Essential 1040
$225 starting
For a straightforward individual federal return.
Includes 1 W-2 · +$25 per additional W-2
- Standard deduction
- Federal e-file
- Final return review
2027 filing season planning
File with clarity. Keep what’s yours.
Straightforward tax preparation for W-2 households, independent contractors, creators, gig workers and small-business owners—with upfront starting prices and a process you can understand.
Clear starting prices
Digital-first preparation
No refund promises
Pricing that grows with the return.
Launch pricing is intentionally competitive while still accounting for the review, due diligence and documentation each return requires. Federal e-filing is included in every preparation package.
Itemized
$295 starting
For taxpayers whose eligible deductions go beyond the standard deduction.
Includes 1 W-2 · +$25 per additional W-2
- Schedule A review
- Deduction record review
- Federal e-file
Freelancer / 1099
$349 starting
For creators, contractors and independent earners with one business activity.
Includes up to 2 × 1099s (NEC, MISC, K, INT or DIV) · +$25 per additional 1099
- Schedule C
- Income and expense review
- Self-employment tax
- Estimated-tax guidance
Small Business
$449 starting
For a more detailed sole-proprietor return with added schedules.
Includes 1 Schedule C + up to 3 business 1099s · +$25 per additional 1099 · +$75 per additional Schedule C (second business)
- Asset/depreciation review
- Home-office review
- Quarterly estimate setup
What “starting” means: Your exact fee is confirmed after document review and before preparation begins.
Pricing benchmarked October 7, 2026 against published professional averages.
Worked a bunch of gigs this year? Every W-2 and 1099 beyond what's included is just +$25 per form — you'll see your full price before we start, no surprises.
Additional W-2 or 1099+ $25 each
Additional Schedule C (second business)+ $75
Rental property (Schedule E), each+ $125
Amended federal returnfrom $175
Out-of-state returnfrom $75
Partnership, S-corp or C-corp returncustom quote
What kind of return do you have?
Use this quick fit finder for a starting estimate. It does not ask for your name, SSN, income amount or tax documents.
1
Choose what applies
Select your income type and any situations that add work to the return.
2
See your starting range
The estimate is based on the published price scale, not the size of your refund.
3
Choose your package
Continue to Stripe in a new tab to pay the base package price. Any form add-ons are invoiced before preparation begins.
Tax changes worth knowing.
A practical snapshot for the 2026 tax year—the return most people will file in 2027. Eligibility depends on the details; these highlights are not a refund estimate or individual tax advice.
2026 tax year • filed in 2027Information reviewed October 7, 2026
$15,750
Single standard deduction
For tax year 2026. Married filing jointly is $31,500; head of household is $23,625.
Up to $25K
Qualified tips deduction
Available to eligible workers and self-employed people in qualifying tipped occupations, subject to income and documentation rules.
Up to $12.5K
Qualified overtime deduction
$25,000 for joint filers. Only the qualifying overtime premium is included, and phaseouts apply.
Up to $10K
Car-loan interest deduction
For eligible personal-use passenger vehicles and qualifying loans originated after December 31, 2024.
$6,000
Senior deduction
An additional deduction may be available to each eligible taxpayer age 65 or older, with income limits and filing rules.
$2,000
1099 reporting threshold
For certain payments made after December 31, 2025. All taxable income still must be reported, even when no form arrives.
Primary sources: IRS 2026 inflation adjustments, IRS working-family deductions, IRS 1099 reporting guidance and IRS Publication 501.
Build better tax habits before filing day.
Focused digital guides are planned for independent earners and families who want clear, usable guidance without the jargon.
The 1099 Income & Expense Organizer
A practical workbook for contractors, creators and gig workers to sort income, mileage and business expenses before an appointment.
Get release noticeSmall-Business Deduction Checklist
A category-by-category record guide for Schedule C filers, including questions to bring to your tax preparer.
Get release noticeDependent Documentation Guide
A plain-language organizer for residency, relationship, support and childcare records used in common dependent claims.
Get release noticeYour free first-pass document list
Copy this starter list before gathering your paperwork. Your exact checklist will depend on your return.
- Government-issued photo ID
- Social Security cards or ITIN letters
- All W-2 and 1099 forms
- Prior-year federal return
- Bank routing and account details
- Dependent residency/support records
- Childcare provider tax information
- Business income and expense totals
- Mileage or vehicle-use records
- Estimated-tax payment records
Questions before you book.
Clear expectations protect both the taxpayer and the preparer.
What is a PTIN—and should it be posted publicly?
A PTIN is an IRS-issued Preparer Tax Identification Number used by paid federal tax return preparers. Clients do not need to send or publish a preparer’s PTIN number; a paid preparer signs the completed return and includes the PTIN where required.
Does the starting price depend on my refund?
No. Preparation fees are based on the forms, schedules, records and review your return requires—not on a percentage of your refund.
Can you guarantee a refund amount?
No ethical preparer can promise a refund before reviewing accurate documents and applying the law to your situation. The goal is an accurate return that claims the credits and deductions you legally qualify for.
Should I email my Social Security card or tax documents?
Not in a regular email. Use the secure document-sharing method provided after your appointment request is reviewed.
Do you prepare partnership or corporate returns?
Those returns require a scope review before a quote is issued. Use the appointment request and select the detailed-business option, then describe only the entity type in your email—never include EINs or private tax data.
Start with the right return—not a one-size-fits-all quote.
Use the fit finder to see your starting estimate, choose the matching package and continue to secure payment without sharing sensitive tax information here.