EZ TAX SERVICES LLC
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Terms & Conditions
Tax Return Preparation Process Tax Payments, Interest and Penalties Notice of Adjustment, Examination or Audit Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability
Engagement of Services: By providing your information for tax return preparation, you enter into a binding agreement with me, accepting the terms, policies, and procedures outlined in this document. Your Responsibility for Information: You are responsible for submitting all necessary information to ensure the preparation of an accurate and complete tax return. Retain all relevant documentation, such as receipts, canceled checks, and other records supporting income and deductions, for at least three years from the tax return due date (preferably six years). These records may be required to substantiate items in your return if reviewed by tax authorities. Scope of My Services: I will not audit or independently verify the accuracy or completeness of the information you provide, though I may request clarification when needed. My role in preparing your tax return does not include procedures to detect fraud or other irregularities, should they exist. Ensuring Complete Information: I will take steps to ensure I have all relevant details for your tax return, such as reviewing prior-year data, asking about missing information, and sending reminders. However, it is ultimately your responsibility to provide all required information and follow up as necessary. Legally, you are accountable for the accuracy of your tax return, so carefully review the figures included. You are welcome to ask questions about any aspect of the return or its calculations. Timeliness: While I strive to provide prompt services, I cannot guarantee specific timelines for communication, completion of work, or meeting deadlines. It is your responsibility to submit information with enough lead time to allow for proper preparation and to follow up with me if needed. Discontinuation of Services: If you choose to stop using my services before the tax return is completed or decide not to file the prepared return, you remain responsible for paying fees for the work performed up to that point. Payment Terms: Fees for tax return preparation are due upon completion of the final draft, which you will receive with a "Return Ready" notification. Payment is expected within seven days of this notification. Additional fees may apply in specific circumstances, and by engaging my services, you agree to my fee structure. Addressing Concerns: Concerns about the tax return outcome (e.g., refund amount or tax owed) do not exempt you from paying the preparation fees. You will have sufficient opportunity to review and resolve any issues during the review process, which occurs after payment and receipt of the draft return. Note that your return is not finalized until you provide your signature on the e-file forms or the return itself, allowing for adjustments if necessary. For further details, refer to the "Issues with Fees or Results" section on the fee page. Limitations of Scope & Responsibility My responsibility is to prepare your tax return as accurately as possible. Once it is filed, while I can make corrections or amendments as needed, I am not responsible for the actions of the tax authorities. Regarding consultations, my scope is limited to the questions specifically asked. I do not provide updates or predictions of future events. Tax Return Preparation Process To ensure a seamless and accurate tax preparation experience with EZ Tax, we have outlined the steps involved in preparing your tax return and/or FinCEN Form 114 (FBAR). Below is a detailed guide to help you understand the process, optimized for clarity and compliance with SEO best practices to avoid penalties for duplicated content. Providing Your Tax Information To prepare your tax return and/or FBAR accurately, please submit all required information through secure methods such as email, fax, or another mutually agreed-upon channel. The necessary documentation varies depending on the type of return: For Individual Tax Returns: All U.S. tax documents you received, including W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, and similar forms. A completed tax preparation questionnaire, accessible on our website at www.eztax.us under the “Start Here” section. This questionnaire helps us capture all relevant details to avoid missing critical information. If you are a new client, please provide a copy of your prior year’s tax return, if one was filed. For Corporate or Partnership Tax Returns: A profit and loss statement (P&L) and balance sheet, which can be generated using accounting software like QuickBooks or similar platforms. Formation documents for the business, if this is the first year we are preparing your company’s return. Updated names, addresses, and Social Security Numbers of all owners, if not previously provided or if there have been changes. For new clients, a copy of the prior year’s tax return, if applicable. We do not perform audits or independently verify the accuracy or completeness of the information you provide. However, we may contact you for clarifications if any details appear incomplete or inconsistent. Our services are not designed to detect fraud, defalcation, or other irregularities. We typically do not review receipts, foreign documents, bills, bank statements, personal worksheets, or other supporting documentation. Please retain these records for your own files, as they may be needed for tax authority inquiries. If you require assistance with calculating income, expenses, or deductions, we can recommend a trusted bookkeeping service or offer consulting at our standard hourly rate. Timing Considerations: To meet tax filing deadlines, we strongly recommend submitting your complete tax information as early as possible. While we strive to file returns on time, we cannot guarantee meeting deadlines, especially for late submissions. For individual tax returns, our recommended cutoff is around April 1, though we may accommodate later submissions when feasible. Preparing Your Tax Return Once we receive your complete tax information, our team typically prepares a draft of your tax return within approximately 7 days, with the entire process concluding within about 14 days. We process returns on a first-come, first-served basis to ensure fairness. During peak seasons, such as late March, early April, June, and October, preparation may take 2 to 4 weeks, and we may need to file an extension to meet deadlines. Submissions between April 5 and April 25 are particularly prone to delays due to high demand. In rare cases, we may misclassify the status of a client’s tax return internally. If you have not received an update from us within 10 days after we confirm receipt of your information, please reach out to us at info@eztax.us to check on your return’s progress. Addressing Additional Information Needs If we require further details or clarifications to complete your tax return, we will send you an email listing any outstanding items. Please respond within 7 days with concise and complete answers to ensure timely processing. If necessary, we can schedule a phone call to discuss complex issues, except during the 3 weeks leading up to major tax deadlines (e.g., mid-April, mid-June, mid-October), when phone availability is limited. Significant delays in responding may result in additional fees if we need to re-review your information due to the delay. We acknowledge all email communications within 24 to 48 hours, though responses may take slightly longer over weekends or holidays. If you do not receive a reply, please resend your email to ensure it was received. When tax laws are ambiguous or conflicts arise between taxing authorities’ interpretations and other defensible positions, we rely on our professional expertise and conduct reasonable research to resolve such issues. Unless you instruct otherwise, we will take positions that favor you whenever legally permissible. Tax regulations evolve frequently, and advice given for a transaction at one time may not apply later. We recommend consulting us anew for any significant transactions to ensure compliance with current laws. Payment for Tax Preparation Services When your tax return and/or FBAR are complete based on the information provided, we will send you a “Return Ready” email. This email will detail the expected refund or tax due, the tax preparation fee, and a secure link to www.eztax.us for payment or to explore alternative payment methods. Payment is due within 7 days of receiving this email. If you have questions about the fee, please email us at info@eztax.us, and we will provide a transparent breakdown of the charges. If you have concerns about the results of your return (e.g., the refund amount or tax owed), you will have ample opportunity to discuss and resolve them during the review process, which begins after payment and once we send you the draft return. We kindly ask that you wait to raise questions until you have reviewed the draft, as this allows us to provide clearer explanations and helps you better understand your tax situation. Your return is not finalized until you sign the e-file authorization form or the paper return, so changes can be made as needed before filing. For additional details on our fee structure, please visit the fees page on our website, www.eztax.us. Reviewing and Filing Your Tax Return Upon receiving your payment, we will email you the draft tax return and/or FBAR for your review. As you bear legal responsibility for the accuracy of these documents, please examine them carefully. Any errors or omissions we make will be corrected at no additional cost. Errors or omissions resulting from your provided information may incur additional fees, depending on the time required to address them. The tax preparation fee includes 15 minutes of review time, preferably conducted via email. Phone consultations are unavailable during the last week of March and the first two weeks of April, June, and October due to high demand. We recommend using email for review questions, as it allows us to thoroughly assess your return and provides a written record for reference. Once you confirm the accuracy of your tax return and/or FBAR, they are ready for filing. For electronic filing, you must sign and date the e-file authorization form(s) included in the tax return file. Please do not submit signed forms if there are unresolved issues, as this could lead to premature filing. FBARs must be filed electronically and require a signed authorization form. You will receive a confirmation email from us once e-filing is complete—do not assume filing has occurred without this confirmation. If your return cannot be e-filed, we will provide detailed instructions for printing, signing, and mailing it to the relevant tax authority. Consistency in Service We strongly encourage using our tax preparation services every year, not just for complex returns. Many tax items carry over annually, and consistent engagement allows us to maintain a comprehensive understanding of your tax profile, improving accuracy and efficiency. This also reduces the risk of errors, especially if a prior year’s return prepared elsewhere contains inaccuracies. Service Timing and Communication Meeting Deadlines: We cannot guarantee that your tax return will be filed before the deadline. To optimize timely filing, submit your complete information by April 1 for individual returns. Later submissions may still be processed on time, but this is not guaranteed. Email Responses: We aim to respond to emails within 24 to 48 hours, though responses may take longer over weekends, holidays, or during slower periods later in the year. We prioritize prompt communication whenever possible. Urgent Requests: While we strive to accommodate urgent needs, we cannot guarantee instant or expedited service. Please provide advance notice for time-sensitive matters. Priority Service: To ensure fairness, we do not offer priority service for additional fees. All returns are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Extension Policy Filing an extension grants additional time to submit your tax return, but does not extend the payment deadline for any taxes owed. The IRS permits only one extension per tax year, which typically moves the filing deadline for personal returns to October 15. It's important to understand that requesting an extension is a common practice without any adverse consequences, and many taxpayers utilize this option annually. For clients who submit their complete tax information near the filing deadline, please note that our standard cutoff for guaranteed on-time filing is April 1 for individual returns, though we may occasionally accommodate submissions received by April 7. If we're unable to complete your return by the deadline under these circumstances, we will automatically file a federal extension at no additional cost, along with any necessary state extensions. In cases where no information can be provided before the deadline, we can file an extension upon specific request. However, please be aware that services requiring tax liability estimates for extension purposes will incur separate charges. This includes any subsequent work needed to finalize the return after the extension period. Such requests must be made at least one week prior to the original deadline to ensure proper processing. Additional fees will apply for complex extension situations requiring multiple filings or detailed payment instructions. Both federal and state tax authorities mandate taxpayers to remit payments throughout the year as income is earned. This pay-as-you-go system operates primarily through two methods:
When withholding proves inadequate or doesn't apply to certain income streams, quarterly estimated payments become necessary. These installments are typically due on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year, with each payment representing one-fourth of the projected annual liability. The IRS imposes underpayment penalties when taxpayers fail to meet minimum payment thresholds. For most filers, you'll avoid penalties by paying either 90% of your current year's tax liability or 100% of your prior year's tax (110% for higher earners with AGI exceeding $150,000, or $75,000 for married filing separately). These payments can come from any combination of withholding and estimated payments, provided they're made by the quarterly deadlines. It's worth noting that the penalty calculation uses the federal short-term interest rate plus 3 percentage points (currently)Even if your current year's tax bill exceeds last year's amount, making payments equal to your prior year's liability will shield you from underpayment penalties, though you'll still owe the remaining balance when filing your return. Late Penalties & Interest (on returns filed after the initial deadline): Tax Payment Deadlines and Penalties The payment deadline for individual tax returns typically falls on April 15 (adjusted for weekends or holidays). If you file after the deadline but are owed a refund, no penalties or interest will apply. However, if you owe taxes and fail to pay by the due date, the IRS imposes the following penalties and interest: 1. Interest Charges Rate: Federal short-term rate plus 3%, compounded daily Applies to: Any unpaid balance from the original due date until paid in full 2. Late Payment Penalty Rate: 0.5% per month (or partial month) on unpaid taxes Maximum: 25% of the unpaid tax Applies to: Balances paid after April 15, even if an extension was filed 3. Late Filing Penalty (if return is not submitted by the deadline) Rate: 5% per month (or partial month) on unpaid taxes Maximum: 25% (after 5 months) Minimum Penalty (if >60 days late): The lesser of $135 or 100% of the tax owed (unless reasonable cause is shown) Special Deadlines: U.S. expatriates: June 15 Extension filers: October 15 (but payment was still due April 15) To avoid unnecessary penalties, file your return on time—even if you can’t pay in full—and pay as much as possible by the original due date. Payment plans may be available if you cannot settle your balance immediately. Notice of Adjustment, Examination or Audit Should you receive any correspondence from tax authorities regarding returns I have prepared, please contact me without delay. I provide a complimentary preliminary review of all IRS notices, adjustment letters, or examination requests at no cost to you. This includes analyzing any discrepancies between your filed return and third-party documentation such as W-2s or 1099s. I strongly advise against making any payments to tax authorities before we have thoroughly examined the notice together, as many contain errors that can be successfully challenged. For more complex matters, I offer consultation services at a rate of $200 per hour, with a minimum charge of $50. This includes assistance with preparing written responses to tax authorities, organizing documentation for audits, and guidance through the examination process. However, please note that my services do not extend to direct representation before the IRS, including phone conversations or in-person meetings with revenue agents. In cases where the notice results from an error on my part, I will correct the issue and respond to the tax authority at no additional charge. Should you face a full examination or require formal representation, I recommend engaging a qualified tax attorney, as these situations often benefit from specialized expertise. Be aware that most audits focus on specific line items rather than entire returns, and any additional tax assessments typically accrue interest and penalties My role is to help you understand the notice, prepare necessary documentation, and advise on the most appropriate course of action. I strongly encourage you to forward any IRS correspondence to me immediately upon receipt. Early intervention frequently resolves issues more efficiently and may prevent unnecessary payments or complications. Remember that tax authority notices often contain strict response deadlines, so prompt attention is crucial to protect your rights and minimize potential liabilities. My goal is to help you navigate these situations with confidence and clarity while ensuring full compliance with tax regulations. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability While we strive to prepare accurate and complete tax returns based on the information you provide, We do not and cannot guarantee that your return will be free from error, especially if such error results from incomplete, inaccurate, or omitted information provided by you. You acknowledge and agree that our liability for any claim arising out of or relating to the preparation of your tax return shall not exceed the total amount paid for the tax preparation services, or $500, whichever is less. This limitation of liability applies to all claims, including but not limited to negligence, errors, or omissions, and whether such claims are made in contract, tort, or otherwise. You also agree to hold us harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from your failure to provide complete, truthful, and timely information necessary for accurate tax return preparation. Any advice or guidance provided outside the scope of tax return preparation (e.g., planning or consulting) is general in nature and should not be relied upon as legal or financial advice. You are encouraged to consult with a qualified attorney or financial advisor for such matters. Agreement to Policies and Procedures By engaging our services, you agree to abide by the conditions outlined above. If you do not accept these terms, we will be unable to provide tax preparation services. For any questions, please email info@eztax.us. We appreciate the opportunity to work with you.
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