Tax Return Review and Second Opinion in Orange County
Did your refund drop, or does a California credit look missing? Bring the return you filed or the draft you are about to sign. We compare it with your records, explain what the numbers mean and help you decide whether anything needs correcting. Meet in Costa Mesa or work with us remotely.
Bring the return and the question you want answered
If your refund dropped, the first question may be whether your tax went up or less tax was withheld. Bring both years’ returns and your income statements so we can compare those figures instead of guessing from the refund alone.
If you received a corrected form, we compare it with what was reported. For a draft, we explain what to clarify before filing. For a filed return, we discuss whether a correction may be appropriate.
WHAT WE CAN DISCUSS
✓Agree on the tax year, return and questions to review
✓Compare the relevant entries with supporting documents
✓Explain findings, missing information and possible next steps
The exact work is confirmed before your preparation begins.
We check the rules for the filing year. Earned income may qualify you for the refundable California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), even without children. A qualifying child under six at year-end may make the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC) relevant, including for some families with no earned income.
If you rented your main home in California for at least half the year, we also check the income and other eligibility rules for the nonrefundable renter’s credit. A missing credit line alone does not establish an error.
Federal changes and the state result
Suppose you received a corrected W-2 after filing. We compare its wages and withholding with both returns and check whether the change was already reported. A federal correction can affect California tax, but some differences are expected: for example, California excludes U.S. Social Security benefits even when they are taxable federally.
Is there still time to claim a refund?
California generally allows four years from the original due date, or one year from the overpayment, whichever is later. If you filed a timely return during the extension period, the four years generally run from the actual filing date. Federal deadlines are separate. Bring the dates so we can check before you pay for an amendment.
If a filed California return needs correcting, for tax years 2017 and later the amendment generally includes the corrected Form 540, 540 2EZ or 540NR and Schedule X explaining the change. See amended tax return preparation for that separate service.
GET READY
What to bring for your return.
Use this list as a starting point. We may need other records after learning more about your situation.
Do not send private documents through the contact form. Ask how to share them before sending.
✓Complete federal and California returns for the year in question, including all schedules
✓Prior-year return if you want a year-to-year comparison
✓Original and corrected forms related to your question
✓A short list of the amounts or entries you want explained
✓For credit questions: rent dates, earned income records, and qualifying child’s age and living arrangements, as applicable
✓For an older return: filing date, payment dates, and any IRS or FTB adjustment letters
PRICING
Know the cost before we start.
Request a quote for your review. Tell us the tax year and what you want checked.
The review fee depends on the number of years, forms and questions. We quote any additional preparation separately.
Yes. You can bring a return prepared by another tax preparer or by software. Tell us the tax year and which entry or result you want explained, and bring the supporting records along with the full returns.
What happens if you find an error?+
We show you the entry, explain which returns it affects and discuss how the correction changes the result. A draft can be corrected before filing. For an already-filed return, we discuss whether an amendment is appropriate. You decide whether to proceed; nothing is filed as part of the review.
How much does a tax return review cost?+
We quote the review before starting, based on the years, forms and questions involved. Tell us whether you want one item checked or several. If you choose to have us prepare an amendment, we quote that work separately.
What if the return looks correct?+
We explain how the items reviewed match your records and what accounts for the result. A review does not have to lead to a change.
