individual tax preparation process
The process for preparing an individual tax return starts with my Client Letter. When you choose to use WBWilson Tax Service to prepare your personal tax return, upon contacting me, you will receive a password to access this letter on my website. This letter covers all the basic information needed in order to prepare your tax return. The purpose of this letter is to make the process as smooth and efficient as possible, avoiding any possible additional work for you or me.
My approach to preparing tax returns is somewhat unique in comparison to the “big box” tax preparation businesses. Since I work out of my home, I generally do not have clients come to my office to have their tax returns prepared. Instead, clients send me their tax information and related documents in one of two ways: (1) Through a secure client portal (via SmartVault), or (2) USPS or overnight mail. The use of SmartVault (a fully encrypted and completely secure client portal) is the most efficient and expedient method for sending tax documents (uploaded in electronic format (PDF, JPEG, Excel, Word, etc.), and will allow for the historical storing of all tax documents, including your tax returns. (This is the method I recommend to all my clients.) When a client is not quite so tech savvy, or prefers to send hard copies of documents rather than upload electronic copies, sending copies via USPS or overnight mail is the other option. However, because the use of USPS or overnight mail is less efficient and more time consuming, it will extend the tax-filing process and the time in which you receive any tax refund that may be due to you.
From time to time, when the locality of a client makes it practical, I will schedule an in-home tax prep appointment. This allows for a more efficient process of preparing your tax returns since all of your necessary tax information is normally close at hand. With this approach, your tax returns are able to be completed and are ready for filing during that single in-home appointment; this eliminates the need for any follow-up appointment and/or phone conference in order to finalize the returns. If payment is due to the IRS and/or state or you are required to make estimated tax payments, you will receive the appropriate payment voucher(s) and/or estimated tax payment vouchers. It is the client’s sole responsibility to mail any payment due to the appropriate tax authorities by the payment due date. All in-home appointments are made on a first come, first-served basis.
In an effort to ensure your tax returns are filed in a timely manner, the deadline for receiving your tax documents either in person, via mail or our secure client portal is March 31. After this date, I cannot assure that your tax returns will be completed in time for you to file by the April 17, 2018 deadline. In that event, I will be filing an automatic six-month extension to file your tax return. Please keep in mind that even though your tax filing deadline has been extended, payment of any taxes that will be due when you file your tax return is due on or before the tax filing deadline. Accordingly, you will be responsible for making the necessary tax payments on or before the payment due date.
Unless you request otherwise, all returns are filed electronically, except where prohibited by IRS Rules. If you choose to have your tax returns filed as a paper copy, there are additional fees for this process.
All clients are asked to complete a Client Information Form each year in order to better ensure the accuracy of information on file with WBWilson Tax Service and, as required by law, with the IRS. Click here to access the Client Information Form.