By Samantha Halburn
Contributed
April 15 each year signifies the ever so dreaded “Tax Day” for those who may owe anyway. This year, due to the onslaught of COVID-19, our government has made many new changes to our “normal,” including the postponement of Tax Day to July 15, 2020.
But what does that mean for you? What does it mean at all?
In this article, we will help you understand how you can still work on your finances during this time of “our new normal.” PBS Accounting and Tax Services, based in Idyllwild, specializes in helping its customers remotely and has successfully retained customers throughout the western United States.
We would like to bring some clarity to what it means to be able to remotely file your taxes and get help running your business. We wish to help serve the community and help as much as possible during these uncertain times, and beyond.
Currently, we are not taking any in-person appointments in order to follow the social distancing guidelines. That means we can use technologies like Zoom to conduct appointments virtually. You’re able to see us face-to-face and ask any questions you may have, same as if you were sitting directly across from us. If you’re not comfortable with using your computer in that way or if you do not have access, we can simply talk over the phone and ask you the questions we may have. We will need to have you complete certain forms and/or obtain tax related documents from you.
In that case, we use a virtual vault that is IRS compliant for the secure transmission of your documents. We will email you a link to upload your documents, and if you do not have an email or computer available, you can send us your documents via U.S. mail.
Our mailing address is P.O. Box 3192 in Idyllwild and we commit to sending you your original documents back with a copy of your completed return. There are no restrictions that keep us from being able to file your tax return due to our current global pandemic.
We are here for you through it and want to help you get your refund. For those who are due a refund, we also offer a service that allows you to use your refund to pay for your tax return preparation. Meaning, there is no money out of your pocket. That is especially helpful during these times when so many are out of work and may not otherwise be able to afford to file for the refund they so desperately need.
We file current tax returns via e-file, which means no need to stand in line at the post office. If you are filing prior year returns or your return requires you to mail it, we will do that for you as well. We strive to keep our customers as safe as possible.
Because we are able to e-file, we are also able to offer electronic signatures which again means no need to meet face-to-face to file your taxes.
The federal government has extended the deadline to file to July 15 this year, which means that if you’re not ready to file your tax return now you do NOT need to file an extension and, respectively, if you may owe, you have until July 15 to pay your balance with no interest or penalties.
If you think you may owe, we suggest filing your tax return as soon as possible in order to give yourself the maximum time to come up with the amount owed at no additional costs to you. You’re able to make payment arrangements on what you owe after the deadline. However, you will accrue interest on any unpaid balances. If you feel that you may still need more time to file your taxes this year we will file an extension for you for $40, which will go toward your tax return preparation fee when you do file.
If you require assistance with your small business finances in order to file your 2019 (or years prior) tax return we can assist you with that as well.
We are certified experts in Quickbooks and offer a full array of business services including training for you and/or your staff, bookkeeping, past, present and future, Quickbooks Audits, accounts payable and receivable, payroll and business consultations.
As with your tax documents, all the documents for your small business accounting can be uploaded securely and we can meet virtually to go over your needs. To schedule your free consultation, please contact our office at 866-472-7669, extension 2. To schedule your virtual tax appointment or for any tax related help, please call us at 866-472-7669, extension 3 or email [email protected].
We want to extend a very grateful thank you to everyone who has supported us and our business over the last four years and we only wish success and prosperity to our community, always. We are your partners and we are here for you to help you with your financial needs.
In an effort to keep our community aware of what is available to help individuals and small businesses, we will begin hosting a series of web meetings to cover topics like stimulus packages, IRS regulations and updates, tax questions, accounting-related questions and more. If you would like to be invited to these online meetings please email us at [email protected] to get the link to join.
Our first meeting will take place this Friday (April 3) at 1 p.m. and will cover the topic: Small Business Disaster Relief Options. If you are unable to attend the live meeting you can watch the replay at your convenience. If there are specific topics you would like covered, please email us and we are happy to cover them for you.
We will continue to educate ourselves on your behalf to bring you the latest updates, and as always, we commit to staying on top of the latest technologies and ways of doing business the most efficient way possible. We look forward to helping our community pull through this uncertain time with ease and compassion. We all can use someone in our corner — and we’re here for you.