Do I need to file a tax return if I had little or no income?
It depends on your total income, filing status, and age. The IRS sets annual filing thresholds and if you fall below them you technically may not be required to file. However, self-employment income over $400 always triggers a filing requirement regardless of your total income.
Even when not required, filing is often worth it. If taxes were withheld from any income during the year, or if you qualify for refundable credits, you can only recover that money by filing a return. When in doubt, we recommend filing.
Can I deduct home office expenses?
If you are self-employed, yes. The space must be used regularly and exclusively for business. You can calculate the deduction using either the simplified method (a flat rate per square foot) or the regular method based on actual proportional expenses.
Employees working from home cannot claim this deduction. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 eliminated it for W-2 employees and that has not changed.
How long does it take to get my refund?
E-file with direct deposit is the fastest route available. The IRS typically issues refunds within 21 days of accepting the return. Paper returns or mailed checks take significantly longer — paper returns alone can take six to eight weeks to process.
If your return includes the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, federal law requires the IRS to hold those refunds until at least mid-February even if you file in January.
Should I take the standard deduction or itemize?
For most people, the standard deduction is now larger. The 2017 tax reform roughly doubled the standard amounts, which reduced the share of taxpayers who benefit from itemizing. Itemizing only makes sense if your qualifying deductions — mortgage interest, medical expenses above the threshold, state and local taxes up to the $10,000 cap, and charitable contributions — total more than the standard deduction for your filing status.
We run both calculations for every return and use whichever produces the lower tax bill.
Can you help with tax planning, not just tax preparation?
Yes. Tax preparation accounts for what already happened. Tax planning is about making decisions now that reduce your bill come filing time. We work with clients throughout the year to identify strategies before the year closes.
If you are consistently surprised by what you owe in April, a mid-year planning conversation is the most effective thing you can do. The earlier in the year you start, the more options are available.
How do I know if I need to pay estimated quarterly taxes?
If you are self-employed, run a business, or have significant income with no withholding, you likely owe quarterly estimated payments. The IRS expects taxes to be paid as income is earned throughout the year, not as a lump sum at filing.
You can avoid underpayment penalties by paying at least 90% of your current year liability, or 100% of the prior year tax (110% if your prior year adjusted gross income exceeded $150,000). Missed quarters can result in penalties that add up quickly. We can calculate the right payment amounts and schedule for your situation.
Should my spouse and I file jointly or separately?
Married Filing Jointly produces a lower total tax bill for most couples. The income thresholds are more favorable, and many deductions and credits phase out faster or are unavailable when filing separately.
There are situations where separate filing makes sense — most commonly when one spouse has large medical expenses or is on an income-driven student loan repayment plan. We compare both scenarios for every married client and recommend the one that saves you more.
Do you offer virtual or remote tax services?
Yes. We handle everything remotely for clients who prefer it. Documents can be shared securely online, consultations are available by phone or video, and signatures are completed digitally. The service is identical to an in-person meeting, just more flexible.
Book an appointment and we will walk you through what we need. It is a straightforward process.