Answers to Your Tax Questions.

For most personal returns you'll need: a government-issued photo ID, your Social Security Card, all W-2s and 1099s, last year's tax return if you have it, and bank account information for direct deposit. If you have dependents, bring their SSNs and birth certificates. Business income filers should also bring income/expense records and any 1099-NEC forms.

Our fees depend on the complexity of your return. Simple W-2 returns start at a very competitive rate. Self-employed, rental income, or multi-state returns are priced higher. We always tell you the fee before we start. Call us at (507) 319-7168 or book a consultation to get an estimate for your specific situation.

Most returns are completed within 5 business days of receiving all required documents. Complex returns may take a few days longer. Once your return is ready, we will contact you to review and sign before it is filed.

Yes. You can drop off your documents at our office at 1207 7th St NW #3, Rochester, MN 55901, or upload them securely online. We will contact you if we have any questions and notify you when your return is ready.

Yes. We prepare returns for sole proprietors (Schedule C), LLCs, S-Corps, C-Corps, and partnerships. We also assist with quarterly estimated tax payments and can help you understand your business tax obligations year-round.

You can check your federal refund status at IRS Where's My Refund (available 24 hours after e-filing). For Minnesota state refunds, visit Minnesota Where's My Refund. Or use our Check My Refund page for direct links.

The IRS issues most refunds within 21 days of accepting an e-filed return. Paper-filed returns take 6–8 weeks. Returns that claim the Earned Income Credit (EITC) or Additional Child Tax Credit cannot be issued before mid-February. Checking IRS Where's My Refund gives you the most accurate timeline.

Several factors can reduce your refund: changes in withholding on your W-4, new income sources, a change in filing status, or credits you qualified for last year that expired or changed. The best way to understand your specific situation is to bring both years' documents to an appointment.

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to identify a business entity. Most businesses need an EIN — including LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietors with employees. Even if you don't have employees, an EIN lets you open a business bank account and protects your personal SSN. We can obtain your EIN quickly. Learn more.

To register a business in Minnesota, you need to choose an entity type (LLC, corporation, sole proprietor, etc.), file Articles of Organization or Incorporation with the Minnesota Secretary of State, obtain an EIN from the IRS, and register for state taxes with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. We help with all of these steps. See our Company Registration service.

By default, a single-member LLC is taxed as a sole proprietor and pays self-employment tax on all net profits. An S-Corp allows you to split income between salary (subject to payroll taxes) and distributions (not subject to self-employment tax), which can reduce your overall tax burden once your net profit exceeds roughly $40,000/year. The right choice depends on your specific income level and business situation — we can advise you during a consultation.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax credit for low-to-moderate income workers and families. For tax year 2024, the maximum credit is up to $7,830 for families with three or more children. The amount depends on your income, filing status, and number of qualifying children. We always check whether you qualify for the EITC when preparing your return.

The Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,000 per qualifying child under age 17. Up to $1,700 of this may be refundable as the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), meaning you can receive it as a refund even if you owe no taxes. To qualify, the child must have a valid SSN, be related to you, and meet income and residency requirements. Read our full guide on the Child Tax Credit.

Self-employed individuals can deduct home office expenses if you use part of your home regularly and exclusively for business. W-2 employees working from home cannot claim this deduction under current federal tax law (the employee business expense deduction was suspended through 2025). If you're self-employed, we can help you calculate the deduction correctly to maximize your savings.