Pricing and Policies

One of the questions I get asked most is “How do you charge, and how much do you charge?”.  The guide below provides pricing guidance for services.  After an initial consultation, I will provide you with a proposal and work can only commence once an engagement letter is signed by the client and myself.

Initial Consultation
20 minute phone consultations are complimentary.  I would like to understand what your needs are and how I can help.  Once we determine we are a good fit to work together, I provide a proposal and fee range for the services you request from me.   Work will only commence once both parties (client and CPA) sign an engagement letter.  

Personal Annual Tax Return Charges
I provide personal tax services starting at $550 for basic returns including one state (client does not have rental, business (schedule C) or complex investment income). Returns are priced based on complexity. As a guide, a majority of our personal return fees are between $550-950. Filing fee of $60 is added to each return filed.

Business Annual Tax Return Charges
Business return services are priced based on complexity. Corporate returns (1120), S-Corporation (1120S) and Partnership (1065) returns start at $1000 (including one state). Filing fee of $60 is added to each return filed.

Estate and Gift Tax Returns
Estate and gift tax return services are priced based on complexity starting at $550 Filing fee of $65 is added to each return.

Tax Planning

Annual tax planning is provided to clients and priced on complexity. Tax plans include estimated tax calculations, coupons for submitted estimated taxes and recommendations to optimize your tax structure. Basic tax plans begin at $750.

Bookkeeping

Our firm provides bookkeeping set-up and clean-up services to business owners. Bookkeeping set-up and clean-up services are priced on complexity of the job. Bookkeeping services are provided to clients as a part of a comprehensive package which includes bookkeeping, annual tax return preparation and tax planning.

Business Registration and S-Corp Elections

Our firm assists clients in registering LLCs within North Carolina. For set-up of a new LLC in NC, our firm charges $350 which includes obtaining your IRS required EIN and NC Secretary of State fees initial for set-up of the LLC.

Obtaining a NC sales tax ID, NC withholding number or NC Unemployment ID are performed for $100 each

S-Corp election forms are prepared for $450 (includes faxing completed form to IRS)

Key Policies

• Payment for tax return services must be made prior to filing with the taxing authorities.
• If you are a new client, my policy is to meet with you (in-person or virtually).  For all tax return work, I require you to provide a form of government issued ID (Driver’s license, state ID card or US passport) for each adult listed on the tax return.  This is also an IRS requirement.
• I accept credit card payments with a 3% convenience fee added to the final invoice; e-check, check and cash payments incur no additional fees.
• Checks are accepted and should be made payable to Jennings Smith, CPA, PLLC.
• All other terms of engagement covered by engagement letter which is required to be signed prior to work commencing.