Individual tax return preparation for families, individuals, and self-employed taxpayers
in Tampa Bay and nationwide.
Your Return, Done Right By Someone You Can Actually Reach In July.
Most places file your return and disappear. We're here all year. We've been preparing tax returns since 1978. We're virtual-first, and you'll know the price before we start.
Returns From $350
Price Before We Start
Here After April
Virtual-First
Common Individual Tax Return Problems We Help Solve
You don't need a lecture. You need your return done right and a straight answer about what it costs.
Last Year's Preparer Is Gone
You got your return, and then nothing. No one to call in June.
You Found Out You
Owed in April
Nobody told you in October, when there may still have been time to do something about it.
You're Not Sure
It Was Done Right
It got filed. Whether anything was missed, you have no idea.
Nobody Explained It to You
You signed where they pointed. You still don't know what happened.
If something was missed on last year's return, would you know?
Individual Tax Return Preparation Services
We prepare individual tax returns, explain what we're doing, and stay available after filing season ends.
Individual Tax Returns
We prepare federal and state income tax returns involving:
W-2 income
Social Security, pensions, and retirement distributions
Interest and dividends
Investment income
Self-employment and freelance income
Schedule C businesses
Rental property
K-1 income
Multi-state filing
Prior-year returns
Amended returns
Single-member LLCs reported on the owner's individual return
Run an S corporation, partnership, or C corporation?
Those businesses file separate returns.
Looking Ahead
A tax return tells us what already happened. Sometimes it also raises questions about what should happen next.
Are your quarterly estimates based on real numbers or a guess?
Is your current business structure still right?
Could something you do before year-end change what happens next April?
Those answers depend on your situation. When we see something worth discussing, we'll tell you.
"I wish there were 10 stars! We're so pleased with Paul and the team at Belshaw accounting. They just finished our 2023 tax returns. 100% professional, prompt, clear communication & secure file sharing system. Maybe best of all: Paul takes the time to talk through each situation and explore options to save you $. Don't hesitate--reach out and ask for a consultation."
Marjorie LoPresti
A Return Looks Back. Planning Looks Ahead.
By the time you file your tax return, most of the year
is already over.
The return records what happened.
Planning happens during the year, while there may still be time to make a different decision.
Are you planning during the year or finding out what happened in April?
When a return raises a planning question, we'll tell you. The answer may involve estimates, retirement contributions, business structure, or another issue that depends on your situation.
We won't give you a generic answer to a question that depends on your income, business, family, and tax situation.
Four Steps, Start to Finish
1
Start With a 15-Minute Call
Tell us what your year looked like and what you need. No sales pitch.
We'll tell you whether we think we're a good fit.
2
Get Set Up in TaxDome
TaxDome gives you one secure place for documents, signatures, messages, and payments.
No emailing sensitive tax documents back and forth.
3
We Gather and Review
We'll give you a clear list of what we need. We review the information and ask questions before the return is filed, not after.
4
Review, File & Look Ahead
We go over the return with you in plain English. You should understand what you're signing.
If we see something worth addressing for the coming year,
we'll tell you.
"Excellent customer service. Paul was very professional and communicative. The entire tax process was thorough and completed quickly. I looked forward to working with Paul for future tax seasons"
Ryan Rosenberger
What Does Individual Tax Preparation Cost?
Here's what we charge. Most places won't tell you until you're already sitting in the chair.
We think you should know before you call.
Wages & retirement
$350 – $395
One W-2, or retirement income only. Standard deduction. One state
May include Social Security, pensions, IRA withdrawals, interest and dividends.
Itemized & Investments
$425 – $550
Multiple W-2s. Itemized deductions. Dependents and education credits. Investment income. One state.
Where most families land.
Self-Employed & Rental
$650 – $950
Schedule C or 1099 income. Rental property. Stock sales. A K-1 you received. More than one state.
Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs generally fall here when the business is reported on the individual return.
Complex
From $950
Multiple rentals or K-1s. Equity compensation. Cryptocurrency activity. Foreign income or accounts. Trust or estate income. Carryforwards that need to be tracked.
Priced after we see the documents.
A Few Things to Know
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Each additional state is quoted separately.
-
Prior-year returns are quoted separately.
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Amended returns are quoted separately.
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You get your price in writing before we start.
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The price doesn't change unless the work changes.
What Makes a Tax Return Cost More?
The price depends mainly on the amount of work involved.
Number of Income Sources
One W-2 is different from a W-2, rental property, brokerage account, and side business.
More sources mean more records to review.
Do You Charge by the Form?
No.
We quote one price for the return before we start.
We don't want you wondering whether every additional schedule or form is creating another surprise charge.
We look at what your return involves, give you a price, and put it in writing.
If the work changes, we'll talk with you before the price changes.
Not after.
Is a Cheaper Tax Preparer Good Enough?
Sometimes, yes. And we'll tell you if that's your situation.
If you have one W-2 and take the standard deduction, tax software may be all you need.
We'd rather tell you that than take your money.
But when you have a business, rental property, K-1 income, investments, multiple states, or something unusual, the return can get more complicated.
That's when experience, questions, and year-round access can matter.
The lowest tax-preparation fee isn't always the lowest cost.
"I would highly recommend Belshaw Accounting for any business or personal tax services. Amazing customer service, fair pricing, and expertise in businesses."
Henry Rose
Based in Holiday, Florida. Preparing Returns Across the Country.
Belshaw Accounting, Tax and Advisory Services LLC prepares individual income tax returns for individuals, families, retirees, and self-employed taxpayers.
Our virtual-first process also allows us to work with clients nationwide.
Paul Belshaw has worked in tax and accounting since 1978, beginning with the VITA program at Rutgers University.
Meet Us the Way You're Comfortable. We Do the Work Online.
BATS is virtual-first.
That means your tax work, documents, signatures, payments, and records are handled securely online. But virtual-first doesn't mean you can't meet us.
You can meet with Paul by phone, Zoom, or in person in Holiday, Florida, by appointment.
Some people want to shake a hand and meet the person handling their taxes. We understand that. Meet us the way you're comfortable. We do the work online.
Your Tax Information Deserves to Be Protected.
BATS uses secure online systems for sensitive tax documents, signatures, and records rather than relying on ordinary email.
We use multi-factor authentication and maintain a Written Information Security Plan (WISP).
Security is part of how we handle your tax information — not an afterthought.
Individual Tax Return FAQs
How Much Does an Individual Tax Return Cost?
Individual tax returns start at $350.
Most returns fall between $425 and $950, depending on income sources, deductions, investments, business activity, rental property, states filed, and overall complexity.
You get your price in writing before we start.
Do I Have to Come to Your Office?
No. BATS is virtual-first.
Your tax work is handled securely online. You can meet with Paul by phone or Zoom, or in person in Holiday by appointment.
What Do You Need From Me to Get Started?
Usually, we start with last year's tax return and your current-year tax documents.
We'll tell you what else we need based on your situation.
Can You Fix a Return That Was Done Wrong?
We prepare amended returns when an amendment is appropriate.
First, we review what was filed. Then we'll tell you whether changing it makes sense and what the additional work will cost. Sometimes the right answer is to leave the return alone. We'll tell you that too.
What if I Owe Taxes and Can't Pay Everything at Once?
Don't ignore the return because you can't pay the full balance.
Filing and paying are separate issues. Once we know what you owe, we can discuss next steps and available payment options.
Can You Prepare a Return Involving More Than One State?
Yes. We prepare multi-state individual returns. Additional state returns are quoted separately.
I'm Self-Employed. Does My Business Go on My Individual Return?
It depends on how the business is taxed. A sole proprietorship or single-member LLC may be reported on your individual return, often using Schedule C. S corporations, partnerships, and C corporations generally file separate business tax returns.
Do You Do Bookkeeping Too?
Yes. BATS provides monthly bookkeeping and accounting services for small businesses.
Bookkeeping and tax preparation are priced separately.
Is My Information Safe Online?
BATS uses secure online systems for sensitive client documents and signatures, multi-factor authentication, and written information-security procedures.
What You Can Count On From Our Tax Return Preparation Services
One Price, Agreed Before We Start
In writing. No surprise bill after the return is finished.
A Real Person to Call
Not a ticket. Not a chatbot.
Not someone who disappears after April.
We'll Tell You the Truth
If your return is simple enough that you don't need us, we'll say so. If something needs attention, we'll say that too.
You Already Know What It Costs. Now Let's See Where You Land.
Tell us what your year looked like.
We'll tell you which price range fits, what we need, and whether BATS is the right fit.
What would we notice if we looked at last year's return?
A quick, no-pressure conversation about your tax situation and whether we're the right firm for you.
Returns From $350
Price Before We Start
Here After April
Virtual-First