Client Portal
Over the years, more and more clients have taken advantage of their client portals to upload their tax documents and have their returns completed and filed. Our portal, ATOM Tax Manager has made in person appointments avertible. The portal uploads have allowed clients to avoid having to leave their homes and prevent any health risks associated with meeting in person in the office.
If you are a new client and have restrictions to meeting in person, please contact the office for alternatives for getting your tax information to us. Upon request, we can send you a Tax Organizer. You may use it simply as a guide, or you can complete it, save it, and upload it back to the portal for us to use in preparing your return. The office is located on the second floor, and if stairs are an issue for you, your tax documents can be sent by mail. We can also create a portal for new clients so your tax documents can be scanned and uploaded to our office.
We know tax season can feel stressful, especially as tax situations become more complex over time. This brief overview explains how the process works and what helps returns move along as smoothly as possible.
What to Expect During Tax Season
Tax Returns Are Often More Complex Than They Used to Be
Many clients no longer have a “simple” return. Common factors that add complexity include:
Multiple income sources
Retirement distributions or Social Security
Small business or rental activity
Investment accounts
Life changes such as moving, selling property, retirement, or the loss of a spouse
If your return feels more involved than it used to, that’s very common.
Why Some Returns Take Longer
Delays are usually related to documentation, not problems with your return. Common reasons include:
Late or corrected tax forms (especially brokerage or investment statements)
Business or rental activity requiring additional review
Multi-state filings
Missing or incomplete information
Receiving all documents before preparation begins helps avoid unnecessary delays.
How the Process Works
Our tax preparation process generally follows these steps:
Document Upload
Upload your tax documents securely through the client portal.Review & Preparation
We review your information and prepare your return.Follow-Up (If Needed)
If anything is missing or needs clarification, we’ll contact you.Filing & Payment
Once finalized, we file your return and provide payment instructions if applicable.Extensions (When Appropriate)
In some cases, filing an extension is the responsible choice to ensure accuracy. Filing an extension does not increase audit risk.
Turnaround time can vary depending on document completeness, complexity, and the timing of when forms are received.