In an effort to protect both the public and our staff during the current COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to close our offices to the general public until further notice, effective 3/20/20. We will still be performing your bookkeeping, payroll, and tax preparation services while our offices are closed. Voice mails and emails will also be checked daily during this time.
Document Exchange:
We understand that during the shut-down, there will be the need for clients to exchange documents for processing. We ask that you either send this information to us via:
- US mail to 40 Winter Street, Suite #308, Rochester, NH 03867
- Email to [email protected]
- Drop Box to [email protected]
- Google Drive to [email protected]
- Physical drop off at our office by sliding them under our door (address above under US mail).
- Currently, the building will be open M-F 7 AM to 5 PM and Saturdays 7 AM to 12 PM. The building is closed on Sundays.
- When physically dropping off documents, please send an email to [email protected] to let us know that documents are waiting for pick-up.
Document Review:
It is our intent to continue to provide you the opportunity to review your bookkeeping reports and tax returns. Once processing is complete, you will receive an email asking what method of review you would prefer. We know that our clients have varying levels of technological resources and experience, so we are offering the following methods for the review process:
- US mail to the address you specify for receipt
- When requesting documents by US Mail, please indicate if you will review the documents yourself or if you would like to review by phone with the preparer.
- If you choose to review by phone, open time slots will be provided in the email sent confirming that the information has been mailed to you. Please respond as soon as possible to secure your desired time slot.
- Password protected signature documents and the preparation fee will also be included in the confirmation email for return to our office.
- Passwords to open the signature documents – first letter in first name capitalized, last name all lower case, and the first four numbers of your social security number, e.g. John and Mary Doe (Jdoe1234) This will apply to the first person, or the Taxpayer, listed on the tax return.
- Filing of returns will be completed, once signature documents and payment is received. If filing a joint return, please be sure that both the taxpayer and the spouse signatures are on the required documents, and that you send the original signed documents to our office via US mail or drop them off at the office by sliding them under our door. (Mutual Non-Disclosure form will only require the signature of the taxpayer, or the first person listed on the return. Be sure to date all documents.
- Email using password protected documents.
- When requesting documents by email, please use the email address that you want the documents sent to.
- In the email, also indicate if you will review the documents yourself or if you would like to review by phone with the preparer.
- If you choose to review by phone, open time slots will be provided in the email containing your password protected documents. Please respond as soon as possible to secure your desired time slot.
- Passwords to open the documents – first letter in first name capitalized, last name all lower case, and the first four numbers of your social security number, e.g. John and Mary Doe (Jdoe1234) This will apply to the first person, or the Taxpayer, listed on the tax return.
- Your copy of the complete return will be in one PDF. Signature documents and the invoice will be included in a separate PDF for return to our office. Both PDFs will require the same password to open.
- Filing of returns will be completed, once signature documents and payment is received. If filing a joint return, please be sure that both the taxpayer and the spouse signatures are on the required documents, and that you send the original signed documents to our office via US mail or drop them at the office by sliding under our door. (Mutual Non-Disclosure form will only require the signature of the taxpayer, or first listed on the return. Be sure to date all documents.
Possible Updates to Processes:
As you can imagine, the time to establish processes in the event that the country is ordered to shelter in place was extremely short. We are working to streamline our processes with some of the technology currently available and will work as quickly as we can to find alternate solutions to complete our processes for those clients that are comfortable with the technology. We hope that these efforts will also help us to remotely complete and streamline the tax return process in the future as part of our normal processing options.
- We are currently experimenting with Video Conferencing tools such as Zoom, where we will be able to teleconference with you to review the documents on screen, thus eliminating the need to mail or email your completed returns for review purposes.
- We are looking into E-Sign options, thus eliminating the need for you to have signature documents mailed or emailed, and also eliminating the need for you to mail the documents back. This will help speed the processing and filing of your returns.
- We are also looking at a secure portal for the upload of exchange documents and finalized returns for your review and signing.
We will continue to update you via email about the teleconferencing, E-Sign and secure portal options as we add these products to our services.
Current Updates on Filing and Payment Due Dates:
- Per the IRS site: Individuals: Income tax payment deadlines for individual returns, with a due date of April 15, 2020, are being automatically extended until July 15, 2020, for up to $1 million of their 2019 tax due. This payment relief applies to all individual returns, including self-employed individuals, and all entities other than C-Corporations, such as trusts or estates. IRS will automatically provide this relief to taxpayers. Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify for this relief.
- Just in today – As a result of the stress the coronavirus, or COVID-19, is putting on the economic system and society at large, the federal government is giving Americans an extra 90 days to file taxes. The filing deadline has been extended to July 15.
- If you feel you cannot get your return filed by July 15, 2020, you still have the option for an automatic 6 month extension. If you file an extension by April 15, 2020, your filing deadline will be automatically extended to October 15, 2020.
If you would like to file a six month extension please email [email protected] and put your last name and EXTENSION in the subject line. An email confirmation will be sent when the extension is filed, usually approximately one week before the April 15th deadline.
In closing, take a deep breath. We will all get through this together. Thank you for your understanding during these trying times. We wish you and your families continued health and success. Please feel free to give a call about any questions or concerns you might have.
