1040 Maintenance Membership — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about how our CPA-led 1040 Maintenance Membership works — including scope, billing cadence, and what’s included for complex individual filers (Schedules C/E/F, rentals, or multi-state).
Membership Basics
What is the 1040 Maintenance Membership?
A flat-fee, CPA-led maintenance program for complex individual taxpayers. It bundles your annual 1040 return, quarterly check-ins, Q4 planning, and ongoing CPA access under one relationship and one predictable fee — not a one-time filing.
Who is this for?
Self-employed (Schedule C), rental or investment owners (Schedule E), farm filers (Schedule F), and multi-state taxpayers who want year-round CPA oversight and proactive planning instead of after-the-fact tax prep.
When does my membership start and how is it billed?
Rolling start & flat cadence: Your membership begins the day you sign. We onboard immediately and bill every 28 days (13 cycles per year). This creates consistent cash flow and continuous service throughout the year.
Included Return & Scope
Which tax year is covered?
We include the tax year that ends within your 12-cycle membership window. For calendar-year filers, that’s the current calendar year (filed next season). Your 1040 and primary state return are included at each tier; additional states or entities are quoted by scope.
What’s included in the Base tier?
- CPA-prepared Form 1040 + primary state (preparation & e-file)
- Quarterly check-ins (income, estimates, and life events)
- Q4 planning meeting (projection & action steps)
- Notice handling for returns we file
- Secure portal + e-signature + reasonable email access
What’s different about the Enhanced tier?
- Everything in Base plus expanded scope for multi-state and/or multiple rentals
- Priority response SLA (typically ≤ 24 business hours)
- Optional IRS transcript monitoring and estimate management
- Quarterly reminders for estimated payments
Are entity returns or bookkeeping included?
No. This membership covers your individual return and related Schedules C/E/F activity. Entity returns (1120S, 1065, 1120) and full monthly bookkeeping are available under our Business Membership.
Pricing & Billing
How much does it cost?
Base 1040 Maintenance:$267 per 28 days (≈ $3,210 annual)
Enhanced 1040 Maintenance:$325 per 28 days (≈ $3,900 annual)
Final pricing is confirmed after we review complexity and scope.
How are payments handled?
Billed by autopay every 28 days from your start date. No invoices to chase. Your engagement letter outlines scope, tier, and service levels before billing begins.
Is there a commitment or setup fee?
Membership is annual (12 cycles). Light onboarding is included. If substantial catch-up or reconstruction is needed, we’ll quote a fixed setup fee before work begins so there are no surprises.
Portal & Support
How do I send documents and receive my return?
All documents, signatures, and filings flow through our secure portal. Please avoid sending sensitive information by email or text. You’ll receive e-file confirmation once accepted.
How fast do you respond to questions?
Response times follow your tier’s SLA (typically 24–48 business hours). “Quick questions” under 10 minutes are included. Longer items are scheduled as strategy calls.
Do you handle IRS or state notices?
Yes. We handle notices for returns we prepare. If you enroll with open prior-year issues, we’ll review them and quote a resolution scope separately.
Is this fully virtual?
Yes — we serve clients nationwide through secure systems and video meetings. In-person appointments are available by request at our Oklahoma City and Orange County locations.