If you are looking to paper file your own return the IRS Fillable Forms can be located here.

For AZ the fillable forms can be located here.

MilTax generally offers free tax return preparation and e-filing software  for all military members, and some veterans, with no income limit. This includes federal returns and up to five state returns.

A properly completed Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) can count toward your Required Minimum Distribution.

But specific requirements apply, including how the money is transferred and which organizations qualify.

The important part: Don’t withdraw the money yourself and then write the charity a personal check
if you’re trying to make a QCD.

Call us before moving the money. In taxes, the route the money takes sometimes matters as much as where it ends up.

https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590b or https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-526

The 2026 Dirty Dozen: 12 key scams to watch for

1. IRS impersonation by email and text (phishing + smishing). Scammers send emails, direct messages (DMs), and texts that appear to be from the IRS, often using alarming language and QR codes that direct taxpayers to fake IRS websites to “verify” accounts, enter personal information, or claim refunds. The IRS urges taxpayers not to click links or open attachments from unexpected messages and to report suspicious IRS-related emails, DMs, and texts. The IRS reported over 600 social media impersonators during fiscal year 2025.

As a reminder, never click any unsolicited communication claiming to be from the IRS, as it may install malware surreptitiously. These links may install malicious software, including ransomware, on a taxpayer’s personal device, potentially preventing access to their files or personal information.

1. AI-enabled IRS impersonation by phone (robocalls, voice mimicry, spoofed caller ID). Phone scams continue to evolve, including calls that use computer-generated tactics and spoofed caller ID to appear legitimate. The IRS reminds taxpayers that it generally contacts taxpayers by mail first and does not leave urgent, threatening prerecorded messages, call to demand immediate payment, or threaten arrest. Taxpayers should not rely on AI-generated responses to complex tax questions, and they should verify any calculations or information provided by artificial intelligence.
2. Fake charities. Fraudsters often exploit tragedies and disasters by creating fake charities to collect donations and personal information. The IRS is committed to preventing fraudulent nonprofits from taking advantage of the American taxpayer.

Taxpayers who give money or goods to a charity may be able to claim a deduction on their federal tax return if they itemize deductions, but charitable donations only count if they go to a qualified tax-exempt organization recognized by the IRS.

1. Misleading tax advice on social media. Viral “tax hacks” can push taxpayers to file returns with false information or claim credits they don’t qualify for, leading to refund delays, audits, penalties, or worse. The IRS continues to warn that social media-driven misinformation and disinformation remain a major driver of tax scams.

The IRS and the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats warn taxpayers not to fall for these scams, and urge them to follow trusted advice from the IRS, tax professionals, and other reputable sources. The IRS reminds taxpayers who knowingly file fraudulent tax returns that they could potentially face significant civil and criminal penalties.

1. Identity theft involving IRS Online Account access. Criminals may attempt to use stolen personal information to gain unauthorized access to a taxpayer’s IRS online account or may pose as helpers to collect sensitive information during account setup. Taxpayers should create their account directly through IRS.gov and should not rely on unsolicited third parties offering assistance. The IRS provides official guidance to help taxpayers securely establish and protect their accounts.
2. Abusive undistributed long-term capital gains claims. The IRS identified an increase in the abuse of Form 2439. This form allows shareholders of certain investment funds or real estate trusts to claim a refundable credit for taxes paid on undistributed capital gains. Identified schemes involve overstated or fabricated Form 2439 claims, including claims tied to organizations that are not legitimate investment funds or real estate trusts. The IRS has also seen fake claims falsely linked to real, well-known organizations. Improper claims may result in refund delays, audits, penalties, or enforcement action.
3. Bogus “Self-Employment Tax Credit” promotion. Scammers use misleading claims about a broad “self-employment tax credit” to encourage inaccurate filings and generate improper refunds. The IRS reminds taxpayers to rely on trusted sources and qualified tax professionals, not social media promotions, when determining eligibility for credits.

Many taxpayers do not qualify for these credits, and the IRS is closely reviewing claims coming in under this provision, so taxpayers filing claims do so at their own risk.

1. Ghost preparers. A “ghost” preparer prepares a return but refuses to sign it and/or refuses to include a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). When a preparer refuses to sign or provide a PTIN, that is a major red flag; the taxpayer is legally responsible for what is filed. The IRS urges taxpayers to avoid preparers who will not sign the return and to choose reputable help. Taxpayers should never sign a blank or incomplete return. Instead, the IRS reminds taxpayers to use a trusted tax professional for help.
2. Non-cash charitable contribution schemes. Some schemes involve inflated appraisals of donated property using syndicated conservation easements or art. Promoters often promise to eliminate or substantially reduce tax liability. The IRS warns taxpayers not to file returns with made-up information and reminds taxpayers that it can hold refunds while verifying claims.
3. Overstated withholding schemes (fabricated wage/withholding data). Scammers encourage taxpayers to inflate withholding amounts (sometimes described as “other withholding”) to manufacture a larger refund by reporting zero or little income on incorrect forms. The IRS may delay processing while it verifies wages and withholding against third-party records. Inaccurate claims can lead to penalties and enforcement action.

There are multiple variations of the overstated withholding credit scheme, including those involving Forms W-2 and W-2G; Forms 1099-R, 1099-NEC, 1099-DIV, 1099-OID, and 1099-B, as well as the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, Schedule K-1 with Withholding Reported, and Unspecified Source of Withholding Credit Claimed.

1. Spear-phishing and malware campaigns targeting tax professionals. Tax professionals and businesses remain targets of “new client” or “document request” emails that deliver malicious links or attachments to steal client data or access systems. The IRS and the Security Summit urge preparers to remain vigilant and to strengthen their security practices.

Businesses and individuals, including tax pros, should always be cautious and look out for any suspicious requests or unusual behavior before sharing any sensitive information or responding to an email. Warning signs may include unexpected requests for sensitive information, mismatched or unfamiliar sender addresses, urgent payment demands, or links directing users to websites that do not clearly originate from IRS.gov. Be aware that by gaining access to a hacked email account, scammers can locate a genuine email from a previous victim’s email account sent to their tax professional.

1. Aggressive or misleading Offer in Compromise marketing (“OIC mills”). The Offer in Compromise program can help certain eligible taxpayers resolve tax debt when they are unable to pay in full, but “OIC mills” often overpromise results and charge high fees to taxpayers who don’t qualify. Taxpayers can check eligibility using free IRS tools to avoid high-pressure sales tactics.

How to protect yourself and what to do if you get a suspicious message or call

• Don’t click unexpected links or open unexpected attachments.
• If you get a suspicious IRS-related call, hang up. The IRS provides guidance on what to do next, including how to report scams.
• To report suspected IRS-related phishing emails or messages, send them to phishing@irs.gov and follow IRS reporting instructions.
• If you think your tax identity has been compromised, visit IRS.gov/idtheft for steps to protect your account and recover.

Report abusive tax schemes and suspicious activity

The IRS encourages taxpayers, tax professionals, and the public to report suspected tax fraud, scams, identity theft, or other tax-related wrongdoing by visiting here.

The new online tool allows individuals to confidentially submit information using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. It consolidates IRS fraud-reporting options into one location and routes tips to the appropriate IRS office.

Prompt reporting helps protect taxpayers and quickly stop abusive activity

Our goal is to complete returns accurately and efficiently, but turnaround time depends upon the
time of year, complexity of the return, and – most importantly -whether we have all of the
information we need.

Missing documents stop the process.

So here’s the fastest way to finish your return: Give us everything the first time.

The world’s fastest tax preparer still can’t enter the 1099 sitting on your refrigerator.

For the calendar year of 2026:

Maximum Qualifying Charitable Organization donation is: $506 single, married filing separate or head of household; $1,009 married filing joint

Please Note: Arizona law allows QCO donations made during 2026 or donations made from January 1, 2027 through April 15, 2027 to be claimed on the 2026 Arizona income tax return.  The maximum credit that can be claimed on the 2026 Arizona return for donations made to QCO’s is $506 for single, married filing separate or head of household taxpayers, and $1,009 for married filing joint taxpayers.

Maximum Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organization donations is: $632 single, married filing separate or head of household; $1,262 married filing joint.

Please Note: Arizona law allows QFCO donations made during 2026 or donations made from January 1, 2027 through April 15, 2027 to be claimed on the 2026 Arizona income tax return.  The maximum credit that can be claimed on the 2026 Arizona return for donations made to QFCO’s is $632 for single, married filing separate and head of household taxpayers, and $1,262 for married filing joint taxpayers.

Maximum Public School Tax Credit donation is: $200 for single, head of households and married filing separate; $400 for married filing jointly.

Maximum Private School Tuition Organization donation is: $787 single, married filing separate or head of household; $1,570 married filing joint.

Please Note: Arizona law allows Original Individual Income Tax Credit donations made during 2026 or donations made from January 1, 2027 through April 15, 2027 to be claimed on the 2026 Arizona income tax return.  The maximum credit that can be claimed on the 2026 Arizona return for donations made to School Tuition Organizations for the Original credit is $787 for single, married filing separate and head of household taxpayers, and $1,570 for married filing joint taxpayers.

Maximum Certified School Tuition Organizations (Switcher Individual Income Tax Credit) donation is: $784 single, married filing separate or head of household; $1,561 married filing joint. NOTE: You must have donated the maximum allowed under the Original Private School Tuition Organization before making the additional Switcher donation 

Please Note: Arizona law allows Switcher Individual Income Tax Credit donations made during 2026 or donations made from January 1, 2027 through April 15, 2027 to be claimed on the 2026 Arizona income tax return.  The maximum credit that can be claimed on the 2026 Arizona return for donations made to School Tuition Organizations for the Switcher credit is $784 for single, married filing separate and head of household, and $1,561 for married filing joint taxpayers.

If you haven’t already made an IRS Individual Online Account, you may want to as it gives you quicker access to tax records, make/view payments, view payment plans/balances, submit certain IRS forms like From 4547, Trump Account Election, and much more.

You can check your refund through the IRS Where’s My Refund? service. You’ll generally need your Social Security number, filing status, and exact refund amount.

Please remember that once the IRS has accepted the return, we don’t have a secret tax-preparer screen showing which desk your refund is sitting on.

Believe me, if they gave me that button, I’d use it.

If you have a Federal Refund that is being direct deposited and the return was efiled, your Refund can take up to 21 business days, according to the IRS, if no further verification is required after the return is accepted. The IRS accepts the return, which varies 1-3 days after it was efiled. However, the IRS will not issue refunds for claims of the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit before review. Returns that claim those credits are reviewed by the IRS individually and won’t release refunds until March, regardless of whether the return was filed in early February.

If you filed on paper, it can take 16+ weeks once the IRS has it in their system.  To check the status of your refund, please go to your refund status at https://sa.www4.irs.gov/wmr/

If you know that you won’t be able to pay your taxes owed, you can let us know that you want us to transmit with your tax return an Installment Agreement; which, is the IRS long-term payment plan, if your return has not already been transmitted. If your return was already transmitted and life happened and you realized you can’t not pay your taxes then submit for a payment plan via applying at the IRS Online payment Agreement application

Call us.

This page answers the questions we hear most often, but taxes have an amazing ability to create a
question we’ve never heard quite the same way twice.

After more than 40 years in the tax business, I’ve learned two things: 1. There is almost always an
answer. 2. The answer usually begins with, “It depends.”

That’s why we’re here.

Probably not. Tax returns can be corrected. If something was omitted or reported incorrectly, please tell us.

Depending on the circumstances, we may recommend filing an amended return.

The worst approach is usually to discover a mistake and hope nobody notices.

Lenny’s Rule: Tax problems generally age more like milk than wine.

Yes. Buying, selling, exchanging, or otherwise disposing of cryptocurrency or other digital assets can
have tax consequences.

Please provide your transaction records, even if you didn’t receive a tax form.

And no, calling Bitcoin “that internet money thing” does not make it invisible to the IRS.

Because preparing a tax return isn’t just entering numbers from forms.

A marriage, divorce, new baby, college student, inheritance, property sale, retirement, business
change, or even something that happened late in December, can completely change the tax result.

So when I ask, “Anything else happen this year?”, I’m not making conversation.

I’m looking for your money. Well … your tax savings. Let’s phrase it that way.

For documents containing Social Security numbers, bank information, and other sensitive
information, please use our secure client portal. 

Ordinary email is convenient. Your Social Security number deserves something better than
convenient.

If you do not have a portal, please call us and provide us with a valid email in order to set up the portal access for you.

Every return is different, so we can’t quote every tax return based simply upon the number of forms
involved.

Complexity, business activities, rental properties, investments, and the amount of additional work
required can affect the fee.

We’ll be happy to discuss fees with you.

One thing we’ve learned after all these years: the shoebox isn’t technically a tax form -but
sometimes it takes longer to prepare than one.

Each person’s tax return is unique to their circumstances. Our fees are based on the form required to file the tax return completely and thoroughly, not a flat rate. The most common statements heard are ‘Well, my neighbor has the same stuff I do, and they only pay XXX; why is your price XXX?” or “My return is super simple; it should only cost XXX,” and the advice in this matter is then: please go to that particular preparer, or if your return is super simple, there are plenty of ways to file your return for free or for low cost by doing it yourself, or if you meet the qualifications for VITA services.

Below are the prices averaged out over all of the applicable returns that were completed for the 2025 Tax Year. These average prices are reviewed and updated after every completed season.

2025 TY Average Prices *Note the prices will fluctuate +/-. These are provided as guidance.* 

1040: $323.23

1041: $502.64

1065: $837.72

1120S: $887.33

1120: $1,136.40

Please be sure that you separate your mileage records between the first and second half of 2026.

January 1, 2026- June 30, 2026

• Business: 72.5c per mile
• Medical: 21c per mile

July 1, 2026- December 31, 2026

• Business: 76c per mile
• Medical: 23.5c per mile

Charitable mileage remains unchanged at 14c per mile for 2026.1

Because tax returns have memories.

Prior-year returns can contain depreciation, capital-loss carryovers, passive losses, credit carryovers,
basis information, and other items that affect this year’s return.

Please provide the complete return, not just the first two pages.

Tax returns are a little like mystery novels. Starting on Chapter 12 makes figuring out the story
considerably harder.

Under 65 Years Old: 

• Single – $16,100
• MFJ – $32,200
• MFS – $16,100
• HOH – $24,150

Over 65 Years Old:

• Single – $18,150
• MFJ – $33,850
• MFS – $17,750
• HOH – $26,200

The maximum contribution limit is $7,500. If you are 50 or older, you can contribute an additional $1,100 for a total of $8,600.

The proposed regulations provide that the election to open an initial Trump Account must be made by an authorized individual on Form 4547, Trump Account Election(s) or through the online Form 4547: Trump Account Election Form – IRS Form 4547 in accordance with applicable instructions. An election to open an initial Trump Account must be made on or before December 31 of the calendar year in which the eligible individual attains age 17.

The election form also provides an opportunity for the authorized individual to request the $1,000 pilot program contribution from the Secretary for an eligible child (under section 6434 of the Internal Revenue Code).

The instructions to Form 4547 are currently available on IRS.gov. The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have sought to make the election process as simple and frictionless as possible by permitting individuals to file a one-page Form 4547 at the time of filing their tax return or in a separate online portal: Trump Account Election Form – IRS Form 4547.

If an election for the $1,000 pilot program contribution is being made at the same time as the election to open the initial Trump Account, the authorized individual is the individual able to make the election for a pilot program contribution.

If no election for a pilot program contribution is being made at the same time as the election to open an initial Trump Account, a different rule applies for determining who is an authorized individual. Under the proposed ordering rule for who may make the election, the authorized individual would be, in order of priority:

• a legal guardian,
• parent,
• adult sibling, then
• grandparent of the eligible individual.

 Responsible party for the Trump Account:

In general, the individual who makes the election to open an initial Trump Account for an eligible individual will be the responsible party of the initial Trump Account. The responsible party generally will have the authority, while the account beneficiary does not have legal capacity, to select among eligible investments (if more than one eligible investment is offered), request a qualified rollover contribution to a rollover Trump Account, request a transfer for a qualified ABLE rollover contribution (subject to certain rules), or select a successor responsible party for the account.

VITA: (Volunteer Income tax Assistance) The VITA Program offers free tax help to people who generally make $69,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers Click here for further information.

Contributions by Parents: Contributions can be done through the official Trump Accounts App or the web portal Trumpaccount.gov

If you are extended family contributions; you will need to coordinate with the child’s parent, as they control the account and will provide you with the account details or send a link to you as an invite to contribute to the child’s account.

Remember the Total Combined Annual Limit that can be contributed by all sources is capped at $5,000 per child per year.

No. But don’t put it in a drawer and hope it gets lonely and goes away.

Send us all pages of the notice as soon as possible. IRS and Arizona notices often have deadlines, and sometimes the problem is simply missing information, a payment posted incorrectly, or a computer deciding it knows more than we do.

Please don’t pay the requested amount until we’ve reviewed the notice.

Lenny’s Rule: Open the envelope. Then call us in that order.

First, don’t panic. Second, don’t throw it away and pretend it arrived next year.

Send it to us. We’ll determine whether your return needs to be amended. Not every forgotten document requires an amended return, but we still need to review it.

And please don’t file another original tax return. Two returns for the same year don’t make the first one disappear. They generally create more work for everyone.

Absolutely. Filing the return and paying the tax are two separate issues. File the return on time and pay as much as you reasonably can.

The IRS and Arizona have payment options. Ignoring the return because you can’t pay generally turns one problem into two problems – and the second problem comes with penalties.

Lenny’s Rule: We can work with a tax bill. It’s much harder to work with a tax return hiding under your bed.

Bring all of your tax documents – W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, K-1s, brokerage statements, retirement
statements, and information about deductions, dependents, and estimated payments.

Also tell us about major events that may not have generated a tax form: marriage, divorce,
inheritance, sale of property, a new business, cryptocurrency transactions, or other significant
financial changes.

Lenny’s Rule: If you’re wondering whether I need it, bring it.

I’d rather hand something back to you than discover in July that the missing piece was sitting on your
kitchen counter.

No – and this one gets taxpayers every year.

An extension gives you additional time to file your return. It doesn’t normally give you extra time to pay the tax.

If you expect to owe, we can estimate what should be paid with the extension.

Think of it this way: the IRS will give you more time to finish the paperwork. They aren’t quite as generous about waiting for the money.

A smaller refund doesn’t necessarily mean your taxes went up.

Your refund is basically the difference between your tax liability and the amount you paid in through
withholding, estimated payments, and refundable credits.

Changes in income, withholding, dependents, credits, investments, or retirement distributions can all
affect the result.

A big refund isn’t necessarily a tax victory. Sometimes it just means you loaned the
government more money during the year.

Maybe. Required Minimum Distribution rules depend upon your birth year and the type of
retirement account involved.

Don’t simply withdraw an amount because your neighbor, brother-in-law, or golf partner told you
what his RMD was.

Give us your year-end retirement account information, and we’ll help determine what applies to you.

Tax advice from the 19th hole is occasionally worth exactly what you paid for it.

No! This is a very common misunderstanding.

Depending on your other income, up to 85% of your Social Security benefits can be included in taxable income. That does not mean the government takes 85% of your Social Security.

The taxable portion is included with your other taxable income and taxed at your applicable income-tax rates.

You may now resume breathing.

Unfortunately, retirement from work doesn’t necessarily mean retirement from taxes.

Social Security, pensions, IRA distributions, investment income, capital gains, and other income can
all affect your tax return.

Some income may be fully taxable, some partially taxable, and some not taxable at all.

We’ll sort it out. You’ve earned the retirement. We’ll handle the arithmetic.

Generally, yes. A genuine gift isn’t income to the recipient.

Large gifts can require the person making the gift to file a gift-tax return, but filing a gift-tax return doesn’t necessarily mean gift tax is due.

Before making a substantial gift, call us.

Giving your children money is easy. Getting it back apparently requires a different section of
the Internal Revenue Code.

Generally, receiving inherited property isn’t itself federal taxable income. But the property can have important tax consequences when you sell it later.

Inherited property frequently receives a new tax basis based on its value at the appropriate valuation date.

Before you sell inherited property, talk to us. Finding the basis before the sale is much easier than trying to reconstruct it afterward.

Maybe, but don’t write the IRS a check just yet.

Qualifying homeowners may exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or potentially $500,000 for a qualifying married couple filing jointly, on the sale of their principal residence.

We need your original purchase information, closing documents, and records of major improvements.

That new roof may have been painful when you paid for it. This could be the moment it finally says thank you.

Under the qualifying-child rules, a full-time student can potentially remain a dependent through age 23, provided the other dependency requirements are met.

Education credits and other tax considerations may also apply.

So don’t decide that Junior is suddenly financially independent just because he’s 21 and knows how to order DoorDash.

Maybe. A W-2 doesn’t automatically mean your child is excluded from your tax return.

Whether your child qualifies as your dependent depends upon age, student status, where they lived, who provided their support, and other factors.

Bring us the information, and we’ll figure it out. And if your child has a filing requirement, remember: their W-2 goes on their tax return – not yours.

For most ordinary tax records, at least three years is a reasonable starting point. Some records need to be kept much longer.

Keep records relating to real estate, rental property, investments, major improvements, and other assets for as long as you own them, plus the appropriate period after they’re sold.

We also recommend keeping copies of your actual tax returns permanently.

Storage is cheap. Reconstructing what you paid for a rental property in 1998 is not.