FAQ

How to set up appointment to speak with Lori?

Please send an email to Lori@LoriChristCPA.com and we can schedule a time to talk.

How to securely share your files and data with us?

Never attach your financial documents with your email. We are using business-class file sharing platform with bank-level data encryption to secures your files in transit and at rest. We will provide you a link via email.

How “working with us” will look before, during and after tax season?

Year-end Tax Return process:

December - look for an Organizer sent to you. Get ready to submit items you can collect during the year, if applicable: home sale info, some non-cash charity, childcare, 529 contributions, real estate tax, car tax.
January - Items you can get ready for us in January – self-employed income & expenses, estimated payments, rental income & expenses
End of January - Items you should receive by January 31st: W2 wages from your employer, interest income statements, charity receipts, mortgage interest statements, college tuition statements, retirement income statements, social security income statements.
Mid February - Items you should receive by February 15th: brokerage account income statements (1099 reporting interest, dividends, stock sales)
Items we may have to wait on to complete the return – K1’s from trusts, estates, small businesses.
April - If we need to file an extension, we will want to have a draft ready by April 15th and make any necessary extension payments. We will then complete the return with all the complete information.

Communication during the year is encouraged. Our goal is to file an income tax return that always about breaks even. If you change jobs, move, have a child, add self-employment, etc., we would like to hear from you.

Need more time to prepare your tax return?

Many taxpayers get nervous as we approach the 4/15 due date and will ask, "is it okay to file an extension?" Don't' let an extension scare you. You are far better off, making sure that you have the correct information when we file. We can prepare a draft by 4/15 and make an "extension" payment to cover the tax liability. We do not want to file in a hurry and make a mistake that later needs to be amended. If we need to file an extension, we will want to have a draft ready by 4/15 and make any necessary extension payments.

How long to keep track of records?

You should keep records for 7 years. There are some exceptions: sales documents for any home sales should be kept as long as you own real estate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Year-end Tax Return process: