Getting started
The first thirty days — what to expect, what we need, and how fast you can hand things off.
How long does onboarding take?
Most clients are fully onboarded within ten business days. Bookkeeping clients see their first reconciled month inside three weeks. Tax-only clients can be ready to file as soon as we have your prior return and current-year documents.
What do I need to send you to get started?
Two things to begin: (1) last year's tax return, and (2) read-only access to your accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero, Wave) or bank/credit-card statements if you don't use one yet. We'll send a structured checklist after the first call.
Do you switch us off our current bookkeeper or CPA?
Yes — and we handle the handoff so you don't have to. We'll request your prior records, reconcile against opening balances, and flag anything we find that doesn't match. No awkward email to your old firm required.
Do we need to be in Chicago to work with you?
No. We are based in Chicago and serve clients in 38 US states. Everything happens over Slack, email, video, and a shared document portal. The handful of clients we've met in person did so because they wanted to, not because they had to.
Is the first call really free?
Yes. Thirty minutes, no card, no obligation. You leave with an honest read on whether we're the right firm for you — even if the answer is no.
Pricing & billing
How we quote, how we invoice, and what changes the math.
How do you charge for bookkeeping?
Flat monthly fee, quoted up front based on transaction volume, number of accounts, and how clean the books currently are. Typical range is $300–$1,200 per month. The number we send before we start is the number you pay when we finish. No hourly surprises.
How do you charge for tax preparation?
Flat per-return fee, quoted after we see your prior return. Simple S-corp returns start around $850, partnerships around $1,100, multi-state filers higher. We quote in writing before any work begins.
Does the monthly bookkeeping fee include the tax return?
No — bookkeeping and tax preparation are quoted separately. Most clients use us for both because the handoff is friction-free, but you are not required to. Combined-engagement clients see a 10% discount on the tax return.
What payment methods do you accept?
Stripe handles all payment processing. We accept ACH (preferred — no fee), credit card, and debit card. Invoices go out on the first of the month and are due in 15 days.
What if we need extra work mid-month?
Catch-up work, amended returns, IRS-letter responses, or new-state registrations are quoted in writing before we start. You always know the number ahead of time.
For current clients
How to get fast answers when you're already onboarded.
What's the fastest way to reach my team?
Slack channel — every active client has a dedicated channel with the practitioner who quotes, signs, and answers everything. Most messages get a reply inside three business hours. For anything urgent, use the "@here" tag.
Where do I upload sensitive documents?
Your client portal (link sent at onboarding). Documents are encrypted in transit and at rest. Never email tax documents, IDs, or bank statements — even to us.
How do I get a copy of a previous return or financial statement?
Ask in Slack or email hello@hoyosbaker.com. We can re-issue any prior-year return, P&L, balance sheet, or 1099 within one business day at no charge.
Can I add a new entity or state mid-year?
Yes. Ping us with the EIN, formation state, and effective date. We'll quote any added bookkeeping or tax scope in writing and have the new entity rolling within ten business days.
Tax season
Deadlines, document checklists, and what to do if you're late.
When are the 2026 deadlines?
Personal returns and C-corp returns are due April 15, 2026. S-corp and partnership returns are due March 16, 2026. Quarterly estimates are due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. Extensions push the filing date but not the payment date — interest still accrues.
When do you need my documents to guarantee an on-time filing?
For S-corps and partnerships, we need everything by February 15 to guarantee a March 16 filing. For personal and C-corp returns, by March 15 to guarantee April 15. Later than that and we'll file an extension and circle back when the books are reconciled.
What if I can't pay what I owe?
File on time anyway — the failure-to-file penalty is ten times the failure-to-pay penalty. The IRS offers installment agreements for balances under $50,000 that we can set up online in about an hour. Don't skip the return.
Do you handle IRS notices and audits?
Yes. Forward the notice to us within 24 hours of receipt and don't respond on your own. We draft the reply, file any supporting documentation, and represent you through resolution. Most notices are clerical and resolve in one round of correspondence.
Can you handle multi-state returns?
Yes. We routinely handle clients with nexus in five or more states. If you've expanded into a new state and aren't sure whether you owe tax there, send the registration date and a recent revenue split and we'll tell you in one email.
What about FBAR or foreign-asset reporting?
Yes — we handle FBAR (FinCEN Form 114), Form 8938, and the Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures for dual citizens and naturalized clients. Our guide on foreign asset reporting covers the basics.
Security & privacy
How we protect the documents and information you trust us with.
How is my financial information protected?
All documents are encrypted in transit (TLS 1.2+) and at rest (AES-256). We use Stripe for all payment processing — we never see or store your card or bank-account numbers. Access to your records is restricted to the practitioner assigned to your engagement.
Do you share my data with anyone?
No. We do not sell, rent, or share client data with marketers, brokers, or third parties. The only disclosures we make are the ones required by law — for example, filing your return with the IRS. Full detail in our Privacy Policy.
What happens to my documents when our engagement ends?
We retain tax records for seven years (the IRS statute of limitations) and bookkeeping records for the duration of our engagement plus three years. You can request export or deletion at any time, subject to our legal retention obligations. See the Privacy Policy for the full schedule.
