Design concept for a fictional business, created by Alden Chappell as a portfolio sample. Not a real accounting firm.

Book a consult

Flat-fee tax returns and monthly books, from two people who answer their email.

We prepare federal and North Carolina returns for households and small businesses, and keep the books for about forty local companies. You know the fee before we start, and you'll hear back within one business day.

Book a free 20-minute consultSee our fees

The tax year at a glance

Every date that matters for filing your 2026 taxes and paying 2027 estimates. When a deadline lands on a weekend, it moves to the next business day, so we've listed the real dates.

IRS or NC deadline Our office dates

  1. January

    5Organizer checklists go out to returning clients
    15Q4 2026 estimated payment, federal and NC

  2. February

    1W-2s and 1099-NECs due to workers and the IRSJan 31 is a Sunday
    9First finished returns go back to clients

  3. March

    1Drop off by today to be sure of an April 15 return
    15S-corp and partnership returns, or extension

  4. April

    15Individual returns (1040 and NC D-400), extensions, Q1 2027 estimate

  5. May

    Quiet month. A good time to fix withholding for next year.

  6. June

    15Q2 2027 estimated payment

  7. July

    Midyear check-in for bookkeeping clients.

  8. August

    Office closed the week of the 16th.

  9. September

    15Q3 estimate, and extended S-corp and partnership returns

  10. October

    15Extended individual returns due

  11. November

    1Year-end planning meetings open for business clients

  12. December

    31Last day for charitable gifts that count for 2027

Fixed fees, agreed up front

We quote after a short look at last year's return or your books. The quote is the price, unless you add something new mid-way, and then we ask first.

For individuals and families

  • Simple return

    W-2 income, standard deduction, federal and NC

    $275

  • Itemized or investment return

    Mortgage, charitable gifts, brokerage and rental statements

    $425

  • Self-employed return

    Schedule C for freelancers and sole owners, with quarterly estimates set up

    $650

  • IRS or NC letter review

    We read it, explain it and draft the reply

    $150

For small businesses

  • Monthly bookkeeping

    Up to 150 transactions a month, reconciled and reported by the 15th

    $325per month

  • S-corp or partnership return

    1120-S or 1065, with K-1s for up to three owners

    $1,450

  • Catch-up bookkeeping

    For books that fell behind. Billed per month of records.

    $110per month caught up

  • Payroll setup

    Choose a payroll service, set up NC withholding and unemployment accounts

    $300

Bookkeeping clients get 15% off their business return. Fees are sample prices for this concept.

How to send us your documents

Each client gets a private upload portal. It's encrypted, it keeps your files in one place for seven years, and you can download them anytime.

Please don't email tax forms or Social Security numbers. If you only have paper, drop it in the locked box by our door.

  1. We send you a portal invite

    It comes from our office address after your consult. Set a password and turn on the text code.

  2. Upload photos or PDFs

    Phone photos are fine. Use our checklist so nothing is missed: W-2s, 1099s, 1098s and last year's return.

  3. We tell you what's missing

    Within two business days you get a short list of anything we still need, or a note that you're done.

  4. Review and sign online

    Your finished return comes back through the portal with a one-page summary. Sign electronically and we file.

Book a consult

Twenty minutes, free, by phone or video. Bring your questions and last year's return if you have it.

Dana Hartwell, CPA

Returns, tax planning and IRS letters

Marcus Ellery

Bookkeeping, payroll and year-end close

This is about

Demo form: nothing is sent.

Regular hours

Mon to Thu, 9 to 5. Fri, 9 to 1.

Tax season, Feb 1 to Apr 15

Mon to Fri, 8 to 6. Saturdays 9 to 1.

Office

Main Street, Sample Town, upstairs suite. Parking behind the building.

Phone

(919) 555-0167