Personal returns (Form 1040)

W-2 income, dependents, itemized deductions, and credits. We compare against your prior-year return so nothing carries over incorrectly.

Self-employment and freelance

Schedule C filings with home office, mileage, and retirement contributions. We review your qualified business income deduction each year.

Business entity returns

1120, 1120-S, and 1065 filings prepared from your books. K-1s are prepared for every owner.

Rental property (Schedule E)

Per-property income and expense reporting with MACRS depreciation. Passive activity losses are tracked year to year.

Investment and crypto

Capital gains and cost basis reconciliation from brokerage and exchange activity, reported on Form 8949.

Multi-state filing

Part-year residency, remote work, and nexus filings. We apply credits for taxes paid to other states where they apply.

IRS resolution

Notice responses, installment agreements, and penalty abatement requests. Our Enrolled Agent can represent you before the IRS.

Back taxes and unfiled years

We reconstruct records and file missing returns to bring you current, then set a plan for staying current going forward.

Personal Tax Returns

Form 1040 · Individual & Family Filing

Standard vs. Itemized Deductions

We run both calculations to determine which saves you more. Itemizing often wins for homeowners, high-income earners, and those with significant charitable contributions or medical expenses.

Child Tax Credit & Dependent Care

Up to $2,000 per qualifying child under 17, plus the Child and Dependent Care Credit for daycare, after-school programs, and summer camps. We address every dependent-related credit is claimed.

Education Credits (AOTC & LLC)

The American Opportunity Credit provides up to $2,500 per student for the first four years of college. The Lifetime Learning Credit covers graduate school, professional development, and continuing education, up to $2,000 per return.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

One of the most valuable credits for low-to-moderate income workers and families. Worth up to $7,430 for qualifying families, yet millions of eligible taxpayers fail to claim it every year.

Retirement Contribution Deductions

Contributions to traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and HSAs reduce your taxable income dollar-for-dollar. We calculate optimal contribution amounts based on your income, age, and retirement goals.

Health Insurance Premium Credits

If you purchased insurance through the marketplace, you may qualify for the Premium Tax Credit. We reconcile Form 1095-A and help you're not overpaying or underreporting.

Mortgage Interest & Property Tax

Deduct mortgage interest on up to $750,000 of qualified residence loans, plus state and local taxes (SALT) up to 0,000. We track these annually and advise on strategies to maximize the benefit.

Charitable Contributions

Cash donations, non-cash contributions (clothing, furniture, vehicles), and qualified charitable distributions from IRAs. We maintain proper documentation and valuation for every gift.

Self-Employment & Freelancer Taxes

Schedule C · SE Tax · Quarterly Estimates · Entity Planning

Schedule C & Schedule SE

We prepare Schedule C reporting all business income and expenses, and calculate self-employment tax (15.3% on net earnings) on Schedule SE. We also apply the above-the-line deduction for half of SE tax, a deduction many self-preparers miss entirely.

Quarterly Estimated Payments

Without employer withholding, you're responsible for paying taxes quarterly. We calculate safe harbor estimates based on prior year liability or current year projections, set up payment reminders, and adjust amounts if your income changes mid-year.

Home Office Deduction

We evaluate both methods, simplified ($5/sq ft, max 300 sq ft = ,500) and actual (proportionate share of rent/mortgage, utilities, insurance, repairs). The actual method often yields a larger deduction, and we help protect your space meets the exclusive-use test.

Vehicle & Mileage Deductions

If you use a vehicle for business, we calculate both the standard mileage rate (67 cents/mile in 2024) and actual expenses (gas, insurance, depreciation, repairs), recommending whichever saves more. We help you maintain an IRS-compliant mileage log.

Retirement Plan Contributions

Self-employed individuals have access to powerful retirement vehicles: SEP-IRA (up to 25% of net SE income, max $69,000), Solo 401(k) (employee + employer contributions up to $69,000), and SIMPLE IRA. Each has different contribution limits and deadlines, we match the right plan to your situation.

Health Insurance Deduction

Self-employed individuals can deduct 100% of health, dental, and vision insurance premiums for themselves, their spouse, and dependents, but only if they're not eligible for employer-sponsored coverage elsewhere. This is an above-the-line deduction that reduces AGI.

Entity Structure Evaluation

At what point does forming an LLC or electing S-Corp status save you money? We run the math. Generally, once net SE income exceeds $50K-$60K, S-Corp election can save $5K- 5K+ per year by restructuring some income as distributions rather than wages subject to SE tax.

1099-NEC / 1099-K Reconciliation

Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and payment processors issue 1099-NEC or 1099-K forms. But not all income gets reported on 1099s, if a client pays you less than $600, they're not required to file one. We reconcile all income sources regardless of whether a 1099 was issued.

Gig Economy Workers

Driving for Uber, delivering for DoorDash, renting on Airbnb, or selling on Etsy? All of these create self-employment income with their own reporting quirks. Platform 1099-Ks may not match your actual earnings due to refunds, fees, and tips. We reconcile everything and help you're only paying tax on what you actually earned.

Business Tax Returns

LLC · S-Corp · C-Corp · Partnership · Nonprofit

S-Corporation (Form 1120-S)

Pass-through entity where income flows to shareholders' personal returns via Schedule K-1. We handle reasonable compensation analysis, shareholder distributions, and state-level S-Corp elections to help you're maximizing the SE tax savings that make the S-Corp structure worthwhile.

C-Corporation (Form 1120)

Separate taxable entity subject to the 21% flat corporate rate. We manage estimated tax payments, accumulated earnings planning, and coordination between corporate and personal returns to minimize total tax across both levels.

Partnership / Multi-Member LLC (Form 1065)

Informational return that allocates income, deductions, and credits to partners via K-1s. We maintain proper allocation percentages, track partner basis, handle committed to payments, and coordinate with each partner's personal return.

Single-Member LLC (Schedule C)

Disregarded entity reported on your personal return. We track all business income and expenses, calculate self-employment tax, and evaluate whether electing S-Corp status would save you money as your business grows.

Nonprofit (Form 990 Series)

Tax-exempt organizations must file annually to maintain their status. We prepare Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N depending on your gross receipts, and handle unrelated business income (UBIT) reporting on Form 990-T.

Business Deadlines Are Earlier Than You Think

S-Corps and partnerships are due March 15, a full month before personal returns. Late filing penalties are $220/month per shareholder or partner. We manage all deadlines and file extensions when needed.

Rental Property Taxes

Schedule E · Depreciation · 1031 Exchanges · Multi-Property

Schedule E Preparation

We prepare Schedule E for each property, tracking rental income, expenses, and depreciation separately. For investors with 3+ properties, we provide a property-level P&L summary that shows true cash flow and tax impact per unit.

MACRS Depreciation Schedules

Residential rental property is depreciated over 27.5 years using the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS). We calculate and maintain depreciation schedules for the building, improvements, appliances, and any assets placed in service during the year.

Cost Segregation Analysis

For properties valued at $500K+, a cost segregation study can accelerate depreciation on components like HVAC, flooring, and landscaping, shifting them from 27.5-year to 5, 7, or 15-year schedules. This can generate significant first-year tax savings.

Passive Activity Loss Rules

Rental income is generally classified as passive, which limits your ability to deduct losses against active income. However, if your AGI is under 50K, you may deduct up to $25K in rental losses. Real estate professionals who meet the 750-hour material participation test can deduct unlimited losses.

1031 Exchange Documentation

Selling one property and buying another? A 1031 like-kind exchange defers capital gains taxes entirely. We coordinate with qualified intermediaries, track boot, and maintain proper reporting on Form 8824 so your exchange holds up under scrutiny.

Short-Term Rental Compliance

Airbnb, VRBO, and short-term rentals have different tax treatment depending on average rental periods and personal use days. We apply the correct tax rules, including the 14-day rule, material participation tests, and local occupancy tax compliance.

Property Sale & Capital Gains

When you sell a rental property, you owe taxes on capital gains and depreciation recapture (taxed at 25%). We calculate the adjusted basis, account for all improvements and selling costs, and identify strategies like installment sales or opportunity zone reinvestment to defer or reduce the tax hit.

Multi-State Rental Reporting

If you own rentals in multiple states, each state requires its own filing. We handle income allocation, state-specific deduction rules, and help you're claiming credits for taxes paid to other states to avoid double taxation.

Are You a Real Estate Professional?

If you spend 750+ hours per year in real estate activities and it represents more than half your working time, you may qualify as a Real Estate Professional. This unlocks the ability to deduct unlimited rental losses against ordinary income, a massive tax advantage. We evaluate your eligibility and help you document your hours to support the classification.

Investment & Capital Gains Taxes

Schedule D · Crypto · Stock Options · K-1s · FBAR

Capital Gains & Tax-Loss Harvesting

We calculate short-term and long-term capital gains on every sale, identify opportunities to harvest losses to offset gains, and apply the $3,000 net capital loss deduction against ordinary income. For active traders, we evaluate the wash sale rule and Section 475 mark-to-market election.

Dividend & Interest Income

Qualified dividends are taxed at preferential rates (0%, 15%, or 20%), while ordinary dividends and interest are taxed as regular income. We categorize every distribution correctly, reconcile 1099-DIV and 1099-INT forms, and work to reflect your portfolio's tax efficiency in your return.

Cryptocurrency & Digital Assets

Every crypto sale, swap, or conversion is a taxable event. We reconstruct transaction histories from exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken, apply FIFO or specific identification cost basis methods, and report every transaction on Form 8949. We also handle staking rewards, airdrops, and DeFi income.

Stock Options, RSUs & ESPPs

Incentive Stock Options (ISOs), Non-Qualified Stock Options (NQSOs), Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), and Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs) all have different tax treatment. We track grant dates, exercise dates, vesting schedules, and disposition types for accurate reporting and to minimize AMT exposure.

Retirement Account Distributions

Traditional IRA, 401(k), and pension distributions are taxed as ordinary income. Roth distributions are tax-free if qualified. We plan distribution timing to stay in lower tax brackets, coordinate with Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), and evaluate Roth conversion strategies.

Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT)

The 3.8% NIIT applies to investment income when your modified AGI exceeds $200K (single) or $250K (joint). We calculate your exposure, identify strategies to reduce MAGI, and handle accurate reporting on Form 8960.

K-1 Partnership & Trust Income

Investment partnerships, real estate syndications, and trusts distribute income via Schedule K-1. These forms are notoriously complex, often arriving late, and frequently contain multiple types of income requiring different treatment. We reconcile every K-1 and integrate it into your overall return.

Foreign Investment Reporting

If you hold foreign financial accounts exceeding 0,000 at any point during the year, you must file FinCEN 114 (FBAR). Foreign financial assets over $50K (single) or 00K (joint) require Form 8938. Penalties for non-compliance are severe, 0,000+ per violation. We handle full reporting.

State & Multi-State Filing

Colorado Form 104 · Multi-State · Remote Workers · Part-Year

Colorado Form 104 Preparation

Colorado uses a flat 4.4% income tax rate with unique adjustments. We calculate Colorado subtractions (Social Security, military retirement, Colorado-sourced capital gains), apply applicable credits (child tax credit, enterprise zone, renewable energy), and handle Denver city occupational privilege tax filing.

Multi-State Income Allocation

If you earned income in multiple states, through remote work, travel, or business operations, each state may require a separate return. We allocate income using each state's apportionment rules, apply credits for taxes paid to other states, and help you're not double-taxed on the same income.

Part-Year & Non-Resident Returns

Moved to or from Colorado during the year? We prepare part-year resident returns that properly allocate income between states. For non-residents with Colorado-sourced income (rental properties, pass-through entities), we file non-resident returns to report only the Colorado portion.

State Estimated Tax Planning

Many states require quarterly estimated payments, and the rules differ from federal. We calculate state-level estimates, set up payment schedules, and monitor your withholding to avoid underpayment penalties, which can be especially tricky for multi-state filers.

Remote Worker State Compliance

Post-2020, remote work has created a tax nexus nightmare. If you live in Colorado but work for a company in another state, or vice versa, you may owe taxes in both jurisdictions. We navigate reciprocity agreements, convenience-of-the-employer rules, and telecommuter tax laws across all states.

Received a letter from the IRS? Don't panic, and don't ignore it. We review every notice, determine the appropriate response, and handle all communication on your behalf. Most notices are routine (CP2000 income discrepancies, math error corrections, balance due reminders) and can be resolved quickly when addressed properly.

If you're selected for an IRS examination, we provide full audit defense, from organizing documentation to representing you in person or by correspondence. We stand behind every return we prepare and have a track record of resolving audits with minimal additional tax owed. You never face the IRS alone.

Behind on filing? The IRS knows, and they may have already filed a Substitute for Return (SFR) on your behalf, which typically results in a higher tax bill because it includes no deductions. We prepare and file all missing returns, often significantly reducing what you owe compared to the SFR amount.

If you owe taxes you can't pay in full, we negotiate IRS installment agreements that fit your budget. For balances under $50K, streamlined agreements are available without extensive financial disclosure. For larger amounts, we prepare a Collection Information Statement (Form 433-A/B) to establish affordable terms.

Offer in Compromise (OIC)

In some cases, the IRS will accept less than the full amount owed. We evaluate your eligibility based on income, assets, and ability to pay, and prepare the OIC application with supporting documentation. The acceptance rate is low, but when it works, it can settle a $50K+ liability for a fraction of the balance.

Penalty Abatement

The IRS assesses penalties for late filing, late payment, and accuracy issues, but they also have provisions for removing penalties when you have reasonable cause. First-time penalty abatement is available to taxpayers with a clean history. We identify every avenue to reduce or eliminate penalties on your account.

Innocent Spouse Relief

If your spouse or former spouse understated taxes on a joint return and you didn't know about it, you may qualify for innocent spouse relief. We evaluate your situation under IRS guidelines and file Form 8857 to request equitable relief from joint liability.

Currently Not Collectible (CNC) Status

If paying your tax debt would create a financial hardship, we can request CNC status, which pauses collection activity. The IRS stops levies and garnishments while your account is in CNC status, and the 10-year collection statute continues to run.

Higher income returns are statistically more likely to be examined. The IRS audit rate for filers earning $200K-$500K is roughly 1 in 100; for income over M, it's closer to 1 in 25. More income means more forms, more deductions, and more opportunities for errors.

Schedule C filers report income and expenses on their own, there's no employer verifying the numbers. The IRS knows this and examines self-employment returns at higher rates, especially when reported expenses are unusually high relative to income.

Charitable deductions that are disproportionately high relative to your income raise flags, especially non-cash donations like vehicles, clothing, or art. The IRS has specific substantiation requirements for donations over $250, and appraisal rules for non-cash gifts over $5,000.

The home office deduction remains one of the most scrutinized items on a tax return. The IRS requires exclusive and regular use of a dedicated space for business, no dual-purpose rooms. However, the deduction is 100% legitimate for qualifying taxpayers and shouldn't be avoided out of fear.

The IRS now asks about crypto on page 1 of Form 1040. Exchanges report transactions via 1099-DA (starting 2025), and the IRS has invested heavily in blockchain analytics. Unreported crypto income is one of the fastest-growing enforcement priorities.

Claiming large rental losses, especially against active income, can trigger examination. The passive activity loss rules limit deductions for most taxpayers, and the real estate professional exception requires careful documentation of 750+ hours.

The IRS matches every 1099 filed by payers against your return. If a 1099 was issued and the income doesn't appear on your return, you'll receive a CP2000 notice, and the IRS will calculate the tax owed plus penalties. This is the most common and easily avoidable trigger.

Consistently round numbers (e.g., $5,000, 0,000, $3,000) suggest estimation rather than actual record-keeping. While the IRS allows rounding to the nearest dollar, suspiciously round figures across multiple line items can trigger closer review.

In-house Denver team

You work with the same professionals each year, so nobody has to relearn your situation.

Audit support on our returns

If the IRS asks questions about a return we prepared, we handle the correspondence and documentation.

Year-round availability

Tax questions do not stop in April. We answer mid-year questions about payments, entity changes, and estimates.

Complex filings welcome

Multi-state, multi-entity, rental portfolios, and crypto activity are routine work for our team.

Income Documents

• W-2s from all employers
• 1099-NEC (freelance/contractor income)
• 1099-MISC (other income, royalties)
• 1099-INT (interest income)
• 1099-DIV (dividend income)
• 1099-B (stock/crypto sales)
• 1099-R (retirement distributions)
• 1099-K (payment platforms: Stripe, PayPal, Venmo)
• K-1s from partnerships, S-Corps, or trusts
• Social Security statements (SSA-1099)
• Rental income records by property

Deduction & Credit Records

• Mortgage interest (Form 1098)
• Property tax payment records
• Charitable donation receipts and acknowledgments
• Medical and dental expense records
• Student loan interest (Form 1098-E)
• Tuition payments (Form 1098-T)
• Childcare provider information (name, address, EIN, amount)
• State and local tax payments (SALT)
• Energy efficiency home improvement receipts

Self-Employment & Business Records

• Profit & loss statement (or income/expense summary)
• Business expense receipts and records
• Mileage log (dates, destinations, business purpose)
• Home office measurements (dedicated square footage)
• Equipment purchase records for depreciation
• Subcontractor payments and W-9s (for 1099 filing)
• Health insurance premium statements
• Retirement plan contribution records (SEP, Solo 401k)

Investment & Property Records

• Brokerage statements (1099-B, consolidated 1099)
• Cryptocurrency exchange reports (Coinbase, Kraken, etc.)
• Rental property income and expense summaries
• Property purchase closing statements (HUD-1)
• 1031 exchange documentation
• Stock option exercise records
• RSU vesting statements
• Foreign financial account balances (for FBAR)

General Items

• Last year's tax return (federal and state)
• Social Security numbers for all family members
• Bank account and routing number (for refund direct deposit)
• Health insurance forms (1095-A, 1095-B, or 1095-C)
• Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) if issued by IRS
• Estimated tax payment records

Missing documents?

Most clients don't have everything ready when they start. We send a customized checklist based on your specific situation and follow up on missing items. Our secure portal makes it easy to upload documents as they arrive, no need to wait until you have everything.

When is the deadline to file my tax return?

How much does tax preparation cost?

What documents do I need for my tax appointment?

Do you offer audit support if I get audited?

Can you help with back taxes or unfiled returns?

Do you handle multi-state tax filing?

What's the difference between tax preparation and tax planning?

Can I file an extension if I'm not ready?

Do you handle cryptocurrency taxes?

How do you handle rental property taxes?

What self-employment deductions can I claim?

Do you serve businesses outside of Colorado?

What happens if I owe taxes I can't pay?

How long does tax preparation take?

How do I get started?

Denver Metro Cities Served

• Denver
• Aurora
• Lakewood
• Centennial
• Englewood
• Littleton
• Arvada
• Westminster
• Thornton
• Wheat Ridge
• Golden
• Highlands Ranch

Front Range Cities Served

• Colorado Springs
• Fort Collins
• Boulder
• Longmont
• Loveland
• Greeley
• Castle Rock
• Parker