Experience & Expertise

What makes your firm different from others?

We pride ourselves on our personalized, proactive approach to taxes and the client experience. We also offer virtual services, and a streamlined process, which enables our client’s journey to be convenient and efficient no matter where they are in their tax landscape.

What type of clients do you typically work with?

Our clientele spans various industries and situations. We have experience working with individuals, families, small businesses, corporations, and more, ensuring a depth of understanding across diverse sectors.

How long have you been in practice?

Luke Weissgarber, the founder and principal tax accountant, has been a CPA since 2012 and has experience working at some of the largest CPA firms in the country before starting his own tax firm in 2018. Today, Weissgarber CPA has helped countless individuals and businesses achieve their tax goals and stay compliant with the ever-changing tax landscape.

What specific services do you offer?

We offer a full spectrum of tax services, including tax preparation, consulting, planning, and strategy sessions. Our expertise spans across various industries to cater to diverse client needs.

What professional affiliations or certifications do you hold?

Luke holds a Master’s in Professional Accounting (MPA) from The University of Texas, Austin, and an active Certified Public Account (CPA) license in both Washington and Texas. He has over 14 years of continual professional accounting experience working at a few of the largest accounting firms in the country, including KPMG and PWC.

Client Approach

How do you typically communicate with your clients?

We value transparent and timely communication and typically get back to clients within one to two business days. Whether through emails, calls, or virtual meetings, we ensure you're informed and involved throughout the process.

Can you provide references or client testimonials?

We're proud of the relationships we've built and the success stories we've contributed to. Testimonials from our satisfied clients highlight our commitment to excellence and can be found on Google, Yelp, and Facebook.

What does the client process look like?

Tax Return Preparation:

Clients begin the Tax Return Preparation process by activating their customized client portal account and electronically signing the Engagement Letter for that tax year. Next, the client will need to pay a $100 set-up fee, which is credited toward their first invoice. Once the invoice is paid, the client will then receive a digital Tax Organizer and Checklist via the portal to be completed for their taxes. The Tax Organizer details exactly what information is required for your taxes and is tailored to your unique circumstances. Once the Tax Organizer and Checklist have been completed, we will add your tax return to our queue, and will begin preparing it within two to four weeks. After the return is finalized, we will send you an invoice for our services through the portal. After the invoice is paid, you will then gain access to a draft of your completed tax return. You can then review the return and ask any questions before signing the authorization form to submit the return for e-filing. All completed tax returns are saved in the client’s portal along with their tax documents for each year.

Tax Planning and Consulting:

Luke Weissgarber, CPA, is available on an as-needed basis for tax planning and consulting services. If a client is interested in these services, they can schedule a time with Luke by using the calendar link provided in Luke’s email signature. Common scenarios for tax planning or consulting could include new business information and set-up, tax projections and estimates, retirement contributions, analysis of tax filing status, entity selection such as S-corporation election, and many other topics. We encourage our client to upload a list of their questions and relevant documents at least 24 hours before the scheduled call. All clients must sign up for Tax Return Preparation services in order to receive Tax Planning and Consulting.

Fees and Billing

How do you charge for your services? Hourly rates, fixed fees, retainer-based?

Our fees for Tax Return Preparation are based on the number of Tax Forms and 1099s to be reported for that tax year. Depending on the complexity, each tax form or 1099 is currently priced between $40 and $290. On average, the majority of our clients will pay between $1,000 to $2,500 for comprehensive Tax Return Preparation. For an estimate of your Tax Return Preparation, we ask that you provide us with a copy of your last year’s tax return, and we will provide an estimate based on that return.

Our fee for Tax Planning and Consulting is $400 per hour and is billed in 15-minute increments. We require a minimum of 30 minutes when scheduling a consulting call. We may also recommend clients sign up for consulting if their emailed questions are complex or require additional discussions.

Are there additional fees for questions asked via email, portal messages, or phone calls

We will respond to all questions within 24-48 hours during regular business hours free of charge. For any questions that require more than 5 to 10 minutes to respond to, we may suggest scheduling a billable consulting call to review.

Timeliness and Deadlines

What is your typical response time for client inquiries?

Our typical response time for client inquiries is within 24 to 48 hours during regular business hours.

How do you handle urgent or time-sensitive matters?

Urgent or time-sensitive matters are prioritized and addressed promptly. Clients can reach out via phone or email, and urgent matters are escalated accordingly within our team.

What is your turn-around time for tax preparation?

We typically provide finalized tax documents to clients 2-3 weeks from the time we have received all requested documents and records.

What deadlines do you have that will guarantee my taxes are done by the due date?

Individual, estate, and trust taxes (Form 1040 &1041):

To ensure your individual, estate, and trust taxes are completed on time for the April 15th deadline, we have internal deadlines and processes in place. We request all necessary documentation from clients be uploaded to our portal by no later than March 5th to ensure timely completion and filing of tax returns by the April 15th deadline. Clients who upload their documents after March 5th and would like their taxes filed by the April 15th deadline must pay a $500 expediting fee and provide a minimum of two weeks to prepare their tax return.

Business taxes (Form 1065, 1120S):

To ensure your business taxes are completed on time for the March 15th deadline, we have internal deadlines and processes in place. We request all necessary documentation from clients be uploaded to our portal by no later than February 15th to ensure timely completion and filing of tax returns by the March 15th deadline. Clients who upload their documents after February 15th and would like their taxes filed by the March 15th deadline must pay a $500 expediting fee and provide a minimum of two weeks to prepare their tax return.

What happens if I want an extension?
Our firm will automatically e-file an extension for your tax return if (1) the Engagement Letter for the related tax return has been e-signed in the client portal by all responsible parties, and (2) the tax return has not been submitted for e-filing within two weeks of the tax return due date. We will provide a confirmation message via the client portal after the extension has been successfully submitted for e-filing.

Tax and Compliance

How do you stay updated on tax laws and compliance changes?

We prioritize staying abreast of ever-evolving tax laws and regulatory changes through ongoing education, seminars, and conferences throughout Washington and Texas. Additionally, our team regularly attends professional development courses and utilizes cutting-edge resources to ensure we offer up-to-date guidance.

Can you assist with tax planning to minimize liabilities and maximize savings?
Yes, our firm specializes in tax planning to minimize liabilities and maximize savings. We employ strategic approaches tailored to each client's individual financial circumstances, aiming to optimize deductions, credits, and retirement planning strategies. Our goal is to help clients achieve their financial objectives while minimizing their tax burden within legal parameters. In addition, we use sophisticated software to provide our clients with a tax plan tailored to their unique tax situation.

Data Security and Technology

How do you secure client data and maintain confidentiality?

Ensuring the security of your data is a top priority for us. We utilize cutting-edge security protocols to safeguard your sensitive financial information and uphold confidentiality. Through our secure client portal, all data is encrypted, eliminating the need for sensitive files to be transmitted via email or in-person delivery. We also utilize two-factor authentication across all our platforms, frequently change our passwords, and have all data backed up securely.

What technology or software do you use to manage financial information?
We use Tax Dome and ProConnect software to manage financial information effectively and securely.

Client-Centered Service

How do you foster long-term relationships with your clients?

We aim for enduring relationships with our clients. We're dedicated to understanding your evolving needs and providing ongoing support to help you with your tax needs. Our firm also issues a quarterly tax newsletter providing important tax update to our clients and we frequently host tax seminars to educate our clients.

Can you accommodate future growth or changes in my financial needs?
Absolutely. Our services are designed to accommodate your future growth and evolving financial needs. We adapt to changes, ensuring continued support aligned with your objectives.