Frequently Asked Questions

We offer straightforward, flat-fee pricing rather than hourly billing. Individual tax returns start at $500, with pricing based on the complexity of your tax situation. We'll discuss your fee upfront so there are no surprises.

Getting started is easy! Simply call our office or send us an email. We'll discuss your tax preparation needs, answer any initial questions, and explain our pricing and process. Once you're ready to move forward, we'll provide access to our secure client portal, where you can conveniently upload your tax documents. We work with clients locally in Rochester, NY, and virtually nationwide.

Yes. Aligned Tax Advisors is led by a New York State licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA), providing professional tax preparation and planning services for individuals and businesses.

We work with a wide range of individuals, families, retirees, and small business owners. Whether you have a straightforward tax return or a more complex situation involving investments, rental properties, or multiple sources of income, our team can help. We focus on providing accurate tax preparation, proactive guidance, and a straightforward experience.

We make tax preparation convenient and secure. Clients can upload documents through our secure online portal, send them electronically using our encrypted document-sharing system, or drop them off at our Rochester-area office. Most individual tax returns are completed within 1–2 weeks after we receive all necessary documents, depending on complexity and the time of year. We'll keep you informed throughout the process and reach out if any additional information is needed.

While Aligned Tax Advisors is based in Rochester, New York, we serve clients nationwide. Our team prepares federal and state income tax returns for individuals, families, retirees, and small business owners across the United States. With our secure electronic document-sharing process, you can work with us entirely remotely, regardless of where you live. Whether you have moved out of New York, work in multiple states, or simply prefer the convenience of virtual tax preparation, we're here to help.

Receiving a letter from the IRS or a state tax agency doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong. If you receive a notice, our team can review it, explain what it means, and help determine the appropriate next steps. For returns prepared by Aligned Tax Advisors, we'll review notices related to our preparation work at no additional charge. More extensive assistance, including audit representation, responding to complex tax notices, or resolving prior-year issues, may involve additional fees. Any applicable costs will be discussed upfront before work begins.

At Aligned Tax Advisors, we use Encyro, a secure document-sharing platform designed to protect sensitive financial and tax information. Encyro uses encryption to safeguard documents and supports multi-factor authentication (MFA) for an additional layer of account security. Clients can securely upload tax documents, exchange messages, and receive completed returns online. Our goal is to make the tax preparation process convenient while keeping your personal information protected.

Yes. At Aligned Tax Advisors, all tax returns we prepare are signed by the responsible paid tax preparer and include their IRS-issued Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), as required by federal law. We believe in transparency, accountability, and professional standards. You'll always know who is responsible for preparing your return.

At Aligned Tax Advisors, accuracy is a top priority. However, if an error occurs, we take responsibility for reviewing the issue and determining the appropriate steps to correct it. If we make a preparation error, we'll correct the return at no additional charge and assist with any necessary amended filings or correspondence with the IRS or state tax agencies. Our goal is to resolve issues promptly, communicate clearly, and make the process as stress-free as possible.

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) allow eligible individuals age 70½ or older to make charitable donations directly from their IRAs while potentially reducing taxable income. At Aligned Tax Advisors, we ensure QCDs are properly reported on your tax return and explain their potential tax benefits. For clients seeking more comprehensive retirement income and charitable giving strategies, these services are generally incorporated into ongoing financial planning through Aligned Retirement Planners.

Our primary focus at Aligned Tax Advisors is annual tax preparation. More comprehensive tax planning, including mid-year and year-end tax projections, Roth conversion strategies, retirement distributions, and managing Medicare-related income thresholds (IRMAA), is generally incorporated into ongoing financial planning relationships through Aligned Retirement Planners. We do not typically offer these services as standalone engagements for tax preparation clients.

Our primary focus at Aligned Tax Advisors is annual tax preparation. More comprehensive tax planning, including Roth conversions, retirement income strategies, and tax-efficient investment planning, is generally provided as part of the broader financial planning services offered through Aligned Retirement Planners. These services are designed for ongoing financial planning relationships rather than one-time tax planning engagements.