Services

Tax preparation, planning, and advice.

Every engagement is CPA-led and built around your situation. Here's how Beacon can help, whether you need one return filed well or a long-term advisor.

Individual & Family Tax
Small Business Tax
Tax Planning & Strategy
Advisory & Tax Notices

Individual & Family Tax

Accurate, thoughtful returns for households with more than a W-2. We look at the whole picture, from equity compensation to rental income to a mid-year move, so nothing is missed and nothing is overpaid.

What's included

Federal and North Carolina individual returns
Multi-state returns for movers and remote workers
RSUs, stock options, and ESPP reporting
Investment, dividend, and crypto activity
Rental property and Schedule E income
Education credits and 529 plan questions
Child, dependent care, and family credits
Extensions and estimated tax payments

A good fit if: You have more going on than a single W-2 and want a CPA who understands the full picture, not just this year's forms.

Small Business Tax

Returns and compliance for S corporations, partnerships, LLCs, and sole proprietors, plus the decisions that shape them, like entity choice and owner compensation.

What's included

S corporation returns (Form 1120-S)
Partnership and multi-member LLC returns (Form 1065)
Sole proprietor and single-member LLC (Schedule C)
C corporation returns (Form 1120)
North Carolina business filings
Entity selection and S corporation election analysis
Reasonable compensation and owner pay planning
Quarterly estimates and 1099 compliance

A good fit if: You run a business or practice and want returns done right, plus a trusted advisor for the decisions that shape your tax bill.

Tax Planning & Strategy

Year-round planning that looks ahead instead of back. Projections, timing, and strategy so April holds no surprises and every major decision is made with the tax impact in view.

What's included

Year-end tax projections
Withholding and estimated payment planning
Retirement contributions: 401(k), SEP, Solo 401(k), Roth
Equity compensation timing and exercise strategy
Charitable giving: donor-advised funds, bunching, QCDs
Major life events: marriage, children, home sales
Relocating to or from North Carolina
Buying or selling a business

A good fit if: You'd rather make decisions with the tax impact in view than find out about it the following April.

Advisory & Tax Notices

Clear help when a letter arrives from the IRS or the NC Department of Revenue, when prior years need attention, or when you want a second opinion on a big decision.

What's included

IRS and NC Department of Revenue notice review
Drafting and filing notice responses
Payment plans and penalty relief requests
Amended and prior-year returns
Catching up on unfiled returns
Second opinions on major financial decisions
Coordination with your financial advisor and attorney
Year-round questions as they come up

A good fit if: A letter just arrived, a past year needs fixing, or you simply want an experienced CPA to talk a decision through with.

Common questions

Before you reach out.

How are fees determined?

Fees reflect the complexity of your situation: the number of forms, entities, and states involved, and how much planning you'd like. You receive a clear quote before any work begins, so there are no surprises.

Can you take over from my current preparer?

Yes. Changing preparers is common and straightforward. We'll ask for your prior two or three years of returns so we can understand your history and carry forward anything that matters, like depreciation schedules or capital loss carryovers.

Do you work with clients outside the Triangle?

Yes. Beacon is based in Chapel Hill and meets clients in person locally, but most of the work happens through secure online document exchange and video meetings, so clients elsewhere in North Carolina and beyond are welcome.

I've received an IRS letter. Can you help even if you didn't prepare the return?

Yes. Send us the notice and the return it relates to. We'll review what the IRS or NC Department of Revenue is asking, explain it plainly, and recommend a response before any deadline passes.

Accepting new clients

Now accepting new clients for the 2027 tax season.

New-client availability is limited, and the calendar fills as January approaches. Schedule a short introductory call to see whether Beacon is the right fit for you.

Book an intro call How it works