We handle their annual income tax filings, quarterly estimated tax requirements, and year-end tax planning, which has become a necessity for most of them. We also emphasize the importance of income tax and estate tax planning. We provide tax consultation to our individual clients in the following areas:

• Start-up and small business tax issues for self-employed individuals
• Retirement planning for the golden year
• Stock option strategies
• Real estate transactions, including §1031 exchanges
• Estate planning
• Foreign investments

Our primary focus is professional service providers such as engineers, real estate agents/brokers, lawyers, doctors, and other business consultants. This sector also includes tech startups, real estate holding, construction, car wash, and manufacturing. We listen carefully to our clients’ goals and objectives. We offer a critical analysis of the optimal choice of entity to operate their businesses, such as C and S corporations, LLC’s, and general and limited partnerships. We assist our clients in managing their growth while minimizing their tax obligations. We also offer business succession planning strategies that are income and estate tax efficient.

We understand that the loss of a family member and the estate administration process is not only a difficult and emotional time but also unfamiliar territory for most. Our goal is to define in detail the various trust funding strategies and tax filing requirements, then help our clients make the right choices for their needs. After the estate is settled, we continue to plan for the surviving spouse and their children in managing the inherited estate. This is a growing sector of our business as we solidify our reputation and working relations with estate tax attorneys throughout the Bay Area.

We work closely with their other trusted advisors such as attorneys and investment managers to establish and manage their estate plan. Our primary focus is wealth preservation management. For this group, gift tax and income tax planning is an integral part of our services. When appropriate, we recommend planning strategies including the following:

• Family limited partnerships (FLPs)
• Grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs)
• Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust (IDGT)
• Qualified personal residence trusts (QPRTs)
• Charitable lead and remainder trusts (CLTs & CRTs)
• Private foundations
• Private annuities
• Tax deferred exchanges
• Life insurance reviews

Non-compliance in this area could result in hefty penalties and potential criminal charges. For clients who would like to become compliant, we explore and evaluate all viable options based on their facts and circumstances and often work along with their attorneys. These options may include participating in the Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures or simply filing delinquent forms if the client does not have any unreported foreign income or unpaid tax liabilities. Our goal is to recommend the optimal solution resulting in the lowest compliance costs, including back taxes and penalties.

• Tax audit representation
• Payroll services and miscellaneous sales and local tax filings
• Accounting and bookkeeping services
• Personal bill pay services
• Special projects