Doug Zandstra CPA EA
Tax Preparation Services
We prepare approximately 350 personal income tax returns per year. We do not accept more than that, and prior year clients take precedence when scheduling appointments.
In 2017 we took 50 requests for new clients and accepted 20.
We are not a high volume tax preparation firm, we are a high quality tax preparation firm.
We encourage the use of electronic documentation, timeliness and completeness.
Our pricing is designed to be fair.
We have as good of a reputation as there is, we intend it to stay that way.
(1) Use an Organizer
(2) Get us your information
(3) Use Online Scheduling
(4) Downtown Parking
(5) Courier Service
(6) Communicate with email, or a text,
(7) Turnaround Time
(8) Documents and Storage
(9) Fees and Pricing
(10) Payment
(11) Extensions
(1) Use an Organizer
We email out custom tax organizers to prior year clients. We start calling in January to confirm email addresses and phone numbers, we password protect organizers and email them out.
This organizer includes a one page checklist of documents that were dropped off last year. At a minimum, this must be used to make sure that you have all of your documents for us to get started.
Generic blank organizers are available on our blog.
Worksheets for vehicle expenses, rental property etc… are also available in the online filecabinet.
(2) Get us your information
We encourage clients to simply drop off their tax information, including the tax organizer. If you wish to have someone available to review your information when you drop off, you must use the online scheduler. We can answer quick questions, and see if we have all of the information.
(3) Use Online Scheduling
The web site allows you to schedule appointments for drop off, that way our lobby does not get overloaded and you (our clients) do not get frustrated. Scheduling is simple, go to the web site www.dougzandstra.com, and use the set an appointment box. Allow for 2 – 3 days in advance.
(4) Downtown Parking
We will validate your parking at the City Parking Ramp located directly across the street at 28 Pearl, it is the Pearl and Ionia ramp. We do not have parking arrangements with the lot next to the building. The City Ramp is covered. You will not have to scrape snow off your car when you leave.
(5) Courier Service
We have a courier service. If you cannot or prefer not to come downtown, we work closely with a service that can deliver or pick up tax information within the greater Grand Rapids area for an additional cost of $10.00 – $15.00 per trip.
(6) Communicate with email, or a text,
Voicemail is updated daily the online calendar links to my appointment book until the end of April.
Texting is very much encouraged. The office number (616-970-3000) is set up for texting.
(7) Turnaround Time
Tax preparation turnaround is generally 3 – 7 days, it all depends on the completeness of the information that is provided. We are paperless, and organized.
(8) Documents and Storage
Clients are provided with a paper copy of their tax return
Original documents are always returned
Your returns and documents are stored on your online file cabinet so that you can access your information from anywhere, anytime.
(9) Fees
Fees Standard Fees. We post standard fees on the website, you can review them there. Those fees are based upon your completion of the appropriate tax return organizer. We can provide organizers based on last years tax return information, or there are blank organizers available at our website.
Standard fees include an appointment to drop off and quick review of your information if needed.
Consultation. Appointments for “consultation” are not included with standard fees. Consultation is not the same as tax preparation, consultation appointments can also be scheduled using the web site.
Subsequent Changes. Additional information supplied to us that require additional time, processing charges as well as filing amended returns are billed in addition to standard fees. It is important to be as thorough as possible when gathering, and providing your tax return documents and organizer to us.
If you wish to minimize your tax preparation fees, we encourage you to complete the organizer, supply us with all of your final tax return documents, and resolve any issues in advance that you become aware of.
(10) Payment
Payment for services and tax returns are due and payable prior the transmittal of your tax returns. We can make special arrangements to accommodate, but they need to be made in advance.
We do accept credit cards – see our “contact and scheduler” tab on the website
(11) Extensions
We rarely file tax extensions. The tax deadline has been April 15 for a very long time. If you wish to have your tax returns extended, I would encourage you to seek another accountant.
If you have any questions after that, feel free to call.
Thank You!