Business Entity Selection

Choosing the form of entity of your business (e.g. "S" corporation, sole proprietor, limited liability company…) is a crucial decision that can have longstanding tax implications, positive or negative. We can assist you in evaluating the pros and cons of each entity type to help you determine the most advantageous form of business for your company.

Consulting Services

We gauge our worth by the personal and business successes of our clients. We can help your business identify areas negatively affecting profitability and growth and develop solutions that are practical and technically sound. In addition to acting as a sounding board for management, we provide comprehensive, flexible strategies that address the issues affecting your business. The following are just a few of the areas in which we provide consulting services:

*Accounting software selection and implementation

*Type of entity selection

*Business valuations

*Buying/selling a business

*Computer systems

*Financial & retirement decisions

*Estate, trust & gift planning

Computer Consulting

Whether you are contemplating the addition of new computer hardware or overhauling your network, our experienced staff can assist you with many of the difficult decisions that must be made when designing your business' computer systems.  You may contact George directly at george@americanfinancialtax.com

1099 Tax Law Enforcement

The way the IRS is approaching 1099 and reporting is being followed more closely and being more strictly enforced.  It is very important to note that for some time now the IRS and the state of California are preparing to go after misclassified workers.  Because of Vicki's involvement with our legislators in endeavoring to assist taxpayers to pay less taxes she has been close to this issue.  Taxpayers who are non compliant will be boxed into a corner.  It is our goal to keep you safe.  Here is a booklet we have prepared to inform you of this issue.  Please feel free to distribute it as you wish.  We put it into the Public Domain.  All we ask is that you give Vicki credit for the document.  Please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions or need consulting on this matter.

You may download the document here:  1099 Reporting

Accounting Services

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Audit Services

Oh, no, they said the "A" word. Audit. Your heart rate increases a little just hearing the word. And now, you’ve opened the mail and there it is-- The Internal Revenue Service, Federal Tax Board, EDD or Board of Equalization is requesting an audit. If we did your filings we will represent you at the audit, we stand behind our work one hundred percent. We will represent you at any and all audits or hearings required. It’s a part of our total commitment to our clients. “But you didn’t do the work”, you say. “A national chain does my taxes and now that it’s July, their office is closed.” “My bookkeeper did them, but she’s not comfortable with an audit.” Or even, “Uh, the guy who used to do my taxes is …um…doing two to five in a federal correctional institute.” No matter who prepared your paperwork, we can help you with an audit. Under federal law, only a CPA, an Attorney or an Enrolled Agent can represent a taxpayer to an IRS Collections Officer. And of the three, Enrolled Agents are the only tax professionals required by Federal Law to maintain their expertise through continuous professional education. You’re in good hands, Vicki not only attends classes, she teaches other professionals. (click here to read about Enrolled Agents and here to read about Vicki) We’ll review your filings to insure there are no obvious errors. We’ll talk with the agency ordering the audit to insure we have the necessary documentation. If we find errors or omissions we’ll take steps to correct them; filing amended returns, adjusting your record-keeping procedures or whatever is necessary to correct any problems we encounter. We’ll be ready to represent you at the audit. By the way, The IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 allows federally authorized practitioners a limited client privilege. This privilege allows confidentiality between the taxpayer and the Enrolled Agent under certain conditions. The privilege applies to situations where the taxpayer is being represented in cases involving audits and collection matters. Feel free to discuss the issue of privilege when you meet with Vicki. If you’ve received notice of an audit, don’t hesitate. Call our office and schedule an appointment immediately. In an audit, communication is key.

Bookkeeping/Write-Up

We are so excited to announce our new QuickBooks ProAdvisor status! Kris Jones is our Certified QuickBooks Advisor ready to assist with setup, training, cleanup, and remote assistance for new and existing clients working with the QuickBooks program.

We’re proud of our bookkeeping staff. We offer full service bookkeeping and payroll services. Whether it's for an individual or for a business, we’ll keep your books and prepare the necessary statements—accurately and professionally.

Our financial statements are flawless. You’ll find them complete, concise and of a quality consistent with or more likely, higher than, industry standards. We leave no gray areas. Our statements can, without question, be used in any appropriate manner, be it submitting them to various government agencies, tax specialists or banking institutions.

Our clients can rely on our expertise. Every member of our staff has been trained both here in the office and at professional seminars and meetings to keep up with the ever-changing world of tax and finance. We read the journals as well as the updates from the various state and federal agencies. Keeping current is just one of our many ways of better serving our clients. We are also proud of our state-of-the-art computer system and the skill each staff member has in utilizing them. Computer programs are only as good as the skills of those using them and it is a matter of pride with us to insure every staff member is computer literate. Our clients come to us because of our personal service, attention to detail, and lack of government notices. If you are in need of Bookkeeping and/or Payroll services, call us. We’ll be delighted to discuss it with you. We have many clients also come to us with those QuickBook, Quicken, Great Plains, Peachtree, and other accounting program reports that don't seem to be working right, or well enough for them. Please call us now to set a time that we may go over them with you.

Tax Services

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Estate & Trust Tax Preparation

Effective estate and gift planning facilitates the orderly transfer of assets to your beneficiaries, provides security for your surviving spouse, and can reduce or eliminate the tax due on the transfer of your business and other assets. For business owners, providing for business continuity and succession of ownership is essential. We can guide you through the complex process of getting your financial affairs in order.

Sales Tax Services

Many of our clients are responsible for collecting and submitting sales taxes in many different vicinities. We can assist your company in the compilation of information and preparation of sales tax returns in an efficient and timely manner.

Tax Planning & Preparation

Taxes.  They’re inevitable and unavoidable.  We can, however, plan for them, and we must file them; it’s part of the cost of living in modern society, and planning is an important way to decrease tax liability 

Tax planning and preparation form a winning combination for our successful individual and business clients. Whether you are an individual or a multi-tiered partnership, our experienced staff can develop tax strategies that take advantage of new tax laws and legislation.

Other Services

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Notary Public

California is among a handful of states that require notary education in the form of an approved course, a notary exam, and a thorough background check prior to approval. After receiving approval, California notaries public must purchase a notary bond, a seal stamp from an approved vendor, and a notary journal, at a minimum. Bring us your important documents for notarization.

Miscellaneous

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Public Speaking Events - Booking

One of the most exciting aspects of Vicki’s life as an Enrolled Agent and a Certified Financial Planner^TM has been the demand for her presentations on a number of tax issues. The past year Vicki has been very busy-- not only in her private practice but on the speaking circuit as well. This year she’s traveled throughout California and our neighboring states. Vicki trains the experts. There are fewer than 45,000 enrolled agents in the entire United States. All are well educated and all are required to keep their skills current. A few have taken their responsibilities to the highest level and they are the crème de la crème – many of Vicki’s presentations are designed to aid these Enrolled Agents and Certified Financial Planners in keeping current with the changes in tax law and to meet their continuing education requirements. A natural speaker, Vicki provides clear and precise information in a well-organized, informative and interesting format.

If your organization is interested in this dynamic speaker, please contact our office as soon as possible. We are currently accepting engagements for 2010 and 2011. Do you need a presentation made for you? Or, do you need to purchase a copy of one of Vicki's presentations (on CD and the syllabi) for your own study or for continuing education within your office?

We are available to speak at your events. Please review our schedule below. If you wish to participate in one of the events, visit our Events Calendar in the Info Center for a detailed description of the times, locations, and event details.

2011-2012 Speaking Calendar

Enrolled Agent - IRS Representation

The Enrolled Agent profession dates back to 1884.  Because of many questionable claims for Civil War losses, Congress acted to regulate who could represent citizens in their dealings with the Treasury Department.  ”Enrolled” means licensed by the Federal Government. “Agent” means authorized to appear in place of the taxpayer before the IRS. EAs are advocates for the taxpayer, not the government.