Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule an appointment 

If you feel that you need a true consultation, about significant situations or dramatic changes from the prior year or if you are a new client. We enjoy time with our clients, however our main goal is to complete your return timely. Please be aware that appointments during tax season are for preparation of returns and not tax planning. Planning appointments can be booked for May or June. 

Delivery of Documents. 

Please fully utilize the TaxesToGo portal. Organizing all your documents and delivering them at one time in a complete and organized package will help us be efficient and save you on preparation fees. LATE ARRIVING investment statements and K-1’s can be submitted when you receive them if you anticipate they will arrive after March 15th. Please provide all additional information requested in 1 upload to your online portal TaxDome. Notify us when you have completed your submission of all tax support documents. 

Delivery Method.

 If you have an appointment, please bring ALL your documents. The Portal is available for you to upload late arriving documents or additional information as requested. Please use as few pdf's as possible – we do not need you to label each individual document – we print them all! Multiple pdf or jpg files are time consuming to print and organize and therefore will be billed by time. 

Extension Of Filing

. Not all returns can be filed by April 15th because of late arriving information or backlog in our office. Generally, returns received in the office after April 1st may not be completed by the April 15th deadline. However, any taxes are still due by April 15th deadline which may require (if time permits) some additional work to determine a tax extension payment. Our office is not responsible for any penalties for underpaid taxes. Extensions can be filed for the IRS by our office with a written request for an additional fee of $25 for personal and $50 for Business Returns. 

Late Changes To Your Return.

 Once your return has been completed and the pdf has been posted to your portal there will be charges for “forgotten” information that requires a re-work of the return. 

Tax Preparation Fee Guide 

Basic 1040 Return preparation fee begins at $250 which includes the following items: *Interest & Dividend Income *Pension/Retirement Statements *Educator Deductions (teachers) *Local KCMO return if applicable *W2's *Social Security Income *Student Loan Interest *Sch A deductions **Electronic filing of Federal and 1 State return.

 Additional Fees will apply for return that include the following items. The amount of charges will depend on the complexity of the situation to complete return *Investment beyond Interest/Dividends *K1's *Stock options *HSA contributions & distributions *Sale/Purchase of Real Estate (primary or rental)*Self Employment schedule (Sch C) * Farm Income & Expenses (Sch F) *Depreciation Schedules *Rental Properties (Sch E) *Earned Income Credit worksheet *Premium Tax Credit from Healthcare *Multiple State returns 

*** Fees for services vary based on the condition of your records, the complexity of the return, and the amount of correspondence and length of meetings required in order to obtain complete and organized information. Fees might also include other factors deemed relevant, including the difficulty of the issues and the skill required to perform the accounting, tax, or other service properly, time limitations imposed either by you or the circumstances. 

 Items to bring with you for your tax appointment (Note that not all of these may apply.) 

INCOME ➢ LAST YEAR’S tax return not prepared in our office – Federal, State and Local ➢ W-2’s ➢ 1099’s for Interest and Dividends ➢ 1099 B’s or year end investment statements ➢ Stock/Bond transaction information if not included on year end 1099B ➢ Information about any refunds from the State or Local government regarding overpayment of prior year taxes ➢ IRA, Pension or retirement distribution information – may be on a 1099R ➢ IRA Rollover/conversion information ➢ Social Security receipt information ➢ Unemployment receipt information ➢ Stock option information for ISO, RSU or ESPP. The more info you can provide the better. 

ADJUSTMENTS TO INCOME ➢ HSA contribution/withdrawal information and year end account balance ➢ Moving expense information if you relocated for employment and all expenses were not reimbursed by employer ➢ Student Loan interest this may be on a 1098 ➢ Education cost information – tuition, books, fees – this may be reported on a 1098. Proof of payment of tuition also required. Please attach CC statement, cancelled check or payment receipt 

ITEMIZED DEDUCTION INFORMATION ➢ Medical costs – only required if significant. Must meet minimum of 7.5% of your AGI. ➢ Tax payments to State or Local governments – may include income, per capita, LST, or estimated payments made for during the year to any state, city or municipality ➢ Real Estate Taxes ➢ Mortgage interest. ➢ Equity Line Mortgage Interest. TCJA requires that the use of the funds be detailed and only interest related to funds used to buy, build or substantially improve a personal residence can be deducted. Please provide a history of the use of your home equity line if you want this deduction. ➢ Mortgage insurance ➢ Charitable Contributions – cash and non cash. Summarized by charity name. 

CREDIT INFORMATION ➢ Child Care Information including name, address, phone number, EIN and Amount paid. ➢ Residential Energy Credit Applicable Purchases ➢ Education Credit Information – Tuition ➢ ANY ESTIMATED TAX PAYMENTS SENT IN DURING THE YEAR 

RENTAL PROPERTIES – request Sch E organizer for you to complete ➢ Rental income ➢ Advertising ➢ Cleaning and Maintenance ➢ Commissions ➢ Insurance ➢ Professional Fees ➢ Management expenses ➢ Mortgage interest ➢ Real estate taxes ➢ Repairs ➢ Supplies ➢ Rental permits or license fees ➢ Utilities ➢ Capital improvement or new fixed asset acquisition information ➢ Depreciation schedules if you are a new client ➢ Settlement statements for all real estate 

SELF EMPLOYMENT INCOME – This applies if you received any 1099-MISC forms or worked as a subcontractor Best prepared on QuickBooks. Please print a CASH BASIS Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Comparative so it shows current and prior year information. If you do not use an accouting software please request a Sch C for you to complete. ➢ Income, Revenue, Sales ➢ Cost of goods sold – This is the amount you paid for what you resold ➢ Advertising ➢ Car and Truck Expenses (I can send you another worksheet that details out the information I need) ➢ Subcontractor costs ➢ Insurance ➢ Health Insurance – please have this amount separate ➢ Interest – if any for large loans on equipment or working capital ➢ Legal and Professional Fees ➢ Office Expenses ➢ Rent ➢ Repairs and Maintenance ➢ Supplies ➢ Taxes and Licenses ➢ Travel – out of town – hotels, rental cars, airlines ➢ Utilities ➢ Telephone ➢ Internet, if separate ➢ Payroll – This should tie into your 941 reports ➢ Payroll Taxes ➢ Workers Comp Insurance ➢ Bank Service charges, Merchant Fees, Credit Card Processing Fees ➢ Dues and Subscriptions, Membership fees to professional organizations ➢ Continuing Education ➢ Postage and Delivery ➢ Meals ➢ Entertainment ➢ Computer Expenses ➢ Tools ➢ Uniforms ➢ Capital improvement or new fixed asset acquisition information ➢ Depreciation schedules if you are a new client ➢ Settlement statements for all real estate 

HOME OFFICE ➢ Total Home square footage ➢ Office Square footage. This space must be used EXCLUSIVELY and REGULARLY for business ➢ Mortgage Interest ➢ Real Estate Taxes ➢ Home Owners Insurance ➢ Home Owners Association Fees ➢ Utility Costs – Electric, Gas, Oil, Sewer, Trash. Report separately ➢ Telephone/Internet ➢ Purchase price of home for depreciation of home office