Friendly Tax Consults

FAQs

Are you doing these online, or in person?

Either works! … with this caveat:

For in person, I primarily work in North Seattle. There is a FREE meeting zone - between the Ship Canal and 145th Street.

Outside of that area, it might be possible - it will depend on your location and the date. There is a $40 travel fee for most locations outside the free zone.

How do sessions work?

We can use the session however you want. It can be one or a combo of:

Working session
We can: collect numbers, find receipts, add things up, get prepped to file, work on required forms, refine your systems for more ease. We can also send in estimated quarterly tax payments, or work on filling out 1099s or w-9s.

Filing session
We can file IRS taxes (the small business section), WA state, or for Seattle. I can be your wingwoman, or personal guide - whatever you need.

A tutorial / walkthrough / overview
We talk through whatever you need to get clear and ready - could be an overview of tax season, walkthroughs of specific tasks, demos on how to file. And/or how to manage the project, so it fits your style and calendar.

Questions / Fill in the Gaps
I can answer questions, review your systems, look for anything missing.

Do you work with S-Corps?

Yes and No.
No - I cannot help with the specifics of filing IRS taxes. Nor with payroll.
Yes - I can help with a tax season overview, IRS business deductions, filing local taxes, providing 1099s, creating your systems for tracking all this work.

Are you a tax specialist? / Are you trained as an accountant?

Not exactly, and no.
My specialty is friendly tax education and support.

I’m self-trained - and have been doing this work for over 10 years! My specialty is making taxes doable, and even fun, for everyday people. This includes a focus on the fundamentals of taxes and number tracking, and how to set up systems that work for you.

Sometimes clients will still need a tax specialist. My goal is to set you up with a solid foundation of understanding, so you can be more confident and clear when meeting others for guidance or advice.

What do I need to do to prepare for this consult?

Preparation is optional. Any work you do ahead will help us get more done during session. Having said that, if this topic is stressful, you can just show up, and we’ll figure it out together.

Possible ways to prepare:

• Write down your list of questions - OR - the list of tasks you want to get through

• List any roadblocks, or why this is hard

• Collect any documents you have questions about - letters or forms from the government

• Have access to your bookkeeping system, if you have one

• Collect all your log-ins and passwords - to government sites, payment processors, or commercial sites

• Journal - How will I feel if I get all of this done? What might be a nice reward?

I didn’t get as prepared as I hoped … should I cancel the consult?

Please, I encourage you to keep the consult. We can still get a lot done - and it will ensure that you make progress on this important work. One of the biggest pitfalls is postponing it, or trying to do hard stuff alone. I’m here for you!

I feel really behind, overwhelmed, and/or unorganized. Are you willing to work with me?

Absolutely!

One of my favorite things is to help people get unburied and unburdened from this. Strangely, I really enjoy turning tax chaos into order, and/or facing whatever dragons are in your way. We will go step-by-step through the work, at whatever pace feels good to you.

It will be my joy to bring you some ease and sanity!

I already have an accountant … or plan to get one. Is there still work I need to do?

Yes!
You’ll still need to collect all the numbers and forms - that the accountant needs to file your taxes. Things like - gross sales, business deductions by category. If they are filing your WA taxes, they made need additional numbers too.

Some accountants do city and state taxes, some do not. So you may need to learn how to file those taxes too.

If you give you all my stuff, can you file taxes for me?

Sorry, I am not set up for that. My focus is on tax education and hands-on help - to assist you to go through the process.

Accountants are trained on all of the tax return (beyond the small business part), they often have robust software and security practices, and are up-to-date on all the current rules. This exceeds my wheelhouse - which includes the fundamentals of tax, and help you get the basic lay of the land. Click here to see a list of recommended Accountants.

Why do you get so excited about taxes?

I get excited about cool women doing work they love! And staying in business, making a job where they can be a light, and shine, and thrive.

Part of this means taming taxes. For so many people, this is a scary and overwhelming thing. If ignored, it becomes a major anxiety, and can be heavy weight that pulls down one’s motivation, or even the whole business.

I want to see womxn FREE and EMPOWERED. When we work on taxes, we turn anxiety into calm, we free up part of the brain to work on other stuff, and new confidence follows.

So women can keep shining and spreading their magic.

I can’t wait to help you get your tax + business chores done, and off your list!