Tax Preparation Process

A brief overview of what to expect when you get your taxes filed by our office.

Step 1

Gather Your Documents

Click here for a tax preparation checklist on what to gather.

Step 2

Schedule Tax Appointment 

 

Click to Schedule an Appointment. This 30 minute appointment will hold a priority spot for your tax preparation. 

**NOTE: Returning clients aren’t required to schedule a tax appointment. Please text or email once you upload all your tax documents to the secure portal and are ready to proceed.

Step 3

Submit Tax Documents & Client Tax Organizer 

Previous Year Clients – A client tax organizer will be uploaded to your secure client portal account if you request one. If you don’t have access to the portal, contact me to create one. Complete the organizer and submit with your tax documents.

Ways to submit documents:

Upload: Secure File Portal
Fax: 832-383-3802
Mail: PO Box 581294, Elk Grove, CA 95758
Drop-off: I will allow limited drop-offs but client must schedule an appointment. This is for elderly and those that don’t have the ability to submit the other ways.

You can upload your online tax documents. If you need to scan documents and don’t have a scanner, I recommend downloading one of these free mobile scanner apps:

Genius Scan
Apple | Click Here to Download
Android | Click Here to Download
Adobe Scan
Apple | Click Here to Download
Android | Click Here to Download

Step 4

Review and payment

Once all information is received, your return will be prepared and uploaded to the client portal for your review. You’ll receive an invoice to make an online payment for services provided. After you’ve reviewed and there are no other changes, your e-signature form(s) will be sent via the client portal. 

Step 5

e-sign

After receiving your signatures, your return(s) will be e-filed.

Step 6

IRS Processes & Approves Return

The IRS and/or State will process your return. At this time, we have completed everything we can do in the tax preparation process unless you receive a letter in the mail. The IRS estimates that most refunds are released within 21 days. If your return is held by the PATH ACT (claiming EITC or ACTC), your refund will not be released until February 15 if you file early.

Use IRS “Where’s My Refund” to check on status of return and if refund was released.

FAQs

What are the benefits of Virtual Tax Preparation?

  • Virtual Tax Preparation allows you to still have your taxes completed by TACCT, without the need to bring binders of paperwork you collected to the office in order to file your tax returns. All documentation you received can be easily uploaded securely to TACCT without the need to leave your home or office. Even without a scanner, you can easily snap a picture of a tax document and upload it securely to the client Secure File Portal. Most companies provide digital copies of tax documents including W-2, Mortgage Interest, Investment Summary Reports and 1099s which makes uploading these documents extremely easy.

Is Virtual Tax Preparation secure?

  • While we cannot speak for other Virtual offices, we take client sensitive data security very seriously. The portal we use to exchange client information uses a high level of encryption technology; the same technology used to access your online banking information. Since your sensitive financial information is now stored in a highly secure cloud system rather than in a traditional filing cabinet at our local office, your information is much more protected and secure.

Is Virtual Tax Preparation less personal?

  • Most Virtual tax firms like TACCT use communication technology like Zoom to bridge the distance gap with their clients. Video Conference meetings allow both us and the client to see each other, just as if we were meeting in the same room.

What are the benefits of having digital tax records?

  • The IRS accepts digital versions of paper documents therefore, keeping all your records in a digital format allows you to save space and reduce the chance that important financial documents can become illegible or destroyed over time. Tax documents stored in a hot attic for seven years can become illegible, which can be a real issue if you were audited by the IRS. Virtual Tax Preparation allows you to download a copy of the Tax Return and store all documents indefinitely without the need to print out any documentation.

Client Portal