Let’s face it—who really enjoys doing taxes? Almost no one. It’s that unavoidable chore we dread every year. While paying taxes is essential, the paperwork, numbers, and endless forms can feel like a major headache. But what if tax season could be easy, stress-free, and convenient? It can be—by letting a professional handle your taxes for you. Instead of spending your weekends buried in forms and schedules, hiring a tax advisor could be one of the best investments you make.
Many of us have tried tackling taxes using borrowed software, free online tools, or community workshops at the Libraries or Church. You likely questioned yourself whether you did it right. You probably realized later that you missed reporting items that could have reduced your tax liability. You hope that the errors in your tax return wont be uncovered.
Anyone who prepares or assists in preparing federal tax returns for compensation must have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) issued by IRS. However, while PTIN is necessary to sign the return, it is not sufficient indicator of tax knowledge or experience.
An enrolled agent (EA) is a person who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Enrolled agent status is the highest credential the IRS awards. Individuals who obtain this elite status must adhere to ethical standards and complete required # of hours of continuing education courses.
A trustworthy tax advisor stands out through qualifications, experience, and a comprehensive, client-focused approach. This level of expertise and care sets them apart from average tax preparers. They:
We, at RCS Tax Solutions, appreciate that you want to understand the preparation costs before you decide on your partner to help prepare and plan your taxes.
The national average for Tax preparation in a large city/suburb for Individual tax return with Itemized-Schedule A & State Returns is $387. However, the cost depends on the complexity of your tax situation, locality, qualification/experience of the tax pro, and how the fees are charged. When you hire experts—like tax pros, doctors and mechanics—it’s worth it to spend more cash to get the job done right the first time. Paying an extra $100–300 on the front end may be worth it in the long run, especially when that expert is thorough, accurate, and finds ways to minimize your taxes.
To help you estimate your costs, we provide a fee calculator that includes the most common forms and expat tax scenarios. Keep in mind this is just an estimate.
With over 81,000 tax preparers in the U.S. (excluding accountants as of May 2023 according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics) and countless DIY options, why should you choose us?
We use the client portal for a collaborative tax preparation, filing and follow-ups. Here is the TL; DR of the process, details are here.
To meet the IRS filing deadline of April 15th, we ask that you complete all three items by March 15th for individual returns. For more details on due dates please check our blog.