For Individuals / Tax Preparation / FAQs

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you don't find answers to your questions here, please do not hesitate to Contact Us.

PREPARATION & REFUND

How do I get started?
Is my personal information safe online?
Who will prepare my tax returns?
Can I talk to my preparer?
What if I have questions while completing the eOrganizer?
What supporting documents should I send?
Where do I send my tax documents?
When will my tax returns be ready for review?
Will I get a copy of my tax returns?
How quickly can I get my refund?

SERVICES & FEES

Which service level is right for me?
Do you offer tax planning services?
When do I pay?

PREPARATION AND REFUND

1. How do I get started?

To get started, fill out the Request eOrganizer form. Within 24 hours, you will receive an email from us with a copy of the eOrganizer. Enter your tax data into the eOrganizer and send us requested supporting documents. If you have any trouble with accessing the eOrganizer, contact our Support at support@taxcpadirect.com.

2. Is my personal information safe online?

Any personal information you share with us is securely managed and protected. Information you send us via our Website or the eOrganizer is protected by a technology called SSL Encryption to encrypt your sensitive information to ensure it is not intercepted by anyone on the Internet. Also see our Privacy Policy for more information.

In addition, our data servers are collocated exclusively at Equinix Datacenters in Chicago (www.equinix.com). Security includes 5 layers of biometric palm scanners to enter and leave the facility, over 600 video cameras with 30 day digital recording, along with kevlar floors and walls. There is a skilled technician within 100 feet of our servers 24/7/365.

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3. Who will prepare my tax returns?

Your tax returns will be prepared by a Certified Public Account (CPA).

4. Can I talk to my preparer?

Yes. Once your eOrganizer has been received, one of our CPA preparers will contact you to discuss your tax situation.

5. What if I have questions while completing the eOrganizer?

First, see Instructions to eOrganizer available for download at our Download page. The guide provides detailed line-by-line instructions and explains what supporting documents to send us. If the guide does not answer your question, please contact us at info@taxcpadirect.com and one of our staff will assist you.

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6. What supporting documents should I send?

If you haven’t done so already, please complete our eOrganizer by requesting an access to it at Request eOrganizer. For all items checked “Yes” or “Maybe” in your eOrganizer, please send us all relevant supporting documents as show in the table below. Do not send us your originals; send us only copies. Note that the same information is also available for download at our Download page. For more detailed information, see Instructions to eOrganizer.

** ALL NEW CLIENTS: Please send us a copy of your 2007 Federal and State tax returns.

eOrganizer Line Item	Supporting Documents to Send Us
Income Information
* W-2 Wages	Form W-2
* Interest	Form 1099-INT or equivalent
* Dividend	Form 1099-DIV or equivalent
* Sale of Stocks, Mutual Funds, or Bonds	Form 1099-B or equivalent
* Social Security or Disability Benefits	Form SSA-1099 or equivalent
* Retirement Benefits	Form 1099-G or equivalent (or just confirm the amount received)
* State & Local Refunds Received in 2009	Form 1099-G or equivalent (or just confirm the amount received)
* Self Employment Income	Profit and loss statement (Business Income Worksheet is available at our Download page if you do not already have such statement)
* Rental Income	Profit and loss statement (Rental Income Worksheet is available at our Download page if you do not already have such statement)
* Income from Partnership or S-Corporation	Schedule K-1
* Unemployment Compensation	Form 1099-G or equivalent
* Sale of Primary Residence	Form 1099-S, closing statements, list of improvements made to the house
* Canceled Debt	Form 1099-A, Form 1099-C, or equivalent
* Alimony	Divorce decree
* Gambling Winnings, Prizes, and Awards	Form W-2G
* Other Income	Relevant supporting documents (contact us if you need help with identifying the documents we need)

Deductions & Credits
* Home Mortgage Interest and Real Estate Taxes	Form 1098, annual property tax statement, or equivalent
* Charitable Contributions	None
* Sales Taxes Paid	None
* Child and Dependent Care Expenses	None
* Medical Expenses	None
* Other Expenses
- Significant & Unreimbursed Casualty or Theft Losses	Relevant supporting documents, if any
- Energy Efficient Home Improvements	Relevant supporting documents, if any
- Moving Expenses Resulting from Change of Job	Relevant supporting documents, if any
- Purchase of Hybrid Vehicles	Relevant supporting documents, if any
- Higher Education Expenses (Tuition)	Annual statement from your educational institution, if available
- Student Loan Interest	Form 1098-E or equivalent
- Personal Property Taxes – Auto & Boat	Relevant supporting documents, if any
- Investment Interest Paid	Form 1099-B or equivalent
- Alimony Paid	Divorce decree
- IRA/Keogh/SEP Contributions	None
- HSA/MSA Contributions	None
- Adoption Expenses	Relevant supporting documents, if any
- Household Worker (Nanny, Maid, etc.)	Relevant supporting documents, if any
- Other Expenses/Deductions	Relevant supporting documents, if any

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7. Where do I send my tax documents?

There are three options:

Scan your tax documents and email them as attachments to taxdocs@taxcpadirect.com
Fax them to 925-226-4032
Or mail them to:
taxCPAdirect
P.O. Box 20835
Castro Valley, CA 94546

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8. When will my tax returns be ready for review?

We will have your tax returns ready for review generally within three business days after receiving all required information.

9. Will I get a copy of my tax returns?

Yes. After filing your tax returns, we will send you a CD containing your final tax returns.

10. How quickly can I get my refund?

You should receive your refund in the following timeframe.

	Federal	State
E-filed & Direct Deposit	Within 2 weeks after the acknowledgement date	Varies but generally 2-3 weeks
E-filed & Paper Refund Check	Within 4 weeks after the acknowledgement date	Varies but generally 4-5 weeks
Paper Filed	Within 6 weeks from the date the IRS received your returns	Varies but generally 6-7 weeks

Visit the Where’s My Refund? (http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96596,00.html) page on the IRS website to track your refund or call the IRS Refund Hotline at (800) 829-1954.

For information on the status of your state refund, contact your state tax board.

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SERVICES & FEES

1. Which tax preparation package is right for me?

We offer three service levels: PREP Simple, PREP Investor, and PREP SE (Self-Employed). Choose PREP Simple if you require a basic set of tax forms for reporting W-2 and/or 1099 income, reporting interest income from bank and/or dividends from stocks or mutual funds, or claiming various itemized deductions including unreimbursed employee business expenses. Choose PREP Investor if you need to report capital gains and losses, which include gains/losses from sale of stocks, mutual funds, bonds, homes, and other capital assets. Lastly, choose PREP SE if you have income from businesses (Schedule C or K-1 from partnership or S-corporation) or rental properties. Contact us at sales@taxcpadirect.com if you need additional assistance with selecting the right service level.

2. Do you offer tax planning services?

Yes, we provide tax planning services to our clients throughout the year. Refer to Tax Planning.

3. When do I pay?

We will email your invoice along with draft tax returns. With your approval of the returns and payment, we will e-file your tax returns. We accept all major credit cards.

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