FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I help you prepare your individual income tax returns, including most Form 1040's: W-2, W-4, 1040-X, 1040-ES, 1040-NR nd 1040-SR & Schedule C 

Form 1040 is used by U.S. taxpayers to report annual income, calculate tax liability, claim deductions and credits, and determine the refund or tax owed

Preparation Process: (Filling out a return)

• A Simple Return: with minimal deductions, could take as little as 1 to 3 hours 
• A Complex Return: requires detailed recordkeeping and could take 20+ hours 

Preparation Turnaround: (Receiving a return)

• During Slow Season (Jan/May-Dec): turnaround is often fast, can take 1 to 2 days to a week 
• During Peak Season (Mid-Feb to April 15th): due to high volume, turnaround completions can take 2 to 4 weeks 

• After filing your taxes, your next steps are to verify that the IRS has officially accepted your return (resubmit if rejected, or file Form 1040-X if you find a mistake later)
• You must then either promptly pay any tax balance due to avoid penalties or track your expected refund using the IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool 
• Save a complete copy of your final return and all supporting documents for at least three years
• Consider adjusting your W-4 for next year to optimize your tax withholding 

• The cost to hire an independent tax preparer varies based on the complexity of one's tax situation
• Most preparers use a base fee for the Form 1040 and then add charges for each complex schedule required
• For the most accurate estimate, it is best to contact a local preparer (ex: me) and request a fixed quote based on the specific forms you need to file