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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  How long have you been in business?    
A:  Our company was founded in Little Rock in 1962.

Q:  How much do you charge to prepare individual tax returns?    
A:  We charge per schedule(s) that we prepare.  Our fees include the preparation of one state return.  Clients tell us that our rates are very competitive.  Once we have an understanding of your particular tax situation, we can provide a quotation before we prepare the return.

Q:  My previous preparer was open only during tax season.  Will you be available at other times of the year?    
A:  Yes.  We are here full-time and available for consultation or to provide copies of your returns all year long.

Q:  What are your qualifications for preparing taxes?    
A:  Debbie Dobbs has an Accounting Degree from the University of Arkansas and is an Enrolled Agent, licensed by the Treasury Department to practice and represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service?  She has 30 years of experience in tax preparation and is required to take many hours of continuing education each year in order to maintain her standing with the IRS.  This ensures that she is knowledgeable of the most current tax law changes.

Q:  Do you prepare tax returns for states other than Arkansas?    
A:  Yes.  We prepare returns for all states that have state income taxes, including those states that have local and city taxes.

Q:  What if I have not filed previous year(s) returns?    
A:  We can prepare the returns for those years but all previous years cannot be files electronically but must be mailed.  BE AWARE THAT THE IRS WILL NOT PROVIDE REFUNDS FOR RETURNS THAT ARE MORE THAN 3 YEARS OLD.

Q:  Do you e-file income tax returns?    
A:  Yes.  We electronically file every current year tax return that we prepare-- and we do it for no additional charge!  This includes the federal return and most state returns.  (Returns for years prior to 2013 must be mailed.)  We also e-file the federal copies of business returns that we prepare.  We do not e-file returns that are pre-prepared (prepared by the taxpayer or another paid preparer.)

Q:  What if I owe the IRS?  Why should I e-file my return?    
A:  The IRS is quickly moving towards every tax return being e-filed.  Every paid preparer who prepares more than 10 returns is required to e-file. You benefit from e-filing because you have assurance that the return was not lost in the mail or behind someone's desk at the IRS.  We receive an acknowledgement of the acceptance of your return by the IRS and also by the state(s).  If there is a problem with your return, you are notified about it immediately and have a chance to fix the problem before re-transmitting.  You do not have to send the money you owe until the tax filing deadline (April 15, 2014), even if you file on an earlier date.  Payments are sent to the IRS with a voucher which is generated at the time of preparing your return.

Q:  Do you offer Refund Anticipation Loans?    
A:  No.  Our philosophy is that they are too expensive considering that refunds are generally received by a taxpayer in less than two weeks when filed electronically and direct deposited to the taxpayers bank account.  In many cases, the IRS has issued refunds in as fast as six days.  (Note:  The IRS guideline for processing of refunds is two to three weeks regardless of who prepares and transmits the return.)  Also, the IRS is discouraging the Refund Loan process and is no longer putting the "debt indicator" on the acknowledgement file.

Q:  Can your fee be held out of my refund?    
A:  No.  Since we do not do Refund Loans, this is impossible to do.  However, we do take a personal check (or debit card) on your bank account.  Also Visa, Mastercard, and Discover are alternative payment methods.

Q:  Do you prepare business tax returns?    
A:  Yes.  We provide services and prepare returns for Corporations, Partnerships, and other types of businesses.  Please call to discuss your business situation.  See the Small Businesses page of our site for more information. 

Q:  Can I file my taxes using my last check stub?    
A:  Generally, No.  The IRS is very clear on this subject.  Taxpayers who have W-2 income, must file the return using their W-2's.  The IRS has issued the following statement to e-file providers:  "Authorized IRS e-file Providersmust not submit returns to the IRS prior to the receipt of all Forms W-2, W-2G, and 1099-R from the taxpayers."  You should beware of preparers who make the claim that they can file your return using just your final check stub. 

The exception to this rule is the case where the taxpayer is unable to get a W-2 from his former employer (for example, the employer is no longer in business).  In this case, the taxpayer may file a Substitute W-2, Form 4852.  For more information on this subject and others, see the IRS website FAQs.

Q:  How long must I retain tax records?    
A:  You should retain your Income Tax Returns for all years that you filed.  In most cases however, we recommend that it is unnecessary to retain all of the backup records (bank statements, receipts, etc.)  beyond four years.  The IRS has issued guidelines for recordkeeping which you can access at IRS Publication 552.

You may also want to consult the IRS website by clicking the links below: