TAX SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS & SMALL BUSINESSES
Clear tax guidance for the decisions ahead.
Austin Culver CPA LLC provides tax preparation, proactive tax planning, and advisory services for individuals and small businesses throughout Oregon. Every engagement begins with understanding the full tax picture so clients can file accurately, plan ahead with confidence, and make informed decisions about what comes next.
Explore Our Services
Individual & Small Business Tax Return Preparation
Accurate tax return preparation requires more than just entering numbers into a form. Austin Culver CPA LLC takes the time to understand each client’s income, investments, business activity, property ownership, and changing life circumstances so the return reflects the complete picture. This approach helps identify relevant tax credits and deductions that might otherwise be overlooked, ensuring clients don’t end up paying more in taxes than necessary.
The firm prepares federal and Oregon income tax returns for young professionals, families with young children, retirees and those nearing retirement, investors, rental property owners, self-employed individuals, small businesses, new business owners, and clients who need help catching up on late tax return filings.
Tax return preparation includes individual tax returns, sometimes called personal tax returns, and small business tax return preparation for Sole Proprietorships, LLCs, Partnerships, and Corporations (both S-Corps and C-Corps). The goal is to make the process feel organized, understandable, and stress‑free while ensuring all relevant tax credits, deductions, and reporting requirements are properly addressed.
For business clients, the firm primarily works with companies using QuickBooks Online. Businesses using another bookkeeping software may need to work with a trusted bookkeeper to convert their records before tax return preparation begins. If you need help with the conversion, the firm can connect you with a trusted bookkeeper to assist with the transition to QuickBooks Online.
Individual tax return preparation may include:
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Wages, salaries, and self-employment income
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Investment and brokerage account activity (interest, dividends, capital gains)
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Rental property income and expenses
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Retirement income and required minimum distributions (RMDs)
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Tax credits and deductions for young families (child tax credit, dependent care credit, education credits)
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Prior-year or past-due tax returns
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Home sales and rental-property sales
Business tax return preparation may include:
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Sole Proprietorships (Schedule C, Form 1040)
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Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) - may be taxed on Schedule C, Form 1065, or Form 1120-S depending on whether the LLC is single‑member, multi‑member, or has elected S‑Corporation status
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Partnerships (Form 1065)
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S corporations (Form 1120-S)
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C corporations (Form 1120)
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Small businesses generally under $1 million in annual revenue, with some businesses in the $1-2 million range depending on complexity
Tax Planning
Tax planning helps clients plan ahead so they can make informed decisions and avoid costly surprises at tax time. Effective planning can help clients avoid unexpected tax bills, prevent costly mistakes, strategically time discretionary income, and understand the tax consequences of major financial decisions and life events.
Austin Culver CPA LLC provides tax planning services to clients whose tax returns the firm prepares. Preparing the return first, allows the firm to work from complete and verified information, rather than relying on a client's memory or partial understanding of their tax situation. This leads to guidance that is more precise, reliable, and personalized to the client's specific circumstances.
Tax Planning services can include helping clients determine how much to pay in quarterly estimated tax payments after major financial transactions or large increases in income; determine appropriate quarterly estimated tax payments for self-employed individuals whose income can fluctuate and vary considerably year-to-year; choose tax‑efficient retirement accounts (such as Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, SEP IRA, or SIMPLE IRA) that best fit the client's situation; and plan the timing of discretionary income, including multi‑year Roth conversion strategies, to avoid higher tax brackets.
Because tax decisions are interconnected, effective tax planning requires a complete view of the client’s tax history, current situation, and longer‑term goals. By preparing the tax return first, the firm can ensure that planning recommendations are accurate, coordinated, and aligned with the client’s broader financial picture.
Tax planning may help clients:
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Preparing quarterly estimated tax payments after major financial transactions
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Prepare for large increases in income
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Determine appropriate quarterly estimated tax payments for self-employed individuals with fluctuating income
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Choose tax-efficient retirement accounts (Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA)
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Plan the timing of discretionary income to avoid higher tax brackets
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Evaluate multi-year Roth conversion strategies
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Understand the tax impact of investment decisions
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Plan for the tax consequences from the sale of a home or rental property
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Evaluate tax-efficient saving strategies
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Reduce unexpected tax balances due at tax time
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Make informed year-end tax decisions
Consulting & Advisory
Some financial decisions have tax and financial consequences long before they appear on a tax return. Consulting and advisory services help clients navigate major decisions that go beyond taxes, including retirement planning, timing of Social Security benefits, business formation, property transactions, college savings, recordkeeping requirements and improvements, and other situations where financial choices can affect long‑term outcomes. These services are available to tax preparation clients who need guidance that connects their tax picture with broader financial considerations.
Advisory services may include guidance related to:
Starting a business
Understand the differences between sole proprietorships, LLCs, partnerships, S‑corporations, and C‑corporations before selecting an entity structure, and learn how each option affects taxes, reporting requirements, and long‑term planning considerations.
Retirement planning
For retirees and those nearing retirement this can include navigating required minimum distributions (RMDs), timing of Social Security benefits, and tax‑efficient withdrawal strategies. For younger clients, this can include identifying retirement plan saving opportunities and projecting expected savings at retirement.
College savings
Receive guidance on 529 college savings plans to better understand how contributions, withdrawals, and long‑term planning affect not just taxes, but also college affordability for a child or grandchild.
Financial recordkeeping
For self-employed individuals and small businesses, get guidance around recordkeeping, business mileage, home‑office expenses, and changing reporting requirements. Improve the organization and quality of financial information can also help tax preparation and decision‑making become easier and more reliable.
Other opportunities
When preparing the return, additional opportunities may be identified. These may include receiving guidance on decisions such as refinancing a mortgage when interest rates drop, identifying unusually high business expenses that may need reviewed, or determining when to consult an estate planning attorney.
Who We Serve
Austin Culver CPA LLC works best with individuals and small‑businesses who value clear communication, want to understand their taxes, and appreciate having a long‑term relationship with a responsive and accessible CPA. The firm serves clients who prefer thoughtful explanations, organized processes, and proactive guidance that reduces stress and confusion throughout the year, not just at tax time.
Families with Young Children
Early‑career professionals or high‑income individuals with children often benefit from guidance on tax-efficient retirement saving, investing, and planning opportunities as income grows. The firm helps parents understand credits, deductions, childcare expenses, and opportunities to plan ahead for their children’s future through 529 college savings plans.
Self-Employed Individuals
1099 contractors, gig workers, and small business owners face unique tax considerations that can quickly become complex. Accurate recordkeeping, quarterly estimated tax payments, home office deductions, business mileage, and other reporting requirements make working with a CPA essential to prevent costly mistakes and ensure everything is reported correctly.
Retirees & Those Nearing Retirement
Retirees and those approaching retirement often need help navigating required minimum distributions (RMDs), Social Security income, and tax‑efficient withdrawal strategies so their savings last longer throughout retirement. The firm provides clear, practical guidance that helps clients coordinate income sources, reduce avoidable taxes, and make confident long‑term financial decisions.
Small Businesses
Sole Proprietorships, LLCs, Partnerships, C Corporations, and S Corporations each have their own unique tax reporting requirements and complexities. The firm helps small businesses stay compliant, avoid overpaying, and free up more time for small business owners so they can stay focused on running and growing their business.
Investors
Brokerage accounts provide consolidated 1099s statements reporting interest, dividends, and capital gains. They look straightforward, but often include many pages of supplemental information that affect how those items are taxed. The firm uses that information to make sure in-state municipal bond interest, U.S. bond interest, and foreign tax credits are reported correctly so clients avoid paying more tax than necessary.
New Business Owners
New business owners often need guidance on choosing the right entity structure and understanding the pros, cons, and reporting requirements of each option. Making the right choice early can help avoid costly complications as the business grows. Once clients start their business, the firm can help them stay compliant and maintain clean records from day one so they can stay focused on running and growing their business.
Property Owners & Sellers
Even one rental property can create tax‑reporting complexities, and accurate reporting of expenses, depreciation, and other items is essential to avoid issues later. For clients selling a home or rental property, there are significant tax implications. The firm provides clear guidance to help clients understand the tax impact and plan ahead, so they can avoid surprises at tax time.
Late or Unfiled Tax Returns
Individuals and small businesses behind on their taxes are often stressed and overwhelmed, but the longer they wait, the more penalties and interest accumulate, and after three years, refunds can no longer be claimed. The firm helps clients get caught up, minimize penalties and interest, claim refunds while they’re still available, and stay on track going forward so they never fall behind again.
Ready for greater clarity?
Whether you need accurate tax return preparation, proactive tax planning, or guidance through a major financial decision, start with a complimentary conversation to determine whether Austin Culver CPA LLC is the right fit for your needs.
