LETTER OF ENGAGEMENT
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Our work (whether consultation, tax return, tax plan or related product) is based on data you provide.
We are not responsible to audit or verify the data that you give to us.
We may ask for clarification of your data or additional information.
We are not responsible to discover fraud or other irregularities, should any exist.
We will work to find all the credits and deductions you are legally entitled to.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
To provide all the information required for a complete and accurate finished product.
To provide this information in a timely manner.
To retain, with the completed work, all the documents, cancelled checks and other data that form the basis of income and deductions since you may later have to provide them to a taxing authority.
To carefully review all work completed by our office before you sign. You have the final responsibility for anything submitted to a taxing authority.
You are responsible not to commit fraud.
You are responsible to let us know if you receive additional sources of income, self-employed income, 1099k Form, and Unemployment 1099 Form.
PENALTIES, EXAMINATIONS AND NOTICES
The IRS and state taxing authorities impose penalties for certain offenses, including understatement of income, filing after the deadline, underpaying estimated taxes, or under withholding taxes (If you would like more information, please contact us.) They can also select any return for examination.
PRIVACY POLICY
Tax preparers are bound by professional standards of confidentiality. Therefore, we have always protected your right to privacy. For current and former clients, we do not disclose any nonpublic personal information obtained in the course of our practice except as required or permitted by law, and as is necessary to properly provide our services to you.
TYPES of NONPUBLIC PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT
We collect nonpublic personal information about you that is provided to us by you or obtained by us with your authorization.
Parties to Whom We Disclose Information. We make available information to our employees and to nonaffiliated third parties who need to know that information to assist us in providing services to you. In all such situations, we require a contractual agreement that includes procedural safeguards that protect the confidential nature of the information being shared.
PROTECTING the CONFIDENTIALITY and SECURITY of CURRENT and FORMER CLIENT INFORMATION
We retain records relating to professional services that we provide so that we are better able to assist you with your professional needs and, in some cases, to comply with professional guidelines. In order to guard your nonpublic personal information, we maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with our professional standards.
OUR FEES
We invoice for time spent, depending on schedules and forms completed and out-of-pocket expenses incurred. Our rates vary depending on the nature of the work performed. We may invoice for partially completed work that is placed on extension or remains undone.
TAX DOCUMENTS
All clients are provided a copy of their tax documents at the conclusion of their tax preparation, if return is e-filed to the IRS. Tax documents are issued via email or in office only. In order to provide you with a copy of your tax documents, tax return must be e-filed and submitted to the IRS. Any additional copies of your e-filed tax documents are $50 per year.
*A retainer will be required when working on ALL tax returns and before undertaking projects for new clients.
ARBITRATION
If a dispute arises out of or relates to this contract or engagement letter, or the obligations of the parties therein, and if the dispute cannot be settled through negotiation, the parties agree first to try in good faith to settle the dispute by mediation administered by the American Arbitration Association under its commercial Mediation Rules before resorting to arbitration, litigation, or some other dispute resolution procedure.
AGREEMENT
The foregoing is in accordance with my (our) understanding of your engagement to provide tax and financial services and you are hereby advised that each item of revenue or expense can be substantiated by receipts, cancelled checks, or other documents. This information is true, correct, and complete to the best of my (our) knowledge. Further, it is my (our) understanding that these terms will continue to be in force for the succeeding years of our engagement.
CLIENT DATA ORGANIZER
Please provide for your appointment
Last year's tax return (new clients only)
All statements (W2’s, 1098s, 1099s, Business Income Statements)
Name and address label (from government booklet or card)
1. PERSONAL INFORMATION
2. DEPENDENTS (Children & Others)
EITC DEPENDENT SECTION (Relationship/Support/Residency):
*Required When Filing Dependents
Dependent 1:
Dependent 2:
Dependent 3:
Additional Household Support Verification:
EITC Government Assistance Verification:
Please answer the following questions to determine maximum deductions
Earned Income Credit Due Diligence
Around 60% of all mistakes in EITC are results of 3 main areas:
1. The child might not meet the age, residency, or relationship requirement.
2. The case might be that someone is filing as single or HOH when he/she is actually married.
3. A mistake might arise when reporting income or expenses. Special attention has to be paid when the client is answering these questions.
The people who are eligible for EITC:
1. Have earned income
2. Have a valid Social Security Number
3. Are filing separately and not as married
4. Are not a nonresident alien
5. Are not a qualifying child of another person
6. Are not filing Form 2555 or Form 2555-EZ
7. Have limited investment income
ACCOUNT
IRS Required Documents to file Section:
1. Taxpayer Identification Verification:
2. Taxpayer Filing Status and Address Verification
3. Taxpayer Dependent ID Verification:
4. Taxpayer Dependent Relationship Verification:
5. Taxpayer Dependent Residency Verification
6. Tax Payer Income Statement Verification-W2, 1099, Bank Statement, Income Statement, Receipt Log, Medical/Dental Expense, Taxes paid,Interest expense (1098-Int), Charitable contribution, or any additional documentation
Additional Documents
(Please upload the following document if available)
Property Sold Income, IRA (Individual Retirement), Dividend income, Partnership Trust, Estate, Property sold Income, Pension, Annuity Income, Child and dependent care expenses, Education Expense (College 1098T form), Business mileage, or any other additional documents.
To the best of my knowledge the information enclosed in this client tax organizer is correct and includes all income, deductions, and other information necessary for the preparation of this year's income tax returns for which I have adequate records.
Tax Preparation Checklist
Please provide the following documentation:
All Forms W-2 (wages), 1099-INT (interest), 1099-DIV (dividends), 1099-B (proceeds from broker or barter transactions), 1099-R (pensions and IRA distributions), Schedules K-1 from partnerships, S corporations, estates and trusts, and other income reporting statements, including all copies provided by the payer.
Form 1095-A (for health insurance purchased through a public exchange),
Form 1095-B (for health insurance purchased outside of a public exchange), or Form 1095-C (for employer-provided health insurance coverage).
If you are a new client, provide copies of last year’s tax returns.
The completed Individual Income Tax Organizer. Note: If you choose not to fill out the organizer, you must at least answer the “Yes” or “No” questions under “Questions — All Taxpayers.”
Copy of the closing statement if you bought or sold real estate.
Mileage figures for any automobile expenses claimed, including total mileage, commuting mileage, and business mileage.
Details of estimated tax payments made, if any.
Income and deductions categorized on a separate sheet for business or rental activities.
List of itemized deductions categorized on a separate sheet for medical, taxes, interest, charitable, and miscellaneous deductions.
Copy of all acknowledgment letters received from charitable organizations for contributions made in 2025.
Tax Return Preparation
We will prepare your tax return based on the information you provide. If your return is audited, you will be responsible for verifying the reported items. Please review the return carefully before signing to ensure the information is correct. Unless otherwise stated, the services for preparing your return do not include auditing, review, or any other form of verification or assurance.
Taxpayer Responsibilities
You agree to provide us with all income and deductible expense information. If you receive additional information after we commence work on your return, you will contact us immediately to ensure that your completed tax returns contain all relevant information. You affirm that all expenses or other deduction amounts are accurate and that you have all required supporting written records. In some cases, we may ask to review your documentation. You must be able to provide written records of all items included on your return if audited by either the IRS or state tax authority. We can provide guidance on what evidence is acceptable.
Before signing, carefully review the return to ensure the information is correct. Fees must be paid before your tax return is delivered to you or filed on your behalf. If you terminate this engagement before completion, you agree to pay a fee for work completed. A retainer is required for the preparation of late returns.
It is advisable to keep a copy of your tax return and any related tax documents. A fee may be assessed if you request a copy in the future.
By signing below, you acknowledge reading, understanding, and accepting your obligations and responsibilities.
For a joint return, both taxpayers must sign.
Consent for Payment
We value our relationship with our clients. We are in the business to provide you with the best service possible. We want to remind you that you are being provided a service and not a tax refund. You as a taxpayer have the option to pay your tax preparation fees by: cash, money order, credit card, electronic payment, or directly from your refund.
If you choose to have the tax preparation fees taken from your refund and your taxes are intercepted, YOU ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TAX PREPARATION FEES! By signing your return, you are agreeing to pay the tax preparation fees regardless of if your refund is released or not.
Upon our notification of your refund being intercepted, we will send you an invoice for payment. If payment is not received within 30 days of the invoice then we will proceed with ACH processing or collections if no bank account is held by the client.
NOTE: The Department of Treasury's Financial Management Services (FMS) can offset ANY UNPAID federal or government debt against your refund WITHOUT prior notice.
Most commonly, the offset is taken for: Past due child support, Debts owed to a federal/ state agency, Unemployment debts owed to state, and/or past due federal student loans.
ACH Authorization Form
I, hereby authorize ELTE TAX SOLUTIONS to initiate electronic debits to my bank account for the purpose of collecting payment for the services related to the preparation of my tax return. I understand and agree to the following terms:
Payment for Tax Preparation Services: I acknowledge that I am engaging ELTE TAX SOLUTIONS for the professional service of preparing my tax return. Payment is not contingent upon the approval or funding of my tax refund.
Billing Authorization: In the event that my tax refund is not approved and funded within 30 days through a bank product with a third-party bank, I authorize ELTE TAX SOLUTIONS to electronically debit my bank account for the full amount of the tax preparation fees as agreed upon. This debit will be initiated as soon as practicable after the 30-day period has lapsed.
Bank Account Information: I have provided accurate and current information regarding my bank account for the purpose of this electronic debit authorization.
Right to Revoke: I understand that I may revoke this authorization at any time by providing written notice to ELTE TAX SOLUTIONS. Such revocation will not affect any fees or charges that have already been incurred.
Record Keeping: ELTE TAX SOLUTIONS will retain a copy of this authorization form, and I will receive written notice of any changes in the payment amount or schedule at least 10 days prior to the initiation of any debits.
