Frequently Asked Questions

Question: WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO CALL UPON A CPA?

Answer: Starting a small business? Overwhelmed by financial choices? Developing an estate plan or trying to reduce next year's taxes? Need to set up a trust fund? A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) can help. Most importantly, according to the Massachusetts Society of CPAs, the degree to which a CPA can help depends on your ability to find the right one and clearly communicate your own goals and objectives.

Question: WHAT CAN ANN M. IRONS, CPA, LLC OFFER ME?

Answer: Business owners and managers from all levels of organizations depend on us for a wide range of services -- from traditional tax preparation to advice on developing effective accounting systems to performing risk assessments.

Question: WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO DETERMINE OUR COMPATIBILITY?

Answer: Finding the right CPA requires that you determine the compatibility of your needs with our areas of expertise, strength, style and experience. What about the frequency for meeting or speaking with your CPA? Ann Irons CPA offers a full range of services and accessibility. We are looking to develop long term relationships with our clients.

Question: HOW MUCH INFORMATION SHOULD I PROVIDE?

Answer: Be prepared to discuss your plans and objectives. Ann Irons is in the best position to advise you and serve your interests once we understand your goals. Gather all relevant personal and business financial information so you can give a clear picture and ask specific questions. Be clear and candid about what you expect from our services. Save yourself unnecessary fees by keeping good records and not using professional time for routine work. Keep us informed of changes in your personal and professional life. A marriage or divorce, the birth of a child, a career change, an inheritance or an especially generous bonus can all have a significant impact on your tax liability.

Question: WHAT ABOUT THE SECURITY OF MY PERSONAL INFORMATION?

Answer: One major advantage of working with Ann Irons CPA is the security of your information. Many companies, large and small, outsource tax preparation services to firms overseas, and they are not required to tell you this is happening (unless you specifically ask). Your private information may or may not be safe once it gets there. Why take this chance? Ann Irons secures all client information in-house and shreds unused copies of your information before discarding. Only employees of the firm, working at the firm's office, will have access to your file, and then only on an as-needed basis. Every care is taken to ensure your information is protected from any form of fraud or identity theft.

Question: WHAT OTHER SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE?

Answer: Bringing us into a transaction before it’s final can potentially save you thousands of dollars in taxes on real state sales, divorce, stock option exercises, major investment rebalancing, forming or disposing of a business and more. For instance:

* Contributions to your retirement can save you money now and provide even bigger benefits later;
* Most of the tax changes implemented in the past few years are temporary and many of the rates and thresholds change each year;
* Careful planning on stock sales could cut your tax burden by as much as half; and,
* Real estate investors may be able to defer the gain on your property sale if you are buying a similar property and structure the transaction properly.