A personal tax return is more than filling in boxes. The numbers on it depend on how your income is reported, which deductions and credits you actually qualify for, and whether anything from earlier years still needs fixing. We prepare Form 1040 and the schedules that go with it, check the return for mistakes before it is filed, and explain what is on it so there are no surprises.
You can send your documents through our secure client portal and work with us online or by phone. If you would rather talk it through first, book a consultation and we will tell you what your return is likely to involve before you decide.
Who this is for
Most people who come to us fall into one of these groups. If your situation is not listed, ask: it usually still fits.
Employees with W-2 income
Straightforward returns, including people who changed jobs, worked in more than one state or have a spouse with a different filing situation.
Self-employed people and gig workers
Income reported on Form 1099-NEC, 1099-K or paid in cash, reported on Schedule C with business expenses, estimated tax payments and the self-employment tax that goes with it.
Landlords and real estate investors
Rental income and expenses on Schedule E, depreciation, and the records you need to keep for each property.
Investors
Interest, dividends, stock and crypto sales reported on Forms 1099-INT, 1099-DIV and 1099-B, including capital gains and losses.
Families and people with life changes
Marriage, a new child, buying or selling a home, a new business or a move can all change how your return should be prepared.
What is included
- Preparation of your federal Form 1040 and the schedules and forms your situation needs
- State return preparation where your state has an income tax (Texas, for example, has no state income tax on individuals)
- A review of standard versus itemized deductions, and of the credits you may qualify for
- Electronic filing and a copy of your completed return for your records
- Help with an extension (Form 4868) if you need more time to file
- Answers to your questions before and after filing, including what to do if the IRS writes to you about the return
Things that make a return more involved
These are the situations that take extra time and care, and the ones where a second pair of eyes is most useful.
- Self-employment income and business expenses (Schedule C)
- Rental property (Schedule E) or the sale of a property
- Income from more than one state, or a move during the year
- Itemized deductions such as mortgage interest, state and local taxes and charitable gifts
- Education credits, dependent care and other credits with eligibility rules
- Prior-year returns that were never filed or that need to be corrected with an amended return (Form 1040-X)
Amended and prior-year returns
If you filed a return and later found a missing form, a mistake or a deduction you did not claim, an amended return may be the right fix. If you have years you never filed, the sooner they are filed the sooner penalties and interest stop growing. Our tax resolution pages explain how unfiled returns and IRS notices are handled.
How it works
- 1
Tell us about your year
Book a call or start online. We ask a few questions so we know which forms and documents your return needs.
- 2
Upload your documents
Send your tax forms and records through the secure client portal. We tell you if anything is missing.
- 3
We prepare and review your return
We prepare the return, check it, and walk you through the result, including any balance due or refund.
- 4
You approve and we file
Once you approve, we file electronically and send you a copy for your records.
What we need from you
- Photo ID and Social Security numbers (or ITINs) for you, your spouse and your dependents
- Income forms: W-2, 1099-NEC, 1099-K, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B, 1099-R, SSA-1099, K-1
- Records of self-employment income and expenses, if you work for yourself
- Rental income and expense records and property tax statements, if you own rental property
- Mortgage interest (Form 1098), property tax and charitable gift records, if you itemize
- Forms 1095-A, 1098-T, 1098-E or child care provider details, if they apply
- Last year's tax return, if we did not prepare it
- Any IRS or state letters you received about a prior year
Not sure what applies to you? Send what you have and we will tell you what is missing.
Why work with BUTA Tax
- Tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, business formation and IRS help in one firm, so your records line up.
- A secure client portal for your documents and messages, available whenever you need it.
- Starting prices shown on this site and the questions that set your final price asked before you pay.
- An office in Frisco, Texas, and online service for clients across the United States.
Frequently asked questions
How much does tax preparation cost?
It depends on what your return involves. The price starts with a base fee for a standard return, and extra items such as self-employment income, extra states, a high number of income documents or a married-filing-jointly return add to it. You see the starting price on this page and the questions that set your final price when you start an order, before you pay.
What documents do I need to give you?
Your income forms (W-2s and 1099s), ID and Social Security numbers for everyone on the return, and records for any deductions you want to claim. The list on this page covers the most common ones. If you are not sure whether something matters, send it and we will tell you.
Can you prepare prior-year returns?
Yes. We prepare returns for earlier years, including years that were never filed. The documents you need for an old year are the same as for a current one, and the IRS can send you copies of income forms reported under your Social Security number if you no longer have them.
Do I have to come to the office?
No. You can send everything through our secure client portal and work with us by phone and email. If you prefer to meet, you can book a time at our Frisco, Texas office.
What if I need more time to file?
An extension (Form 4868) gives you more time to file your return, not more time to pay. Any tax you owe is still due by the original deadline, so we estimate what you owe before you extend.
What if the IRS sends me a letter about my return?
Send it to us as soon as you get it. Many notices have a response deadline, and the right reply depends on what the letter says. Our IRS notice help pages explain the most common ones.