Small-Business Tax Preparation Pricing in South Florida
How much will my small-business tax return cost?
CPA Firm South Florida’s published typical preparation ranges are:
- Form 1040 with Schedule C: $300–$1,500.
- Partnership return (Form 1065): $1,000–$5,000+.
- S-corporation return (Form 1120-S): $1,000–$3,500.
The quote depends on your records and filing needs. Cleanup needed for the quoted return and required business-return K-1s are included. State returns cost extra; partnership and S-corporation owners’ personal returns are priced separately. Request a free 20-minute consultation and a quote for your circumstances.
What Determines the Cost of a Small-Business Tax Return?
Small-business tax preparation pricing is based on the work required for the return, not simply on the fact that a business is an LLC, partnership, or S corporation. Two businesses with the same legal structure can require very different amounts of work because their federal tax classifications, records, owners, transactions, and filing obligations are different.
A useful fee discussion begins with the return or schedules the business needs and the condition of the records. It should also identify which services are part of tax preparation and which require a separate scope. Business owners in Fort Lauderdale and throughout South Florida can use this guide to prepare for that discussion without relying on a one-size-fits-all price.
Eight Factors That Commonly Affect a CPA Tax-Preparation Quote
- Federal filing path: A Schedule C filed with an individual return generally involves a different scope from a Form 1065 partnership return or Form 1120-S S-corporation return.
- Condition of the books: Reconciled, complete records are easier to use than records with missing transactions, unreconciled accounts, or personal and business activity mixed together. Bookkeeping cleanup needed to prepare the return is included in the quoted preparation fee, but the amount of cleanup required affects where the fee falls within the published range.
- Number of owners: Additional partners, members, or shareholders may add allocation, capital-account, basis, and Schedule K-1 work. All required Schedule K-1s are included in the quoted business-return fee, but the number of owners can affect the quote.
- Transaction volume and complexity: Inventory, fixed assets, loans, owner transactions, property sales, and unusual transactions can require added review.
- Payroll and contractor reporting: Payroll records and information-return issues may affect the information needed for the income-tax return.
- State and local filings: Operations, employees, property, owners, or sales in more than one state may create additional filing questions. State returns carry additional fees.
- Timing: Late, amended, or extension-related work may require a different scope from an on-time return supported by complete records.
- Additional services: Monthly bookkeeping, payroll, sales-tax returns, amended returns, multistate work, tax planning, IRS representation, and other ongoing or specialized work require separate engagements.
Common Federal Filing Paths by Business Type
An LLC is a legal structure, but it does not by itself identify the federal income-tax return the business files. The IRS explains that an LLC may be classified for federal income-tax purposes as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. Elections and other facts can change the filing path, so the classification should be confirmed before a preparation fee is discussed.
| Business or tax classification | Common federal filing path | Typical firm preparation range | Records that can affect the preparation scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietor or single-member disregarded LLC owned by an individual | Schedule C filed with Form 1040 | $300–$1,500 | Income and expense records, Forms 1099, bank and credit-card activity, assets, vehicle records, and home-office information when applicable |
| Partnership or multi-member LLC taxed as a partnership | Form 1065 and Schedule K-1 information for each partner | $1,000–$5,000+ | Partner information, allocations, capital accounts, contributions, distributions, guaranteed payments, debt, and multistate activity |
| S corporation, including an eligible LLC with an effective S-corporation election | Form 1120-S and Schedule K-1 information for each shareholder | $1,000–$3,500 | Shareholder information, payroll, distributions, basis-related records, assets, loans, and state filing requirements |
These are CPA Firm South Florida’s typical preparation ranges, not fixed quotes. The actual fee depends on the return, the condition of the records, the number of owners, transaction complexity, timing, and any additional services. Bookkeeping cleanup needed to prepare the return is included in the quoted preparation fee. State returns require additional fees.
For authoritative background, review the IRS pages for sole-proprietor forms, Form 1065, Form 1120-S, and LLC federal tax classifications. The return required for a particular business depends on its facts and elections.
What a Small-Business Tax-Preparation Quote Should Clarify
A clear quote or engagement description should identify the work being priced. Before accepting a fee, ask the preparer to explain the assumed condition of the records and how work outside the original scope will be handled.
Return-Preparation Scope
For a sole proprietor or qualifying single-member disregarded LLC, the quoted range covers the complete federal Form 1040 with Schedule C. For a partnership or S corporation, the quoted business-return fee covers Form 1065 or Form 1120-S and all required Schedule K-1s. Each owner’s personal income-tax return is priced separately.
Electronic filing, extension preparation, a client copy of the completed return, and routine questions after filing are normally included. State returns carry additional fees.
Work That May Need a Separate Scope
Bookkeeping cleanup needed to prepare the return is included in the quoted preparation fee, and the condition of the records is considered when the quote is prepared. Monthly bookkeeping, payroll, sales-tax returns, amended returns, multistate work, tax planning, and IRS representation require separate engagements. State returns also carry additional fees.
A standalone accounting review or reconstruction beyond the quoted return’s agreed scope is handled separately. This is the distinction described on the Tax Accountant page: cleanup included for a quoted return does not automatically include broader accounting or ongoing bookkeeping work.
Changes Discovered During Preparation
An initial quote may be based on the information available at the time. Missing records, an unexpected filing requirement, an additional owner, or books that need correction can change the work required. Ask how the firm communicates a proposed scope or fee change before additional work is performed.
Records to Gather Before Requesting a Quote
The more clearly you can describe the return and the condition of the books, the more useful the initial conversation can be. Gather the records that apply to your business:
- Prior-year business and owner tax returns
- Entity formation, ownership, and tax-election documents
- Year-end profit-and-loss statement and balance sheet
- Reconciled business bank and credit-card records
- Payroll reports and owner-compensation information, if applicable
- Partner, member, or shareholder contributions and distributions
- Fixed-asset purchases and sale information
- Loan statements and year-end balances
- Forms 1099 and other tax documents received or issued
- Details about business activity outside Florida
- Any IRS or state tax notice
- A list of missing records or bookkeeping questions
If the books are incomplete, say so at the beginning. That information helps determine the cleanup needed to prepare the return and where the quoted fee falls within the published range. Monthly bookkeeping remains a separate engagement.
How This Page Fits With CPA Firm South Florida’s Tax Services
This page is limited to pricing factors, quote scope, and preparation readiness. For a broader overview of filing support, visit CPA tax preparation in Fort Lauderdale. Business owners comparing ongoing local support can also read about working with a small-business tax specialist.
CPA Firm South Florida offers in-person and virtual tax services and handles returns for clients nationwide. State returns, when required, carry additional fees. The office is located at 1041 W Commercial Blvd, Suite 201, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn’t this page publish a flat price for every business return?
The filing form is only one part of the work. The condition of the books, number of owners, Schedule K-1 requirements, state filings, payroll records, transactions, timing, and additional services can materially change the scope. A fee should be based on the business’s actual filing needs and records.
Does every LLC file the same federal tax return?
No. The IRS explains that an LLC may be classified for federal income-tax purposes as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. An election may also affect its classification. Confirm the LLC’s tax status before determining the return and preparation scope.
Are a business return and the owner’s personal return the same engagement?
For a sole proprietor or qualifying single-member disregarded LLC, the published range covers the complete federal Form 1040 with Schedule C. For a partnership or S corporation, the quoted business-return fee includes Form 1065 or Form 1120-S and all required Schedule K-1s, but each owner’s personal return is priced separately.
Is bookkeeping cleanup included?
Bookkeeping cleanup needed to prepare the quoted tax return is included in that preparation fee, and the condition of the books affects the quote. A standalone accounting review, record reconstruction beyond that return’s agreed scope, and ongoing bookkeeping are separate engagements. Provide the records you have and identify what is missing so the firm can confirm the period, responsibilities, and deliverables. Read about accounting and tax-record review.
Are tax planning and IRS notice help included in tax preparation?
No. Tax planning and IRS representation address different needs from preparing a return and require separate engagements. Monthly bookkeeping, payroll, sales-tax returns, amended returns, and multistate work are also separate engagements.
Can I meet with CPA Firm South Florida in Fort Lauderdale or work virtually?
Yes. The firm offers both in-person and virtual service and works with tax clients nationwide. Call (954) 200-3234 or email [email protected] to request a free 20-minute consultation and discuss the appointment format that fits your situation. State returns carry additional fees.
Discuss Your Small-Business Tax-Preparation Needs
Bring your prior return, current financial statements, ownership information, and a list of unresolved record or filing questions. CPA Firm South Florida can review the information needed to define the preparation scope.
Call or email to request a free 20-minute consultation. The firm serves tax clients nationwide; state returns, when required, carry additional fees.
CPA Firm South Florida
1041 W Commercial Blvd, Suite 201
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone: (954) 200-3234
Email: [email protected]
Request your free 20-minute consultation.
About the Author
Peter Rudolph, CPA, is the managing partner of CPA Firm South Florida. He provides tax preparation, IRS representation, accounting, and year-round tax-planning services for individuals and businesses in Fort Lauderdale and throughout South Florida. Learn more about Peter Rudolph, CPA.
This page provides general information and does not constitute tax, legal, or accounting advice for a specific business. Filing requirements and engagement scope depend on the facts, applicable law, records, elections, and the terms of the engagement.