How long does an IRS office audit usually last?

Many office audit meetings last one to several hours, although the overall examination may continue for weeks or months if additional documentation is requested.

Can I reschedule my audit appointment?

In many situations the IRS will consider reasonable requests to reschedule an appointment, particularly when additional time is needed to gather records or when scheduling conflicts exist.

What happens if I cannot locate all of my records?

Missing documentation does not necessarily end the examination, but taxpayers should attempt to reconstruct records whenever possible using bank statements, invoices, duplicate receipts, accounting reports, or other available evidence.

Can my CPA attend the audit instead of me?

Depending on the issues involved, a properly authorized representative may communicate with the IRS and, in many cases, attend meetings on the taxpayer's behalf. Certain examinations may still require information directly from the taxpayer.

Does an office audit mean I did something wrong?

No. An audit simply means the IRS wants to verify one or more items reported on a tax return. Many audits conclude with no change or are resolved after the requested documentation is provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about pricing, production scheduling, documents, tax preparation, filing, and working with TaxReturn.cpa? Start here.

Getting Started

Do I need to schedule a consultation before becoming a client?

No. The standard TaxReturn.cpa process does not require a consultation. Start with the See Your Price questionnaire. Based on the information you provide, we identify the preparation level that appears to fit your return and show you the price before you decide whether to move forward.

How do I find out what my tax return will cost?

Complete the See Your Price questionnaire. Individual tax preparation currently starts at $650 for Standard returns, $995 for Plus returns, and $1,495 for Complex returns. Advanced returns are individually scoped and priced.

What happens after I decide to move forward?

We create your client relationship through Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC. You receive an electronic engagement agreement, review and sign it, and pay the applicable fee. After engagement and payment, you select from the production dates that remain available.

Is TaxReturn.cpa a separate tax company?

No. TaxReturn.cpa is an individual tax preparation service of Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC. The digital experience is branded as TaxReturn.cpa, but professional tax services are provided through the CPA firm.

Pricing & Preparation Levels

What is the difference between Standard, Plus, Complex, and Advanced?

Standard is designed for relatively straightforward individual returns. Plus generally covers a return with one meaningful additional area of complexity, such as a Schedule C business, rental property, K-1, or additional state. Complex is designed for returns with multiple complexity areas or more substantial tax issues. Advanced is used when the return requires individual scope review.

What if my return is more complicated than the questionnaire suggested?

Pricing is based on the information provided during intake. If the documents you later provide reveal materially greater complexity, we will let you know before performing work outside the agreed scope. Additional work is not simply added without addressing the change with you.

Do you charge separately for every tax form?

Generally, no. TaxReturn.cpa uses preparation levels based on the overall complexity of the return rather than presenting a long menu of per-form charges. The complete facts and circumstances still determine the appropriate level.

When do I pay?

Payment is made as part of the engagement process before your production date is selected. The specific payment and cancellation terms applicable to your engagement are stated in the engagement agreement you receive before signing.

Production Scheduling

What is a production date?

Your production date is the date your completed tax information is scheduled to enter our preparation workflow. It is not an appointment, and you do not need to be available for a meeting that day.

Can I see availability before becoming a client?

The TaxReturn.cpa experience is designed to make current production availability visible before you commit. Once your engagement is signed and payment is complete, you select an available production date.

Does my production date mean my return will be completed that same day?

No. The production date is when your completed information enters the preparation process. Preparation, follow-up questions when necessary, professional review, client review, signatures, and electronic filing occur after production begins.

What happens if my documents are not ready by my production date?

The production calendar depends on each client being ready when their reserved place arrives. If required information is incomplete, your production slot may be released and your return may need to be rescheduled to a later available date.

Organizer & Documents

Why do you ask for my prior-year tax return?

Your prior-year return gives us useful background about your tax situation and may allow us to create a more customized organizer based on information reported in the prior year.

What if I do not have my prior-year return?

You can still move forward. If we do not receive the prior-year return within the requested timeframe, we can send our standard organizer instead of a prior-year-customized organizer.

How do I send my tax documents?

Tax documents are uploaded through the firm's secure client portal. The digital workflow is designed to avoid sending sensitive tax documents through ordinary email.

Will you tell me which documents you need?

Yes. Your organizer helps identify the information relevant to your return. Depending on your tax situation, this may include W-2s, 1099s, brokerage statements, K-1s, rental information, business income and expenses, estimated tax payments, and other relevant documents.

Married Couples

What if my spouse and I file a joint return?

Both taxpayers should be identified during intake so the client record and engagement can reflect both spouses. The engagement agreement can list both taxpayers even when only one spouse is required to sign the engagement agreement under the firm's engagement process.

Will both spouses have to sign the tax return?

For a jointly filed income tax return, the required tax filing authorizations generally need to be completed by both taxpayers before the joint return can be electronically filed.

What We Prepare

What kinds of individual returns do you prepare?

We prepare individual Form 1040 returns ranging from relatively straightforward filings to returns involving self-employment, Schedule C businesses, rental property, K-1 income, investments, stock sales, RSUs, stock options, business ownership, and multiple states.

Do you prepare business tax returns?

Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC prepares business tax returns, but they are separate from the standard TaxReturn.cpa individual-return workflow and require a separate engagement.

Do you prepare trust or estate income tax returns?

Trust and estate returns are not handled through the standard TaxReturn.cpa Form 1040 workflow. Those inquiries can be routed to Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC for separate consideration.

Do you prepare amended tax returns?

Amended returns are separate from the standard current-year TaxReturn.cpa preparation engagement and may require separate scope and pricing.

What if I receive an IRS or state tax notice?

Tax notices, audits, examinations, and tax controversy matters are separate professional services. Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC handles tax representation matters separately from the standard TaxReturn.cpa preparation engagement.

Preparation, Review & Filing

Is my return prepared by artificial intelligence?

No. We use professional tax technology to help organize documents, prepare workpapers, improve workflow, and support the preparation and review process. Technology does not replace the professional responsibility of Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC.

Will my return be reviewed before filing?

Yes. Your return moves through the firm's professional preparation and review process before it is delivered to you for final review, authorization, and filing.

Will I get to review my return before it is filed?

Yes. Your completed return is delivered securely for your review before electronic filing. Required filing authorizations must be completed before we transmit the return.

How will I receive my completed return?

Your completed tax return and related filing documents are delivered electronically through the secure client portal.

Extensions & Filing Deadlines

What if my production date is after the April filing deadline?

An extension may be appropriate when a return cannot be completed by the original filing deadline. Filing an extension generally provides additional time to file the return, but it does not generally extend the deadline for paying tax that is due.

Does filing an extension mean something is wrong with my return?

No. Extensions are a normal part of the tax filing system and are commonly used when additional information or time is needed to prepare an accurate return.

Year-Round CPA Support

Do I have to join a membership to have my tax return prepared?

No. Preparation Only is available without a year-round membership.

What are Coastline and Meridian?

Coastline and Meridian are year-round service options that include the individual tax return along with additional CPA support. Meridian provides a more proactive relationship with expanded support and tax planning.

When can I enroll in a membership?

The membership year runs from November 1 through October 31. New membership enrollment is available from November 1 through April 1.

Changes & Cancellations

What if I change my mind after becoming a client?

Contact the firm as soon as possible. Once onboarding, organizer setup, document processing, or professional work has begun, the firm may already have incurred costs or performed services. Cancellation and refund rights are governed by the engagement agreement you review before becoming a client.

What if I decide not to answer additional questions or provide requested documents?

We need sufficient information to prepare a complete and supportable tax return. If required information is not provided, we may be unable to complete the engagement. The engagement agreement explains the parties' responsibilities and the terms that apply if the work cannot continue.

Working With Us Online

Do I need to live in Orange County?

No. TaxReturn.cpa is designed as a digital tax preparation service. Boulanger CPA and Consulting PC maintains an Orange County presence, but the client experience is built to work securely online.

Do I have to come into an office?

No. The standard TaxReturn.cpa workflow is digital. Intake, engagement, document collection, communication, tax return review, signatures, and delivery can be handled online.

Ready to Get Started?

Answer a few questions about your tax situation to see your preparation level, price, and current production availability.

See Your Price