Wednesday, May 14, 2025
SWAIM & ASSOCIATES
The fee for any tax return starts at a minimum of $500 and increases from there. Our average fee ranges from approximately $850 to $2,500 for individuals, but can be higher. Business returns generally cost between $1,000 and $5,000 on average, but maybe more. Consultations are $250 per hour. The minimum fee for any IRS or state department of revenue problem case is $1,500, payable in advance and non-refundable.
We provide our clients with highly professional and expert services at a fair and reasonable price. The services we offer are of superior quality and provide value to our clients. Our services include the following deliverables but are not limited to tax returns and assistance with related notices, tax audits, accounting services, financial statements, letters, reports, meetings, emails, and phone calls.
What we Charge For – All we have to sell is our time and knowledge; we have no “products” to sell to you. We have spent many years becoming knowledgeable and educated in tax law and accounting. That is why people seek our services; we are experts, and this is what we do for a living. In addition, we must continue our education annually to maintain our licenses. When you contact us, you need our knowledge and assistance because we have the expertise, ability, and legal knowledge regarding the complexity of tax matters. If these matters were “simple,” nobody would need us. We know what to do and how to do it.
Fees – We base our fees, in part, on time required at regular rates for the type of services and personnel assigned, plus out-of-pocket costs. We also consider the difficulty and size of the assignment, the degree of skill required, time limitations imposed on us by others, the experience and ability of the personnel assigned, the nature of the project, the level of cooperation by the client’s staff, and the value of the services to the client, i.e. results – what we accomplished for the client. We reserve the right to increase or decrease our fees based on the value of the services rendered.
Payment for Services – Payment is expected upon presentation of invoices. We accept checks or cash. Invoices will generally be prepared upon project completion and are due upon receipt. For larger projects or those delayed for any reason, we may issue progress invoices throughout the duration of services. Invoices will be issued monthly for routine or ongoing services, such as bookkeeping or general consulting. We accept cash or checks. We reserve the right to suspend services if an account falls into arrears. All invoices are due upon receipt.
Telephone conversations, emails, and responses to IRS or state tax notices – These are billed like any other time spent on a client’s behalf. If matters of substance are discussed, the time is charged and billed to the client. This includes phone calls or emails that require research, business or personal planning, tax compliance, or any other activity that necessitates our time, knowledge, and effort. These will be billed in accordance with our billing policy, generally at the rate of $200 per hour, with a minimum charge of $50.
Cessation of Services –. We also reserve the right to cease further services until satisfactory payment arrangements are made. There is a $100 charge for bounced checks. If we stop work or withdraw from this engagement due to your failure to pay timely for services rendered, we shall not be liable for any damage resulting from our cessation of services. Clients with unpaid balances will generally be required to pay any past balances in full, and a retainer may be charged for future work. If, for any reason, the account is turned over to an attorney for collection, the costs of legal and professional services necessary to collect the balance due will be added to the account to cover our collection costs. If you have concerns about your bill, please contact our office regarding your circumstances.
We may require a retainer fee to be paid upfront before work begins for specific projects. This is standard practice for new clients, large projects, and one-time projects, such as preparing delinquent returns. Progress invoices will be issued monthly and are due in full until the project is completed, when the retainer is applied to the final bill. Any overage will be returned to the client.
While our fees are non-negotiable, we are happy to address any concerns you may have regarding billing or pricing