How to Get Started with GlobalTaxHelp.com
Procedural Steps for Performance of Engagement
(The example below is of a typical engagement, and may vary depending on unique client factors)
The following steps would commence after either a verbal or written agreement to do business had occurred, either by telephone or email exchange.
Step One: Download and print the PDF files containing the Client Agreement, and the Tax Organizer. If prior years’ returns are to be prepared, an IRS Power of Attorney Form 2448 may be requested of you.
Step Two: After you review the Client Agreement, sign, date and fax to us at 01-206-522-2004. Full phone, fax, and mailing address can always be found on our Contact Us page.
Step Three: Either in our phone call or by e-mail (regular or secure), provide your credit card information (number, expiration date, and name as printed on card). Or, you may send funds via wire transfer; simply request banking instructions.
Step Four: If it had been requested by us, sign and date page two of the Power of Attorney Form 2448 and fax to us at 01-206-522-2004.
Step Five: Complete as best you can all relevant pages of the Tax Organizer found in Step One. Only GlobalTaxHelp.com staff will see the organizer, so don’t be too concerned with what it looks like so long as it is legible. If more than one year’s tax returns are to be prepared, complete one organizer per year. If you paid foreign taxes, please complete the foreign tax credit worksheet, the next to last page of the organizer. After completion of these forms, fax back to us at 01-206-522-2004.
Step Six: Please fax us a copy of the most recent US tax return (and state return, if relevant) you have filed with the IRS. Please also fax us copies of any NON-US income tax returns or related documents (if any) that cover the years involved.
If it is more convenient for you, you may air express or airmail these papers instead of faxing them. Please send to our office address as listed on the Contact Us page.
Step Seven: We will prepare the returns specified in the engagement letter, based on the figures you report to me. Please feel free to contact us at any point regarding any aspect of the engagement. We shall make every effort to complete your returns before their normal due dates, assuming at least 72 hours prior receipt by us of your input materials (include W-2s, 1099s, 1098s, if applicable). While expats have until June 15th to file a form 1040 return, that is only applicable if you are out of the country on that date. We file an extension prior to April 15th regardless, because if – for any reason – the June 15th filing date is not met, you are still extended to October 15th.
Step Eight: Doing expat tax returns often creates a some flurry of state and/or IRS follow-up correspondence which adds anywhere from 1 to 5 hours of additional work on our part. Such time is charged at the US$220 per hour rate if and as incurred.
FEES: The fees are three stage – pre-preparation, preparation, and follow-up.
Stage One includes steps 1 through 6 (above) is budgeted at 2.5 hours at US$220/hr, or US$550 total. This one-time only new client set-up fee retainer is charged for this amount at the start of the engagement for the time/expense required to establish a new offshore client account; it applies to no other fees.
Stage Two (Step 7) is priced per a “per-forms-required” fee schedule. Once we receive from you the input materials for each year, we can provide a US$ cost estimate if you wish of the preparation fee. Payment is due at the time work is prepared and ready to ship.
Stage Three (Step 8 ) is priced at US$220/hr, payable as incurred.
TERMS: MasterCard, Visa, and American Express are accepted.