Do I even need to file a return this year?
Depends on your income, filing status, and age — the IRS sets a different threshold for each combination, and it changes almost every year. If your income dropped, you retired, or someone can claim you as a dependent, it's worth double-checking rather than assuming. And even when you're not required to file, it can still be worth it — if you had tax withheld or qualify for a refundable credit, you're leaving money on the table by skipping it.
I got a letter from the IRS. Am I being audited?
Not necessarily, and most of the time, no. The IRS sends far more routine notices than actual audits — a mismatched 1099, a math correction, a request for missing documentation. An audit notice says so explicitly and usually names the specific items or years being examined. Either way, the move is the same: don't ignore it, and don't guess at how to respond. Bring it in and we'll tell you exactly what it means.
I don't have a Social Security number. Can you still help me?
Yes. You can file using an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) instead — it exists specifically for people who have a tax filing obligation but don't qualify for a Social Security number. It doesn't authorize you to work or affect immigration status; it's strictly a tax processing number. If you don't have one yet, we can help you apply for it alongside your return.
How long does it take to get my refund?
For an e-filed return with direct deposit, the IRS typically issues most refunds within 21 days. Paper returns take longer — sometimes months. If your return includes the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, the IRS holds those refunds until at least mid-February by law, regardless of when you filed.
I can't pay what I owe. What happens now?
File anyway, even if you can't pay in full — the penalty for not filing is steeper than the penalty for not paying. From there, the IRS offers real options: monthly installment agreements, and in some cases an Offer in Compromise that settles the debt for less than the full amount. Which one makes sense depends on your specific numbers, so this is exactly the kind of thing worth sitting down with us about rather than guessing.
Someone may have filed a return using my Social Security number. What do I do?
That's tax-related identity theft, and it's more common than people think — usually you find out when you try to e-file and it gets rejected because a return already exists under your number. Bring it to us right away. You'll likely need to file Form 14039 (the IRS's identity theft affidavit) and paper-file your real return while it gets sorted out. It's a slower process than a normal filing, but it's very fixable.
What's an Enrolled Agent, and why does it matter?
An Enrolled Agent (EA) is licensed directly by the IRS — not a state, the IRS itself — specifically to represent taxpayers on audits, appeals, and collections. Alfonso Rosas has held this credential since 2002. Practically, it means he can sit across from the IRS on your behalf and speak for you, not just prepare paperwork and hope for the best.
Can I deduct my home office, phone, or car?
Sometimes, and it depends on how you actually use them. A home office generally has to be used regularly and exclusively for business — a corner of the living room that doubles as a play area usually doesn't qualify. A phone or vehicle used for both personal and business purposes is split proportionally: only the business portion counts. The standard deduction is also high enough now that itemizing individual expenses doesn't always help unless they add up past that threshold. Worth a real conversation instead of guessing.
My old preparer made a mistake on a past return. Can you fix it?
Usually, yes — through an amended return (Form 1040-X for individuals). We'll need a copy of the original return to see exactly what happened before we can tell you what fixing it looks like, and whether it results in more refund, less tax owed, or just a correction with no dollar change.
Do you offer services in Spanish?
Yes, fully — not a translated form handed to you at the end, but real conversation in Spanish from your first call through your finished return.
Do I need an appointment, or can I just walk in?
An appointment is better — it means someone's actually free to sit with you instead of asking you to wait around. Call, use the contact form, or stop by during business hours if it's urgent.