PRICING & FEES
CPA Service Rates
Transparent Pricing for Tax Preparation, Accounting, and IRS Resolution
At AI Tax Consulting PLLC, we believe in clear, upfront pricing with no hidden surprises. Every return and every business is unique, so we provide structured starting fees based on complexity and the forms involved. Individual taxpayers, small business owners, military families, and real estate investors rely on our licensed CPA firm for accurate, compliant, and ethical work. Whether you need a simple W-2 return, a multi-state business filing, or help resolving IRS issues, you’ll know exactly what to expect before we begin.
We serve clients in Stafford, Fredericksburg, Northern Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, and nationwide through our secure Client Portal.
| Basic Individual Return (Single, W-2 Only) Single filing status, one W-2, no dependents, no additional income sources, and standard deduction only. Married filing jointly and other filing statuses are priced separately based on complexity. |
$400 and up |
| Standard Individual Return Multiple W-2s, Social Security benefits, retirement income (1099-R), dependents, bank interest/dividends, and other common income sources. Standard deduction only. No rentals, no business income, no brokerage accounts. |
$650 and up |
| Itemized Return (Schedule A) Includes mortgage interest, property taxes, charitable deductions, medical deductions, and other itemized expenses. May also include unemployment income, HSA reporting, ACA marketplace forms (1095-A), and other added documents. |
$600 and up |
| Returns with Brokerage Investments Capital gains/losses, consolidated 1099 forms, multiple lots, wash sales, and dividend/interest activity from investment or brokerage accounts. |
$700 and up |
| Returns with Rental Income (Schedule E) | $750 and up |
| Schedule C (Self-Employed / Contractor) | $800 and up |
| Complex Combined Return Returns that combine several items such as itemized deductions, brokerage investments, one or more rentals, Schedule C business income, and multiple states. |
$1,000 and up |
| Crypto / Digital Asset Reporting Requires a consolidated crypto tax report from a provider such as CoinTracker, CoinTracking, Koinly, or ZenLedger, covering all wallets and exchanges. Reports are subject to review; reconciliation, missing records, and corrections may require additional fees. |
$250+ add-on |
| Multi-State Filing | $75–$100 per additional state |
| Amended Returns (Form 1040X) | $750 and up |
| Prior-Year Unfiled Returns | $600 and up per year |
| Additional Forms & Complexity Add-Ons Examples include: – K-1s from partnerships or S corporations – Education credits (Form 8863) – Childcare credit (Form 2441) – HSA reporting (Form 8889) – QBI calculation – Additional 1099-B brokerage packages |
$50–$250+ per form |
| International Tax & Foreign Reporting Examples include FBAR (FinCEN Form 114), foreign tax credit calculations (Form 1116), and Forms 3520, 3520-A, 5471, 5472, 8621, 8858, 8865, and 8938, as applicable. Fees depend on the forms required, ownership structure, transactions, and available records. |
Quoted separately |
| All individual return fees are starting points and reflect typical ranges. Actual fees vary based on the combination of forms, number of accounts or properties, and overall complexity. These amounts are provided as general guidelines only; the final invoice is issued when the return is completed. | |
| Single-Member LLC taxed as Sole Proprietor Reported on your personal Schedule C |
Included in Schedule C pricing |
| Partnership Return (Form 1065) | From $1,400+ |
| S-Corporation Return (Form 1120-S) | From $1,500+ |
| C-Corporation Return (Form 1120) | From $1,500+ |
| Multi-State or Complex Entity Structures | Quoted individually |
| Final pricing depends on number of partners/shareholders, K-1s, payroll activity, bookkeeping quality, depreciation, and the number of states filed. | |
| Essential Bookkeeping Low transaction volume, one bank and one credit card account, basic monthly reconciliation |
From $350/month |
| Growth Bookkeeping Moderate activity, multiple accounts, growing businesses needing monthly categorization and reconciliations |
From $500/month |
| Advanced Bookkeeping High-volume activity, multiple accounts, detailed reporting, monthly financial statements |
From $1,000/month |
| Catch-Up Bookkeeping / Cleanup Prior-year or multi-year cleanup to bring books current and tax-ready |
$250/hour or quoted per project |
| Pricing depends on number of accounts, monthly transactions, payroll activity, integrations, and bookkeeping accuracy. A review of bank statements or QuickBooks is required before quoting. | |
| Installment Agreement Assistance (IRS or State) Assistance evaluating payment-plan options and requesting an installment agreement. Cases requiring detailed financial disclosures or complex negotiations are quoted separately. |
$1,500 and up |
| Penalty Abatement Requests Review of potential penalty-relief eligibility and preparation of a request. Fees depend on the basis for relief, documentation, and number of tax periods. |
$1,000 and up |
| Currently Not Collectible (CNC) Status Request Financial review, preparation of required disclosures, and assistance requesting a temporary suspension of IRS collection activity. |
$3,500 and up |
| Offer in Compromise (OIC) Preparation and representation following an eligibility review. Any separate eligibility-review fee is disclosed before work begins. |
$8,000 and up |
| Correspondence Audit Representation (IRS or State) Representation for a defined examination conducted by mail. Includes review of specified issues, supporting documentation, and written responses within the agreed scope. Expanded examinations and appeals are quoted separately. |
$3,000 and up |
| Office or Field Audit Representation (IRS or State) Representation for examinations involving examiner meetings, extensive document requests, and detailed review of tax returns or business records. Fees are determined after an initial case review. Appeals and additional proceedings are quoted separately. |
$15,000 and up |
| IRS or State Tax Notice Review & Response Review and response for a defined notice or account issue. Excludes audit representation and complex collection matters. |
$500 and up |
| Complex State Tax Resolution Matters involving multiple tax periods, substantial assessments, financial disclosures, collection negotiations, or multiple agencies. |
Quoted separately |
| Fees are starting points and depend on the tax years, issues, records, financial disclosures, deadlines, and agency involvement. The scope and fee arrangement are established before work begins. Tax return preparation, appeals, additional proceedings, and ongoing monitoring are quoted separately unless expressly included. Government fees and required tax payments are additional. Approval of penalty relief, collection alternatives, or other requested outcomes is not guaranteed. | |
| Brief CPA Consultation (Phone or Video) Short consultation to discuss a specific question or situation and outline next steps. Typically up to 30 minutes. |
$175 |
| In-Office Consultation One-on-one meeting in the office to review your situation in more detail, discuss options, and plan next steps. Typically up to 60 minutes. |
$300 |
| Extended or Custom Consultation For issues that require additional time, deeper review, or multiple questions beyond a standard session. |
$250/hour |
| Tax Planning Session with Summary In-depth planning for individuals or small business owners, including review of your current year, projections, and a written summary of recommended strategies. |
$750 and up |
| Entity Selection / Restructuring Consultation Discussion of LLC, S-corporation, C-corporation, and other options, including tax impact and next steps. |
$300 and up |
| IRS Transcript & Prior Return Review Review of IRS transcripts and/or previously filed returns to identify issues, missed items, or next steps before starting a full engagement. |
$250–$500+ |
| QuickBooks / Accounting File Review Review of your existing accounting file to assess accuracy, identify problems, and scope any needed cleanup work. |
$250/hour |
| 1099-NEC / 1099-MISC Preparation Preparation and e-filing of required 1099s for contractors or vendors, for clients whose books we maintain or review. |
From $25 per form (minimums apply) |
| Professional Letters and Explanatory Statements Preparation of formal letters or explanatory statements based on your completed returns and accounting records, for appropriate third parties when needed (for example, clarifying tax items or income reporting). |
$250 and up |
| Hourly CPA Services For work that does not fit a fixed package (research, advisory, complex questions, or special projects), standard hourly rates apply. |
$250/hour |
| Miscellaneous CPA service fees are starting ranges and may vary based on time required, research involved, document volume, and urgency. Professional letters and explanatory statements are prepared only for existing clients and are not comfort letters or assurance services. All work is billed through our secure client portal, and a detailed invoice is issued when the engagement is completed. | |
Frequently Asked Pricing Questions
A list of frequently asked questions to help you understand how it works.
1. How Does Our Pricing Work?
As a licensed CPA firm, we follow professional standards and due diligence requirements on every engagement. That means we do more than simply enter numbers into software. We review the information you provide, ask follow-up questions when something does not look right, and make sure filings are consistent, supportable, and compliant.
For individual returns, there is a minimum fee for basic returns and higher starting points for itemized, investment, rental, and complex cases. For business returns, pricing increases with the number of owners, states, schedules, and the condition of the bookkeeping. For bookkeeping and IRS resolution, fees depend on transaction volume, number of accounts or years, and the depth of analysis required.
Most engagements begin with a retainer or scheduled consultation. Once the work is completed and reviewed, the remaining balance is billed through the portal. This allows us to deliver thorough, accurate work without cutting corners just to fit into a flat-fee box.
2. What can make a tax return or project cost more?
Several factors can make a return or project more complex than it first appears. Common examples include multiple brokerage statements, several rental properties, business income on Schedule C, K-1s from partnerships or S corporations, foreign accounts or trusts, multi-state filings, prior-year cleanup work, or IRS issues that surface once we begin reviewing your documents.
Our pricing tables reflect this by showing higher starting points for returns that include these items, as well as separate ranges for additional forms and complexity add-ons. This approach helps keep expectations realistic and protects both you and the firm from surprises later in the process.
3. Why choose a CPA instead of an uncredentialed preparer or DIY software?
Our firm regularly encounters returns prepared by do-it-yourself software or unlicensed preparers that contain missed income, overstated deductions, incorrect basis or capital gains, misreported rentals, or unfiled foreign disclosures. These issues can lead to IRS notices, penalties, and expensive corrections later.
As a licensed CPA, Assel Ibrayeva is held to a higher professional standard. Returns are prepared with documentation in mind, reasonable positions under the tax law, and a focus on long-term compliance. While our fees may be higher than discount preparers, many clients find that accurate, ethical work and fewer problems with the IRS are well worth the difference.
4. Is Our Firm the Right Fit for You?
We are a good fit for individuals and small business owners who value accuracy, ethics, and clear communication. Our clients are generally comfortable using a secure online portal, are willing to provide complete documentation, and understand that quality professional services require an appropriate investment.
We may not be the best fit if you are looking for the lowest possible price, want us to “match” aggressive positions taken elsewhere without documentation, or prefer to rush through filings without proper review. Our goal is to build long-term relationships with clients who appreciate thorough work and proactive guidance.
5. What situations typically increase the cost of a tax return?
Complex filings such as brokerage statements, multiple rental properties, K-1s, business income, equity compensation, foreign reporting, and multi-state activity typically require more time and review, which increases the final fee.
6. How is my final price determined?
We review your documents, determine the forms and reporting requirements, apply the base price, and then add complexity factors such as multi-state filings, rentals, equity compensation, or crypto activity.
7. Do you match prices from other firms or preparers?
No. We focus on accurate, ethical preparation, and our pricing reflects the time and diligence required to meet CPA standards and protect clients from IRS issues.
8. Can you give me an exact quote before I upload documents?
Only general ranges can be provided before reviewing documentation. A final invoice is issued after the return is completed, based on the forms, schedules, and complexity involved.
9. Do I have to pay a retainer?
Yes. A $400 retainer is required for individual returns. Business returns and IRS resolution engagements may require a larger retainer.
10. Do you charge a flat fee or hourly?
Most tax returns are priced based on complexity and the forms involved. Consultations, bookkeeping cleanup, and IRS representation may be billed hourly or by project.
11. When is payment due?
The remaining balance is billed once all work is completed and before filing.
12. What if someone else prepared my return and it needs fixing?
We frequently correct returns filed by unlicensed preparers or DIY software. Amendments and cleanup work are billed separately based on complexity.
13. Do you work with stock options and RSUs?
Yes. Equity compensation (RSUs, ISOs, NSOs, ESPPs) requires specialized reporting and often increases complexity.
14. Do you prepare military tax returns?
Yes. Military tax returns may involve PCS moves, combat zone rules, residency issues, and multi-state filings. Preparation fees start at $600 and vary based on complexity.
AI TAX CONSULTING PLLC - LICENSED NORTHERN VIRGINIA CPA FIRM
Discuss your service needs and the factors that determine your tax preparation or accounting fees.