Tax Return and Planning

Texas doesn’t require you to use a CPA, but tax law changes every year, and a return prepared without a professional review often misses deductions and credits you’re entitled to. A licensed CPA can also represent you directly if the IRS has questions later, which a seasonal tax preparer usually can’t do.

Tax preparation is filling out and filing your return for the year that’s already ended. Tax planning happens before year-end and looks at your income, business structure, and expenses so you owe less when tax season arrives. We work with Texas clients on both, but planning is where most of the real savings happen.

Ideally in the third quarter of the current year, once you have a good estimate of your income. Waiting until January leaves very few options on the table — most tax-saving moves have to happen before December 31.

 Yes. Since Texas has no state income tax, many of our clients are surprised to learn they still owe tax elsewhere — rental property, remote work for an out-of-state employer, or a business with nexus in another state can all create a filing requirement. We handle multi-state returns regularly.

Your prior year’s tax return, current pay stubs or business P&L, any 1099s or K-1s you’ve already received, and a rough list of major life changes — a new business, a home purchase, marriage, or a new dependent. That’s usually enough for us to build an initial plan.