EA-led review on every income tax return before filing.
Richmond, Virginia Filing Support
Richmond Tax Preparation Services
Federated Tax provides EA-led tax preparation for individuals, self-employed professionals, and small business owners across Richmond. Every return moves through a structured review process built around accurate filing, clear communication, and secure document handling, so you understand what was filed and why before anything is submitted to the IRS or the state of Virginia.
Secure, encrypted upload reviewed by your tax pro.
Plain-language explanation before your income tax return is filed.
Expert tax preparation with IRS representation if a question arises.
EA-Led Preparation
An Enrolled Agent is a federally authorized tax specialist licensed by the Department of the Treasury to prepare tax returns and represent taxpayers before the IRS. Unlike credentials limited to state licensing, EA status is federal, covering individual, self-employed, and business filings across all fifty states. When a return raises a question after filing, an Enrolled Agent can respond to IRS correspondence, explain the positions taken, and represent you directly, without handing your case to an outside preparer. That representation authority is the reason many self-employed professionals and small business owners look for EA-led preparation rather than a preparer who can only complete forms.
Returns We Prepare
We prepare a wide range of federal and state tax returns for individuals and business entities. The right filing depends on your entity type, income sources, and filing history, so not every category below applies to every client.
- Individual income tax filings covering wage, investment, and self-employment income
- Schedule C filings for sole proprietors and independent contractors
- LLC returns, prepared according to the entity's tax election
- Partnership returns
- S-Corporation returns
- C-Corporation returns
- Rental property returns
- Multi-state returns for clients who live or work across state lines
- Prior-period returns for years that were not filed on time
- Amended returns to correct a previously filed return
Who We Serve
Our work fits several types of readers who need more than a basic, single-form filing. Each situation calls for a different mix of forms and documentation. We tailor the scope of work to the filings that actually apply to you.
- Individuals with complex filings, such as multiple income sources or significant life changes
- Self-employed professionals who need Schedule C support
- Small business owners who need entity-level and owner-level coordination
- Rental property owners with depreciation and expense records to track
- Readers with multi-state income or prior-period returns still outstanding
Document Checklist
Before your appointment, gather the records that support an accurate income tax return.
- A copy of your prior-year income tax return
- W-2 and 1099 forms
- Business income and expense records
- Bookkeeping reports, such as a profit and loss statement
- Payroll records, if you have employees
- Estimated tax payments made during the year
- Rental income and expense records, if applicable
- Government-issued identification for identity verification
- Any IRS or state notices you have received
Organized records shorten the review process and reduce back-and-forth before filing.
Preparation Process
Our preparation process follows six consistent steps from first contact to final delivery:
- We start with a short intake conversation to understand your filing situation and the tax year involved, along with any prior issues.
- You upload your documents through a secure, encrypted portal rather than email attachments, keeping sensitive information off of email servers.
- Your preparer reviews every document for completeness and flags anything that looks missing before moving forward.
- We follow up with specific questions and request corrections before any numbers are finalized.
- You receive a draft return to review, ask questions about, and approve before it is filed with any tax authority.
- Once approved, we e-file your return and deliver final copies for your records, along with instructions for any next steps.
Business Returns
Business tax preparation usually involves more than one filing. An LLC, partnership, S-Corporation, or C-Corporation return often needs to be coordinated with the owner's individual filing, since business income flows through to personal returns in many structures. Before we can complete a business return, we typically need current bookkeeping records, payroll reports if you have employees, and documentation for any deductions claimed. Tax savings of sole proprietor filers, for example, cannot be projected in advance. When records are incomplete or a bookkeeping cleanup is needed first, that work can affect how quickly a return is ready, and it may be appropriate to file for an extension while records are finalized. We do not estimate outcomes before reviewing your documentation.
Scope and Timing
Cost and turnaround time depend on the forms involved, the number of entities, the quality of your records, whether prior-year filings are missing, and how close we are to filing-season capacity. A simple individual return with clean documents takes less time to prepare than a return that includes multiple schedules, a business entity, or catch-up filings for prior years. How much does tax preparation cost? There is no single answer, because average cost of tax preparation varies by complexity, and we are not able to quote a number sight unseen. You will receive a written scope and quote before any work begins, so there are no surprises once preparation starts.
After Filing
After your return is filed, you receive final copies along with instructions for paying any balance due or tracking your expected refund. If quarterly estimated tax payments apply to your situation, we outline the schedule so you can plan ahead. We recommend keeping copies of your filed return and supporting records for several years in case questions come up later. If the IRS or a state agency sends a notice, contact us before responding on your own; representation is available if a question needs to go back to the agency. Many clients also choose to file an amended return later or move into year-round tax planning once filing season ends.
Review Standards
Every return goes through a structured review from an experienced tax preparer. The process is built around current tax law changes, consistency checks across forms, and documented positions for anything that could raise a question later. Before filing, your preparer walks through the return with you in plain language, so you understand each entry and approve the filing yourself rather than simply signing where indicated. If a notice arrives after filing, the same preparer who worked on your return is available to explain the position taken and respond to the IRS or state agency directly.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What does tax preparation include?
Tax preparation includes gathering your records, reviewing income and deductions, preparing the applicable federal and state forms, and reviewing the completed return with you before it is filed. The exact scope depends on whether you have a simple individual return or a more complex situation involving several business entities.
How long does preparation take, and what if I need an extension?
Turnaround depends on the complexity of your filing and current filing-season capacity. Straightforward individual returns are typically completed faster than filings involving multiple schedules or business entities. If your documents are not ready in time, we can discuss whether filing for an extension is the right option for your situation.
Can I complete my tax preparation remotely?
Yes. Documents can be uploaded through a secure online tax portal, and most communication happens by phone, email, or video call. Many clients complete the entire process without an in-person visit, though an in-person meeting is available if you prefer discussing your return that way.
What if I need to file an amended return?
If a prior return contained an error or missing information, we can review it and file an amended return to correct the record. We will explain what changed, why it changed, and what to expect from the IRS or state agency while the correction is processed.
Do you prepare returns for LLCs and other business entities?
Yes. We prepare returns for sole proprietors, partnerships, S-Corporations, C-Corporations, and LLCs, coordinated with the owner's individual filing where applicable. Business filings typically require bookkeeping records, payroll reports, and supporting documentation before preparation can begin, so timelines vary based on how complete those records are.
What happens if I get a notice from the IRS after filing?
Contact us before responding on your own. As your Enrolled Agent, we can review the notice, explain what it means, and represent you before the IRS if a response or further discussion with the agency is needed to resolve the matter.
Start Your Tax Preparation with Confidence
Federated Tax is ready to begin secure intake whenever you are. Start by gathering your prior-year return, W-2 or 1099 forms, and any business or rental records for the year in question. From there, we will confirm scope, timing, and next steps before any work begins.