HELP & CLIENT RESOURCES
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers, prepare the right documents, and access helpful client resources—before and after filing.
COMMON QUESTIONS
A few things
worth knowing.
Practical answers before we begin. For your specific situation, give us a call.
See the full document checklist ↗What documents should I prepare?
You may need photo ID, SSNs or ITINs, last year's return, tax forms, and records for deductions or business income. See our document checklist below; not every item applies to everyone.
Do you work with clients outside Washington?
Yes. Our services are primarily online, and we welcome federal tax inquiries from across the United States, subject to state-specific requirements and the details of each return. Local in-person meetings in King and Pierce Counties are possible by appointment, when available.
How do I safely send tax documents?
Use the Secure Upload link on our website to send your tax records through Encyro. You can submit files without creating an account. Please do not email tax documents or Social Security numbers.
Do you handle prior-year or amended returns?
Yes, for eligible prior-year individual returns and amendments (Form 1040-X). Call to discuss the years involved and what records are available.
What do the starting prices include?
A straightforward W-2 individual return starts at $150. A straightforward self-employed Schedule C return, including an eligible single-member LLC, starts at $250. State individual income tax returns are an additional $50 per state when required. Complex returns may cost more.
What if I live outside the United States?
U.S. citizens and certain other taxpayers living abroad may still need to file U.S. returns. You are welcome to contact us about your situation. International returns may require forms and software we do not currently support, so availability is determined case by case.
Can Washington residents get an additional state refund?
Yes. Eligible residents can separately apply for the Washington Working Families Tax Credit even though the state has no regular individual income tax. Qualifications and amounts vary by year. Check eligibility ↗
CLIENT DOCUMENTS
Before you upload
Not sure what to send? Check the list first. You only need documents relevant to your situation or requested by our office.
GET READY
What to have
on hand.
Every return is different. Here is a practical checklist to help you get started. You won't need every item—please share only what's relevant or requested.
Identity & prior returns
- Government-issued photo ID for you and your spouse (if filing jointly).
- Social Security numbers or ITINs and birth dates for everyone on the return.
- Last year’s federal and state tax returns, if available.
- IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), if issued.
Income & investments
- W-2s; 1099-NEC, 1099-MISC, 1099-K, and 1099-G forms.
- 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-B, stock sales, and digital asset records.
- 1099-R and SSA-1099 for retirement or Social Security income.
- K-1s, rental records, and other income documents if applicable.
Deductions & family
- Form 1095-A for Marketplace health insurance, if received.
- Mortgage interest, property taxes, tuition, and charitable contribution records.
- Childcare expenses and the provider’s tax ID, if claiming the credit.
- HSA contributions, retirement contributions, and other relevant deduction records.
Self-employment & business
- Business income totals, invoices, and payment-platform statements.
- Business expense summaries, receipts, and mileage logs.
- Equipment purchases and home-office details, if applicable.
- Federal and state estimated tax payments made during the year.
- Download the free business income & expense worksheet (EN / RU / UK) ↗
Payments & other details
- Bank routing and account numbers only if you want direct deposit or electronic tax payments—never bank passwords.
- States where you lived or worked, with dates and tax withholding details.
- Relevant IRS or state tax notices and letters.
Have foreign income or foreign financial accounts? Tell us before submitting records; international situations are reviewed individually. For your security, share sensitive information only through our secure portal, never by regular email.
Securely Upload Documents ↗Ready to send your documents? Use our secure portal after checking this list.
Securely Upload Documents ↗PRACTICAL CLIENT RESOURCES
Before & after you file.
Prepare your Schedule C expenses
Choose a one-page printable worksheet or monthly Excel tracker. Starred (*) expenses point to educational articles. See the separate completed example for how to organize totals. This is not an official IRS form.
Choose your language — download only the one-page worksheet you need:
Print one page and write approximate annual amounts by hand.
See a completed example:
Where's my tax refund?
Track refunds using official government websites. Never enter a Social Security number on an unofficial tracking site.
- Federal: choose tax year; enter SSN/ITIN, filing status, and exact federal refund amount.
- WA WFTC: after applying separately, select tax year; enter last 4 digits of SSN/ITIN, birth date, and Form 1040 line 1z income.
Did you know about the Working Families Tax Credit?
Washington has no regular individual income tax, but eligible residents can apply for a separate state Working Families Tax Credit payment. It is not automatically included with a federal refund.
For tax year 2025, qualifying residents may receive $50–$1,330, depending on income and qualifying children. Eligibility rules and a separate application apply.
Ready for your appointment?
Use our document checklist and secure client portal for sensitive information—not ordinary email. English, Russian, and Ukrainian are welcome.
FOR CLIENTS
Documents, handled
with care.
Have W-2s, 1099s, or other tax records to send? Upload them through our secure Encyro page.
See the full document checklist ↗For your protection, do not send Social Security numbers or tax documents through regular email.
Upload tax documents
First review the document checklist, then use this secure portal to send the records you need.
▤ What Documents Do I Need? →Upload Documents ↗Opens Encyro secure upload in a new tab