Preparation is where the year's decisions get reported. When the planning was done in advance, the return confirms it. When it was not, the return is the first time anyone sees what the year cost. We prepare returns for businesses and for the people who own them, together, so that nothing reported on one is a surprise on the other.
Returns we prepare
- Form 1120-S for S corporations, with a Schedule K-1 for each shareholder.
- Form 1065 for partnerships and multi-member LLCs, with a Schedule K-1 for each partner. Not sure which applies to you? Read Form 1120-S vs Form 1065.
- Form 1120 for C corporations.
- Form 1040 for individuals, including Schedule C for sole proprietors and single-member LLCs, Schedule E for rental and pass-through income, and the state returns that go with them.
- Arizona returns for each of the above, and other state returns where you have filing obligations.
- Extensions when they are the right call, with the tax paid on time so an extension never becomes a penalty.
- Quarterly estimated tax vouchers so the next year is covered. See Quarterly estimated taxes explained.
- IRS and state notice resolution for returns we prepared and for prior years. See You got an IRS notice. Now what?
- Prior-year and late returns when you need to catch up.
Key deadlines
| Return | Original due date | Extended due date |
|---|---|---|
| Form 1120-S and Form 1065 | March 15 | September 15 |
| Form 1040 and calendar-year Form 1120 | April 15 | October 15 |
| Estimated payments | April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15 | Not extendable |
Dates that land on a weekend or holiday move to the next business day. An extension extends the time to file, not the time to pay.
How it works
- Organizer and document list. You get a checklist specific to your situation in January, and a secure portal to upload documents.
- Preparation and review. We prepare the business return first, then the owners' returns, and review both with you before anything is filed.
- E-filing and confirmation. Returns are filed electronically, and you receive the acceptance confirmations and a complete copy for your records.
- The next year's plan. The return closes with the estimated payments and the planning points for the year ahead.
Who it is for
Owners of S corporations, partnerships and LLCs, independent professionals, landlords, and individuals whose returns have become more complex than a software product handles well. We work with all industries, remotely, across all 50 states.
Frequently asked questions
Do you only prepare returns for strategy clients?
No. Many clients start with preparation. The planning conversation usually follows once we have seen a full year of numbers.
What do you need from me?
For a business: year-end financial statements or access to your bookkeeping file, payroll reports, asset purchases, and last year's return. For individuals: W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, mortgage and property tax statements, and anything that changed during the year. The organizer spells it out.
What if I am behind by a year or more?
We prepare prior-year returns regularly. The order matters, and penalties can often be reduced once everything is filed, so the first step is a call to lay out the sequence.