Accounting & tax guides
Taxes and bookkeeping can feel confusing, especially if English is not your first language or you are handling US paperwork for the first time. These guides are here to help you understand the basics, avoid common mistakes, and get matched for free with a licensed accountant when you are ready.
How to Choose an Accountant
License or credential, PTIN, references, fees, and the red flags that should make you walk away from a tax preparer or accountant.
Open GuidesCPA vs EA vs Tax Preparer — What's the Difference?
What a CPA, an IRS Enrolled Agent, and an unlicensed preparer can each do, who is regulated, and which one is right for your situation.
Open GuidesHow Much Does an Accountant Cost?
Typical fees for tax prep, bookkeeping, payroll, and advisory — hourly vs flat fee — so you can read a quote with open eyes.
Open GuidesYour Rights as a Taxpayer
The Taxpayer Bill of Rights in plain language, what a preparer must and must not do, and how to protect yourself from fraud.
Open GuidesWhat Documents Your Accountant Needs
The forms, statements, and records a preparer needs to file an accurate return — for employees, the self-employed, and small businesses.
Open GuidesBookkeeping Basics for a Small Business
Income, expenses, receipts, and reconciliation explained simply — what to track, how often, and when to hand it to a bookkeeper.
Open GuidesSmall-Business Tax Basics
Quarterly estimates, self-employment tax, deductions, and entity choice — the tax basics every small-business owner should understand.
Open GuidesHow to Avoid Tax-Preparer Fraud
Ghost preparers, refund skimming, and the warning signs of a dishonest tax preparer — and how to file a complaint.
Open GuidesDo I Need an Accountant or Can I DIY My Taxes?
Do I Need an Accountant or Can I DIY My Taxes? — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesHow to Find an Accountant Who Speaks Your Language
How to Find an Accountant Who Speaks Your Language — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesWhat Is a CPA, and What Can They Do?
What Is a CPA, and What Can They Do? — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesWhat Is an IRS Enrolled Agent?
What Is an IRS Enrolled Agent? — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesHow to Verify a Tax Preparer's Credential and PTIN
How to Verify a Tax Preparer's Credential and PTIN — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesFlat Fee vs Hourly: How Accountants Charge
Flat Fee vs Hourly: How Accountants Charge — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesHow to Read an Accounting Engagement Letter
How to Read an Accounting Engagement Letter — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesQuestions to Ask an Accountant Before You Hire
Questions to Ask an Accountant Before You Hire — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesCommon Self-Employed Tax Deductions
Common Self-Employed Tax Deductions — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesThe Home Office Deduction, Explained
The Home Office Deduction, Explained — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesQuarterly Estimated Taxes, Explained
Quarterly Estimated Taxes, Explained — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open Guides1099 vs W-2: What's the Difference?
1099 vs W-2: What's the Difference? — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesHow to File Taxes With an ITIN
How to File Taxes With an ITIN — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesHow to Apply for an ITIN
How to Apply for an ITIN — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesTaxes for New Immigrants in the US
Taxes for New Immigrants in the US — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesResident vs Nonresident for Tax: A Plain Guide
Resident vs Nonresident for Tax: A Plain Guide — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesForeign Income and US Taxes, Explained
Foreign Income and US Taxes, Explained — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesHow to Choose a Business Structure
How to Choose a Business Structure — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesLLC vs Sole Proprietor: Tax Differences
LLC vs Sole Proprietor: Tax Differences — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesS-Corp Basics for a Small Business
S-Corp Basics for a Small Business — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesHow to Set Up Bookkeeping From Scratch
How to Set Up Bookkeeping From Scratch — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesCash vs Accrual Accounting, Explained
Cash vs Accrual Accounting, Explained — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesHow to Organize Receipts for Tax Time
How to Organize Receipts for Tax Time — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesWhat Is a Profit and Loss Statement?
What Is a Profit and Loss Statement? — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesWhat Is a Balance Sheet?
What Is a Balance Sheet? — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesHow to Catch Up on Back Bookkeeping
How to Catch Up on Back Bookkeeping — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesSales Tax Basics for a Small Business
Sales Tax Basics for a Small Business — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesPayroll Taxes for a Small Employer, Explained
Payroll Taxes for a Small Employer, Explained — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesHow to Pay Contractors and File 1099s
How to Pay Contractors and File 1099s — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesWhat to Do When You Get an IRS Notice
What to Do When You Get an IRS Notice — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesHow to Fix a Mistake on Your Tax Return
How to Fix a Mistake on Your Tax Return — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesWhat Happens in a Tax Audit
What Happens in a Tax Audit — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesHow to Make Sure You Don't Overpay Taxes
How to Make Sure You Don't Overpay Taxes — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesYear-End Tax Checklist for a Small Business
Year-End Tax Checklist for a Small Business — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesSigns It's Time to Switch Accountants
Signs It's Time to Switch Accountants — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesHow to Budget for Accounting Fees
How to Budget for Accounting Fees — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesFree vs Paid Tax Filing: Which Is Right for You?
Free vs Paid Tax Filing: Which Is Right for You? — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
Open GuidesHow Long to Keep Your Tax Records
How Long to Keep Your Tax Records — a plain-language guide for individuals and small businesses. Honest information, free matching with a licensed accountant.
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