Why Choose Pacific Northwest Tax Service?

Selecting a competent tax professional is an important financial decision.  Here is a list of questions you might wish to ask about Pacific Northwest Tax Service and the services we offer.

What is the tax preparation training and experience of our preparers and consultants?

Pacific Northwest Tax Service is dedicated to offering our clients access to Licensed Tax Preparers, Licensed Tax Consultants and Enrolled Agents who work together as a team to provide you with an accurate tax return that gives you the greatest tax savings allowable under the law.  Our tax professionals are not paid on commission because we believe the interests of our clients need to be the foremost concern of every member of our staff.  We work to match the experience-level of our preparers and consultants with the needs of our clients. 

Are you an Enrolled Agent, Certified Public Accountant, Licensed Tax Consultant or Licensed Tax Preparer?

Our staff of tax experts hold extensive professional credentials and decades of experience. Leonard Mitchell, CPA brings years of financial and business management experience to our team. We also employ Enrolled Agents, Licensed Tax Consultants and Licensed Tax Preparers.  Our junior accountants are university graduates with degrees in accounting. Click here for a link to Our People to learn more about the credentials of our staff.

Click here to watch KATU AM Northwest Video "Tax Talk with April - How Will I Know if My Tax Professional is Competent?"

How do you stay familiar with changes to tax laws?

We recognize the importance of understanding the complexities of tax law. In 2001 we founded our own licensed vocational school to offer tax education programs. Pacific Northwest Tax School has grown to offer an extensive array of tax education programs which emphasis practical application of tax law to the completion of the tax return. Each year our entire curriculum is updated to incorporate the latest tax law changes.  Our tax preparation staff regularly attend and even instruct our tax education programs. 

How many tax clients do you serve each year?

We serve over 3,000 clients each year. Including individuals, partnerships, LLCs, corporations, estates, trusts and non-profit organizations.

How is the accuracy of your work checked?

We review all tax returns for accuracy. We utilize numerous cross-check procedures to keep errors to an absolute minimum. These procedures include:

• A personalized interview with a Licensed Tax Preparer or Licensed Tax Consultant
• Completion of a detailed questionnaire
• Computerized error analysis
• Manual error check by trained staff members
• Manual review of the finished tax return by the Designated Consultant

Click here to watch KATU AM Northwest Video "What Should I Expect to Find in a Good Tax Professional? "

When and how can you be reached during the year and during tax season?

Our offices are open year round.  We employ full-time, year-round staff. Our full-time staff includes Leonard Mitchell CPA, Licensed Tax Consultants Jess Gutierrez, April Gutierrez, SanDee Tharp and Ann Bernton and Certified Quickbooks Pro Expert Heather Hua.

Are you able and willing to represent me at an audit?

CPA's and Enrolled Agents are authorized to represent tax payers before the IRS. CPA's and Licensed Tax Consultants are authorized to represent tax payers before the Oregon Department of Revenue. We have experience representing clients before the IRS and the State of Oregon and are willing to assist our clients with audits or requests for information.

How much will you be charging for your services? How do your fees break down?

Click here to watch KATU AM Northwest Video "Tax Talk With April - How Much Does Using a Tax Service Cost?"

Our pricing structure varies according to the service we are providing.

• Individual Tax return preparation

Our fees are form based. For example if your tax return includes Form 1040, Schedule A, and Oregon Form 40, we would charge a fixed price for each these forms. For 2008 our fee for Form 1040 is $126, Schedule A is $54 and Oregon 40 is $35 for a total preparation fee of $215.  A $25 or $10 discount to the total preparation fee applies if your tax return is prepared during the slower weeks of the tax season. 

Our complete price schedule is posted in all our tax offices. You are welcome to call our offices or come in person to request an estimate of what we will charge to complete your tax return.  To assist us with providing you with an accurate estimate, it is helpful to have a copy of your tax return for tax year 2006 available.  You can also complete our Price Estimate Worksheet which is designed to help us give you an accurate estimate of our fees.

• Business Tax return preparation

Our fees for business tax returns are form based. Our fees for basic Partnerships and S-Corporations begin at $350 with average returns running between $450-$800. Fees can run higher if you need extensive work-up or bookkeeping done before we begin to prepare your return. 

If you would like an estimate of what we would charge to prepare you business tax return click here for a link to our Tax Organizer page. By completing this organizer, we will gain a better understanding of your business and the complexity level of your business tax return.

• Bookkeeping & Payroll

Our in-house bookkeeping and payroll service rate is $50 per hour.  Or we can visit you at your business location for $70 per hour.

• Business & Tax Consulting

Tax consulting services are billed in half-hour increments of $115 per hour. Consulting services with our CPA bill out at $200 per hour.

How long will it take you to complete my work?

We emphasize accuracy but recognize the importance of delivering a finished tax return in a timely manner.  Our turn-around is generally 2-3 days for most returns but complex returns or tax situations can take longer. You can help us achieve faster turn around by bringing all required information to your tax interview. Click here to to view our series of tax organizers which will help you prepare for your tax interview.