Tax Return Engagement Letter

New Address?

Subject: Preparation of Your Individual and or Business Tax Returns

Dear Client,

Thank you for selecting Alpha Consulting & Tax, Inc. to assist you with your tax affairs. This letter confirms the terms of our engagement with you and the nature and extent of services we will provide.

We will prepare your 2024 federal and all state income tax returns you request using information you provide to us. We may ask for clarification of some items, but we will not audit or otherwise verify the data you submit. We may have provided an "Organizer" to help you gather the information required for a complete return. If you use the Organizer, it will help you avoid overlooking important information and contribute to efficient preparation of your returns, which helps keep the cost of our services as low as possible.

WE MUST RECEIVE ALL INFORMATION TO PREPARE YOUR INDIVIDUAL TAX RETURN NO LATER THAN APRIL 1, 2025 TO ENSURE YOUR RETURN WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE APRIL 15, 2025 DEADLINE. IF WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ALL INFORMATION BEFORE APRIL 1, 2025 AND YOUR RETURN IS NOT COMPLETED BY APRIL 15, 2025, YOU MAY BE SUBJECT TO INTEREST AND LATE FILING FEES WITH THE APPLICABLE TAXING AGENCIES.

By signing this agreement, you (the taxpayer) understand that the deadline to make a payment toward a business taxes due is March 15th and toward personal taxes is April 15th. Extensions may be filed; however the extension only allows for more time to file the business or personal tax return, NOT TO MAKE PAYMENT. Penalties and interest will be imposed on every corporation or individual who does not make estimated payments throughout the year, does not make payments towards the balance due by the March/April deadlines, and/or towards any individual or entity who does not pay forward enough in estimates. Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee that even with estimated payments being made that there will not be penalties and interest – however, any estimates will reduce the penalties and interest incurred.

PLEASE NOTE: It is not the responsibility of Alpha Consulting & Tax, Inc. to make any payments towards Federal or State taxes on behalf of any client. We will provide vouchers to make payments, both for the tax due and for estimates in the coming year. It is the taxpayer’s responsibility to make all payments.

We e-file the majority of information in our office including tax returns, payroll, city license renewals, and sales tax returns. As a result, the electronic postmark from the IRS and State is the confirmation that your return is filed on time. If there are issues with social security numbers and other information, we may need to paper file your return instead. We will be held harmless should the return be rejected by the taxing authority for any reason.

It is your responsibility to provide information required for preparation of complete and accurate returns. You should keep all documents, cancelled checks, and other data that supports your reported income and deductions. They may be necessary to prove accuracy and completeness of the returns to a taxing authority. You are responsible for the returns, so you should review them carefully before you sign them.

As you may know, there is a separate form (8879 and applicable state signature forms) that MUST be signed by you (the taxpayer) before we can submit your return to the IRS and State taxing agencies. Your signature on these forms is an acknowledgement t h a t you are aware of and agree with all information r e p o r t e d on your return. We are not responsible for the disallowance of a doubtful deduction or inadequate support of documentation for a deduction resulting in taxes, penalties, and interest.

By signing this agreement, the taxpayer agrees to receive an electronic copy of the returns prepared, sent to the email address on file. The electronic copy will be sent in the email with the 8879 forms, through a secure e-signature portal. We will provide one paper copy upon request only, at the time of your appointment. If you require additional paper or electronic copies of your return after the initial return has been provided we will charge a $35.00 fee to print a copy.

The IRS considers email to be an insecure form of transmission and as a result if you request an electronic copy Alpha Consulting & Tax, Inc. shall not be liable for any issues that might arise.

We are responsible for preparing only the returns requested at this appointment. Our fee DOES NOT include responding to inquiries, letters, or any examinations by a taxing authority. Any proposed adjustments are subject to appeal. In the event of a tax examination, we can arrange to be available to represent you. Such representation will be a separate engagement for which an engagement letter will be provided to you. Fees and expenses for defending the returns will be invoiced in accordance with terms we agree on for that engagement.

We will use our judgment to resolve questions in your favor where tax law is unclear if there is a reasonable justification for doing so. Whenever we are aware that a possibly applicable tax law is unclear or that there are conflicting interpretations of the law by authorities (e.g., tax agencies and courts), we will explain the possible positions that may be taken on your return. We will follow whatever position you request, so long as it is consistent with the codes, regulations, and interpretations that have been promulgated.

We have been advised that there is a Voluntary Disclosure Option with the IRS. The taxpayer agrees to hold Alpha Consulting & Tax, Inc. and all its officers, employees and shareholders harmless, should any additional taxes, penalties, or interest be imposed.

If any dispute arises amongst the parties, both parties agree to settle their dispute by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Commercial Mediation Rules. All unresolved disputes shall then be decided by final and binding arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA. Fees charged by any mediators, arbitrators, or the AAA shall be shared equally by all parties. In agreeing to arbitration, we both acknowledge that in the event of a dispute over fees, each of us is giving up the right to have the dispute decided in a court of law before a judge and jury and instead are accepting the use of arbitration for resolution.

To affirm that this letter correctly summarizes your understanding of the arrangements for this work, please sign the enclosed copy of this letter in the space indicated.

In case multiple year returns are prepared in this meeting the agreement herein covers all years.

This is a binding agreement covering the spouse in case a joint return is being prepared.

We appreciate your confidence in us. Please call if you have questions.

Cordially,

Alpha Consulting & Tax, Inc.

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