Please pardon our frequent updates but we want to be sure this tax season goes as smoothly and safely as possible for you. We have implemented our temporary office processes and procedures to comply with public health directives and social distancing requirements. Although we believe you will be better served sending us your annual tax documents electronically, we want you to know that you may still drop-off your tax documents and pick-up your final returns and original documents when necessary. Following is how the process will work to keep you safe, keep your tax-time process as convenient as possible and to ease your concerns about tax filings.
To drop-off documents:
If you are unable to provide us with your tax documents electronically, please call us ahead of when you will be dropping off your documents to schedule a time. Drop-offs should only be made in our Salinas area office where we have special document handling procedures in place. This will allow us to maintain social distancing and still receive your important tax documents. When dropping off documents we will get your returns or work processing right away and will go over any questions or concerns with you later via telephone.
We are offering free document pick-up:
If you are unable to deliver your documents to us or, if you are unable to leave your home due to the shelter in place order, we will work with you to have one of our team members come to you to pick-up your documents. If you would like to take advantage of this service, please call us at 831-758-5966 and we will be happy to make the appropriate arrangements.
Receiving your completed tax return and original source documents:
We will deliver your completed tax return to you via secure email/client portal and accept your signed documents with legal esignatures as allowed by the IRS. We will then send your original source documents to you via either USPS Priority Mail or UPS.
If you must have printed copies of your returns, we will provide those to you with the return of your original source documents. Just let us know you need printed copies in addition to your electronic copies.
Tax season appointments:
We will still schedule tax time interviews as usual, but we will go over your information and address any questions or concerns via telephone rather than in person. Give us a call at 831-758-5966 to schedule a time convenient for you.
No, the IRS has not - as of right now - changed the due date for your tax return:
Contrary to what some websites are publishing, the Treasury Department and IRS have not extended any due dates for tax returns, either business or personal. If there is a change, it is not effective until the IRS actually issues an official revenue ruling, procedure or administrative relief procedure or Congress passes specific legislation extending the dates.
And no, it is not technically “official” that you can pay your federal taxes late:
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced some changes to the tax filing season. During a White House briefing, Mnuchin explained that the IRS would allow taxpayers to defer some payments without penalty or interest. But the IRS has not announced official guidance on the penalty and interest provisions. Hopefully, we’ll have some clarity on those soon. Remember, the Treasury Secretary on his own does not make the law with just comments in a speech. We believe that, until official notice is released, it is best to proceed with caution if you plan to pay your taxes late.
Please call us at (831) 758-5966 with any questions or concerns you may have. We will post updated tax, financial and business operations information regarding the current health crisis to help keep you informed.