To begin your tax preparation please take the following steps:

1. Complete the Client Organizer and return it to us along with any documentation as listed above.
2. Sign the enclosed Engagement Agreement and return it to us along with the Client Organizer.
3. Include a check for either one-half of your prior year invoice (if you are a returning client) or one-half of your estimate (if you are a new client).

We emailed business checklists and a new individual Organizer in January. If you didn’t receive the Organizer/Checklist email or need us to resend it please contact our office at (503)891-6659 or info@ataxpros.com.

Business Returns:

This is a reminder that corporate returns are due on March 15th. To guarantee your returns are completed by the deadline we need to receive your documentation in our office by Monday February 22nd. If you are a returning client and we have not filed your returns by the filing deadline we will automatically file an extension on your behalf so that you will not incur late filing penalties. The extension will extend the filing deadline to September 15th.
Business Clients:

Please review the following checklist to ensure that we have all the information we need to effectively prepare your business returns.

Corporation Checklist

Partnership Checklist

If you do not have formal bookkeeping also refer to:

Business Expense Categories

Business Penalties and Interest:

The tax filing deadline for business returns is March 15th. Penalties for
late filing increased to $195 per partner/shareholder/member per month.To guarantee your business returns are filed by the deadline submit your complete documentation by February 22nd. Filing an extension will postpone the penalty, but not any tax due.

Individual Returns:

Your individual returns are due April 15th. To complete your individual returns by the deadline we need to receive your documentation in our office by Monday March 15th. If you are an owner of an S-corporation your business returns must be complete to file your individual returns. If you are a returning client and we have not filed your individual returns by the filing deadline we will automatically file an extension on your behalf so that you will not incur late filing penalties.

Please review the following checklist to ensure that we have all the information we need to effectively prepare your returns.  Please use either the Individual Organizer or the Individual Checklist, not both.

Individual Organizer or Individual Checklist

Rental Worksheet

Individual Penalties and Interest:

If you owe taxes and do not pay by the filing deadline, April 15th, please be aware that you will incur late payment penalties and interest. An extension avoids late filing penalties but does not avoid late payment penalties or interest. Because the calculation of penalties and interest is complex and time consuming we are unable to provide complimentary estimates of your tax, penalties or interest (these calculations may be available at an hourly rate of $150/hour). For further information on the calculation of penalties and interest go to http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc653.html or contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

Thank you,

Affiliated Tax Pros, LLC

All Mac Versions of Quickbooks: send a backup file (.qbmb).

PC Versions of Quickbooks 2007 and earlier: send a backup file (.qbb).

PC Versions of QuickBooks 2008-2010: send the Accountant’s Copy and we will send you back a file that will automatically import our adjustments.  You can continue to work in your books while we are using the Accountant’s Copy.

How to send a Quickbooks Backup file (.qbb or .qbmb):

1. In the File menu, choose Save Copy or Backup
2. Choose Backup copy
3. Choose Local Backup
4. Browse to choose a location for your backup copy such as your desktop (or whever is easy for you to access if you are going to attach your .qbb file to an e-mail) or to a disk or flash drive if you will be bringing a copy to us physically.  QuickBooks may warn you about saving backups on the same drive as your working copy, but this is only a temporary safety measure.
5. Choose Save it now.

How to send the Quickbooks Accountant’s Copy:

1. In the File menu, choose Accountant’s Copy and Send to Accountant.
2. You’ll be asked to select a Dividing Date. Usually this would be the end of the month or the year. You can continue to work on transactions after the Dividing Date. If you’re not sure what date to choose, give us a call at 503-891-6659.
3. Enter info@ataxpros.com in the accountant’s e-mail address and re-enter to verify that the email address is correct.
4. Enter your name and e-mail address in the appropriate fields.
5. Create a password and enter it in both fields.  If you already use a password to open your QB file, then you can use it here – only if it is a strong password (at least seven characters, at least one number, and at least one uppercase).
6. *Optional* If there is anything special that you’d like us to know, then you can enter your note in the box below.

How to import the Accountant’s Changes:

1. Our Accountant’s Changes (.qby) file may arrive via email, CD, Zip disk or flash drive. Emailed files should be saved to your hard drive before importing.
2. In the File menu, select Accountant’s Copy and Import Accountant’s Changes. Select the file we sent you and click Open.
3. QuickBooks will display the adjustments we’ve made. (You can click on the “+” next to each entry to see the details.) Click on the Import button to begin.
4. QuickBooks will tell you that “You must back up your data before importing Accountant Changes.” Click OK.
5. Choose a folder on your hard drive or the “Desktop” for your backup copy. QuickBooks may warn you about saving backups on the same drive as your working copy, but this is only a temporary safety measure. Click Save.
6. When QuickBooks tells you the backup was successful, click OK.
7. QuickBooks will show you the list of adjustments again. (If you see any warnings — marked by a yellow triangle — contact us for help.) We suggest you print the list for your records.

Call us to set up a consultation! We will evaluate your business plan to determine the best solution for your circumstances and cover issues regarding bookkeeping, payroll, business expenses and legal formalities. Then leave it all up to us! We will file all necessary forms to start your business off on the right foot. Call us today for more information! 503-891-6659.

Here at Affiliated Tax Pros we spend most of our time diligently working on your bookkeeping or tax projects; occasionally we sneak off to the back parking lot to tend to our garden. Below are some photos of our gardens.

We invite you to join us in our reduction of paper materials by using electronic media and electronic communication whenever possible. The overwhelming majority of our correspondence is now by email. Also, we file all qualifying tax returns electronically. This means faster filing and no paper. For faster refunds and to help reduce the need for paper checks please include your routing and bank account numbers and we will have your refunds direct deposited. Also, beginning this year we will provide you with copies of your tax returns and supporting documentation on electronic media rather than the paper packets we have provided in the past (printed copies are available by request).