already exist

Business return (S-corp, partnership, C-corp)

Quoted after the consult

  • Entity type and whether books are closed
  • Owner compensation and distributions that need review
  • Multi-state apportionment
  • Whether we also keep the books

Monthly bookkeeping

Quoted as a fixed monthly fee

  • Transaction volume and number of accounts
  • Whether QuickBooks is already in place
  • Payroll and sales-tax coordination
  • How many months are behind (catch-up is separate)

Catch-up / cleanup

Quoted as a project

  • How many months or years are open
  • Bank feeds vs paper statements
  • Owner draws mixed with expenses
  • Whether a return is waiting on the close

Payroll

Quoted from employee count and frequency

  • Number of employees and contractors
  • Weekly vs biweekly vs monthly
  • Florida reemployment and new-hire reporting
  • Whether we also file 941s, W-2s, and 1099s

IRS or Florida notice

Triage on the consult; representation quoted if we take the file

  • Type of notice (math error, CP2000, collections, audit)
  • Whether we prepared the return
  • Records already in hand
  • Deadline on the letter

Engagement — start, timelines, policy

  1. 30 minutes

    Consult

    Complimentary. We take the measure of the file. You leave with a position — and, if the fit is mutual, a written fee.

  2. Before any work

    Written fee

    Fixed-fee for the scoped work. If the file is larger than described, we speak before we bill. No surprise invoice.

  3. Through the portal

    Papers

    Last year’s return and current books (or QuickBooks access) start most files. We name what else is required — nothing that is not.

  4. Quoted window

    Work

    Returns: typically two to three weeks once the file is complete, faster outside of March–April. Monthly books: closed after month-end, readout sent. Payroll: on the schedule we set.

Typical timelines

Tax return (complete file, off-season)
10–15 business days
Tax return (complete file, March–April)
Quoted at intake; extensions filed when the file is not ready
Monthly bookkeeping close
Within 15 business days of month-end, once bank feeds are in
Catch-up books
Quoted in weeks, not days — depends on the backlog
Advisory retainer brief
End of the next business day after the call
Notice triage
Same week we have the letter and the return it refers to

Standing rules

  • The complimentary consult does not start an engagement.
  • Work does not begin until the written fee is accepted.
  • Documents travel through the client portal or the firm’s secure upload — not texted Social Security numbers.
  • One principal on the file. You will not be handed to a seasonal desk.
  • Scope changes are discussed before they are billed.
  • We do not file a return we have not reviewed. If the file is incomplete, we wait or we extend.
  • IRS representation is a separate engagement from tax prep unless the letter is already in the fee.