Done right the first time
Professional preparation with CPA review, clean workpapers, and supportable reporting based on your documents.
Basic Tax Preparation (W-2 Form 1040)
A professional alternative to DIY software and retail prep. Your W-2 1040 is prepared accurately, explained clearly, and filed on time.
W-2 focused
Clear scope. Fixed fee.
CPA review
This is for straightforward W-2 taxpayers who want it done correctly without the TurboTax learning curve or the retail prep treadmill.
Current-law filing: We prepare your return based on current IRS/state guidance and the documents you provide, with clean workpapers and a clear explanation of the result.
Fit check
Is this you?
You’re a fit for this service if some of these sound familiar:
- You have a straightforward W-2 return and want a CPA to handle it end-to-end.
- You may have common add-ons like interest income (1099-INT), small dividends (1099-DIV), or a simple retirement form (1099-R).
- You don’t want DIY tax software, and you don’t want the retail prep experience (upsells, rushed interviews, refund-based fees).
- You want clean, accurate preparation, clear explanations, and a predictable process.
- You value documentation, secure upload, and a professional standard of care.
Outcomes
What you get with Basic Tax Preparation
Simple, fast, predictable
A streamlined intake and upload process designed for straightforward W-2 returns and common add-ons.
Clear explanation
We summarize what changed, why you owe or get a refund, and what to adjust for next year if needed.
No retail nonsense
No refund-based fees, no product pitching, no surprise add-ons after the fact. Scope is confirmed up front.
Scope
What’s included in Basic Tax Preparation
1. Federal & state return preparation
- Prepare and e-file your federal Form 1040.
- Prepare and e-file required state return(s) based on your residency and income sources.
- Prepare local returns where applicable (city, school district, county) when straightforward.
2. W-2 income & withholding reconciliation
- W-2 wages (including multiple W-2s) and withholding reconciliation.
- Employer benefits items commonly reflected on the W-2 (health coverage indicators, retirement plan checkbox, etc.).
- Basic validation of totals for accuracy and completeness based on provided documents.
3. Common basic income forms
- Interest income (1099-INT) and ordinary dividends (1099-DIV) when straightforward.
- Unemployment (1099-G) when applicable.
- Simple retirement distributions and rollovers (1099-R) when clearly documented.
4. Standard deductions & common credits
- Standard deduction and common adjustments where applicable (student loan interest, IRA contributions with support).
- Dependents and common credits when straightforward (Child Tax Credit, Credit for Other Dependents).
- Education credits only when facts are straightforward and documents are complete (1098-T).
5. Filing, delivery, and documentation
- Secure upload and document checklist.
- Draft return and plain-English summary for your review before filing.
- E-file authorization and delivery of final copies after acceptance.
6. Basic payment & refund guidance
- Guidance on how to pay balances due (federal/state) and avoid late-payment issues.
- Direct deposit/refund setup guidance based on the information you provide.
7. Routine notices related to our work
- Review and respond to routine IRS/state notices related to returns we prepared (when limited in scope).
- If something expands beyond routine, we’ll scope representation separately.
8. Fit confirmation & tier upgrade when needed
- If we discover complexity during intake (K-1s, significant investments, multiple states, Schedule C, rentals, crypto, etc.), we’ll pause and recommend the correct tier.
- No surprise prep: scope and pricing are confirmed before work begins.
Guardrails
What’s not included in this service
We keep this engagement simple and cost-effective
To keep this engagement focused and predictable, the following are not part of Basic Tax Preparation:
- Self-employment income (Schedule C), even if “small” or “side income” (handled in the Professional tier).
- Rental real estate (Schedule E), K-1s (partnership/S-corp/trust), or multi-entity situations.
- Multiple-state filings, nonresident returns, or complex residency situations (scoped separately).
- Marketplace health insurance reconciliation (1095-A / Form 8962).
- Significant investment activity (large 1099-B volume, complex basis adjustments, RSUs/ISOs/ESPP complexity beyond basic reporting).
- Crypto, NFTs, gambling logs, or high-volume transaction summaries.
- Representation in audits, appeals, or collections beyond routine notice responses.
- Proactive tax planning, multi-year strategy, and “what-if” projections (separate engagement).
If you’re not sure which tier fits, we’ll confirm quickly during intake and route you to the right option.
Process
How the process works
1
Quick intake
You answer a short questionnaire so we can confirm this is a basic W-2 fit and identify any “upgrade triggers” before prep starts.
2
Engagement & secure upload
You e-sign the engagement letter, pay the initial fee, and upload your W-2 and supporting documents through a secure portal.
3
Preparation & CPA review
We prepare your return, reconcile key items, and send you a clear summary plus draft copies for review.
4
Questions & approval
You ask questions, we clarify anything needed, and you approve the final return before filing.
5
E-file & delivery
Once paid in full, we e-file your return(s) and provide final copies and basic payment/refund guidance.
Pricing overview
What this typically costs
See Pricing MatrixFees for Basic Tax Preparation are fixed up front based on scope. This tier is designed for straight W-2 1040 situations with limited add-ons.
Most clients in this service fall into a basic 1040 pricing band. The price point for this tier is designed to start in the $400–$850 range depending on forms and complexity (for example: number of W-2s, state filings, retirement forms, dependents, and basic credits). We confirm fit during intake, quote a fixed fee, and begin only after you approve the scope. Returns are not filed or released until the engagement fee is paid in full.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do you take your fee out of my refund?
No. Our fee is not paid from your refund and is not contingent on the size of your refund. All fees are paid directly to the firm and must be paid in full before we file or release your return.
Is this meant to compete with TurboTax and retail prep?
Yes. This is the “done-for-you” version of a basic W-2 return: you get CPA preparation, clear explanations, and a predictable process without the DIY friction or retail upsells.
What counts as “basic” for this service?
Typically: W-2 income (including multiple W-2s), a straightforward state return, and limited add-ons like interest/dividends, simple 1099-R items, and common credits. If you have Schedule C, rentals, multiple states, Marketplace insurance, K-1s, heavy investing activity, or crypto, you’ll likely need a different tier.
Can you also help with tax planning?
Yes, but planning is a separate engagement. We start by getting the return filed accurately, then we can add planning if your situation benefits from it.
What if I’m missing documents?
We can help you identify what’s missing, but we can’t file without complete documents. If there’s significant reconstruction needed, we’ll scope that separately or recommend the right tier.
Want a basic W-2 return handled professionally, without the DIY or retail experience?
Tell us what you have this year (W-2s, state(s), dependents, any 1099s, retirement forms), and we’ll confirm fit, scope the engagement, and quote a fixed fee before any work begins.
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