Tax Return Preparation
Tax Preparation Fees
Clear starting fees for professional tax return preparation. We review your filing needs and records, then confirm the scope and final fee before work begins.
Starting Fees
What Does Tax Preparation Cost?
- Federal Form 1040$200
- Schedule A — Itemized Deductions+$100
- Schedule C — Business / Self-Employment+$375
- Schedule E — Rental Property+$125 per property
- State Return+$125 per state
These are starting fees, not fixed quotes. Final fees depend on the scope and complexity of the return and are confirmed after review.
Example: Federal Form 1040 + Schedule C + one state return starts at $700.
Included With Every Return
What Your Preparation Fee Includes
The preparation fee covers the agreed return and the normal steps needed to prepare, review, sign, file, and deliver it.
- Professional preparation and review
- Review for applicable deductions and credits based on information provided
- Federal electronic filing
- State electronic filing when a state return is prepared
- Secure online document submission and client portal
- Electronic signatures
- Electronic delivery of a copy of the completed return
- Direct deposit of refunds when available
- Prior-year comparison when applicable and useful
- Reasonable post-filing questions about the return we prepared
- Initial review of an IRS or state tax notice concerning a return prepared by Lynx Tax Advisors
Initial notice review helps identify the issue and next step. Substantive notice responses, amended returns, audit or collections representation, and other representation require a separate scope and fee when needed.
Prior-Year Returns
Prior-Year and Unfiled Returns
Prior-year returns generally follow the same starting-fee structure. The work may cost more when records are incomplete or additional compliance work is required.
Additional work can include:
- Reconstructing incomplete records
- Bookkeeping or cleanup
- Obtaining or reconciling IRS information or transcripts
- Reconstructing depreciation
- Resolving missing tax documents
- Multiple businesses or rental properties
- Multiple states
- Complex investment or digital-asset activity
- Foreign reporting
- Other unusually complex compliance work
We discuss additional work and associated fees before proceeding. For filing history, notices, and compliance steps, see our Unfiled Tax Returns page.
Separate Services
Tax Preparation and IRS Representation
Need a return prepared?
You may need only tax-return preparation. We will identify the returns and records involved and confirm the preparation scope and fee.
Also facing an IRS problem?
Unfiled returns together with an IRS balance, collection action, levy, Revenue Officer, payment-plan issue, or another compliance problem may call for separate IRS tax resolution or collections representation. Representation fees depend on the matter.
If you are unsure which path fits, use the Tax Resolution Fit Check.
Compliance Perspective
Prepared With the Bigger Picture in Mind
Brandon Lynch, EA, brings Nearly 20 years of IRS experience, including Revenue Officer and supervisory assignments. That background informs how we consider filing compliance and its interaction with IRS problems. Each return is prepared from the facts and records provided.
Tax Preparation Fees FAQ
How much does tax preparation cost?
Federal Form 1040 preparation starts at $200. Schedule A, Schedule C, rental property, and state returns add the starting fees listed above. We confirm the final fee after reviewing the work.
Do you prepare prior-year or unfiled tax returns?
Yes, depending on the records and scope. Prior-year returns generally use the same starting-fee structure; reconstruction or other additional work may cost more.
What if I am missing tax documents?
Tell us what is missing. Available records and IRS information may help identify reported income, but supporting business, expense, and other records may still be needed. We discuss any reconstruction work and fees first.
Does the preparation fee include e-filing?
Yes. Federal e-filing is included, and state e-filing is included when we prepare a state return, subject to e-filing availability for the return and tax year.
Can Lynx Tax Advisors prepare a return for someone outside California?
Potentially. We serve eligible clients nationwide, subject to applicable professional authorization and engagement requirements. Tell us the states and tax years involved so we can confirm scope.
What happens if I receive an IRS or state notice after filing?
If it concerns a return we prepared, an initial review is included. A substantive response, amended return, or representation may require a separate engagement and fee.
Is IRS representation included in the tax-preparation fee?
No. Return preparation and IRS representation are separate services. If you also need help with a collection or other IRS matter, we discuss its scope and fee separately.
Choose Your Next Step
Need a return prepared? Tell us the tax years, states, and schedules involved. Facing an IRS notice or collection issue as well? Start with the Fit Check so we can direct you appropriately.
Updated · Brandon Lynch, EA
Starting fees are estimates only; services and final fees are confirmed in the engagement scope. General educational information. Reading this page does not create a client relationship.