Frequently Asked Questions
Working With Us
How much does it cost to have my taxes prepared?
It depends on complexity — a straightforward individual return is very different from an S corporation with payroll and multi-state income. We quote a price after the free consultation and before any work starts, so there are no surprise invoices.
Do you offer a free consultation?
Yes. It's a no-obligation conversation: bring last year's return and your questions, get a straight assessment of your situation, and decide afterward. There's no contract to sign to get it.
How do I switch from my current accountant?
Easier than people expect. You don't need to notify them first. We request your prior returns and depreciation schedules, review them for anything missed, and take it from there. Mid-year switches are common.
Do I have to come to the office?
No. Many clients work with us entirely by phone, email and secure document exchange. If you'd rather sit down, we're at 1892 Greentree Road, Suite 2 in Cherry Hill, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
What areas do you serve?
Cherry Hill, Haddonfield, Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Marlton and the surrounding South Jersey communities, plus clients elsewhere who work with us remotely.
Taxes
What should I bring to my tax appointment?
Last year's return, all W-2s, 1099s and K-1s, business income and expense records, mortgage interest and property tax statements, retirement contribution records, and documentation for any property bought or sold.
I live in NJ and work in Philadelphia. How does that work?
New Jersey and Pennsylvania have a reciprocal agreement for wage income, but Philadelphia's city wage tax is handled separately and generates a credit on your NJ return. It's a common source of overpayment when it's filed wrong. We handle these regularly.
When are quarterly estimated taxes due?
Generally April, June, September and the following January. If you're self-employed or an S-corp owner, we calculate and adjust these through the year so you aren't guessing.
I haven't filed in a few years. Can you help?
Yes. Catching up voluntarily is almost always better than waiting for the IRS to act, and penalties are often reducible. We'll sort out which years are outstanding and file them in the right order.
What happens if I get an IRS or New Jersey notice?
Send it to us before you respond or pay. A large share of notices are wrong or partly wrong, and many have short deadlines. As a CPA, Dan can represent you directly.
Business
Should my LLC elect S corporation status?
It can save meaningful self-employment tax once profit is high enough, but it adds payroll requirements and requires a defensible salary. The right answer depends on your numbers — we'll model it.
What's a reasonable salary for an S-corp owner?
It has to reflect what you'd pay someone else to do your job, considering your industry, hours and role. Setting it too low is a well-known audit trigger. We document the reasoning behind whatever figure we use.
Can you clean up bookkeeping that's fallen behind?
Yes. Catch-up bookkeeping is one of our most common first engagements, and it's usually a prerequisite for filing an accurate return anyway.
Do you handle payroll?
Yes — payroll runs, withholding, quarterly filings and year-end W-2s and 1099s.
When should a new business talk to a CPA?
Before you form the entity. Entity choice, registration, accounting setup and payroll are cheap to get right at the start and expensive to unwind later.
Planning & Estates
What does the PFS credential mean?
Personal Financial Specialist — a financial planning credential available only to CPAs. It means the planning advice comes from someone who also knows your tax return in detail.
Does New Jersey still have an estate tax?
New Jersey repealed its estate tax, but the **inheritance tax still exists** and applies based on the beneficiary's relationship to the person who died. Close relatives are generally exempt; others are not. This is the detail that surprises most families.
I've been named executor. What do I need to file?
Typically a final individual return for the decedent, an estate income tax return if the estate earns income, and any applicable inheritance tax filing. We'll map out exactly what applies and work alongside the estate attorney.
