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 access to your CPA under one relationship and one predictable cadence — not a one-time filing.
Who is this for?
Self-employed filers (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 rolling 12-cycle membership window. For calendar-year filers, that’s the current calendar year (filed the following season). Your individual Form 1040 and one primary state return are included at each tier; additional states, multiple rentals, K-1s, or special elections are scoped and priced as add-ons.
What’s included in the Base (Complex) tier?
- CPA-prepared Form 1040+ primary state (prep & e-file)
- Quarterly check-ins(income, estimates, life events)
- Q4 tax planning session (projection & action steps)
- Notice handling for returns we file
- Secure portal & e-signature • reasonable Q&A access
Multi-state, additional rentals, K-1 packages, or special elections are quoted by scope during discovery.
What’s different about the Enhanced tier?
- Everything in Base , plus expanded scope for multi-state filing and/or multiple rentals
- Priority portal response SLAs (typically ≤ 24 business hours)
- Optional IRS transcript monitoring & estimate management
- Quarterly estimate reminders & support
Final scope confirmed in discovery. Entity returns (1120S/1065/1120) and full monthly bookkeeping are available under our Business Membership.
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 separately under our Business Membership.
Pricing & Billing
How much does it cost?
Base 1040 Maintenance:
clients pay about $267 per 28 days
(≈ $3,471/year
)
Enhanced 1040 Maintenance:
clients pay about $325 per 28 days
(≈ $4,225/year
)
Final pricing is confirmed after we review your complexity and scope during discovery.
How are payments handled?
Billed by autopay every 28 days from your start date (13 cycles/year). No invoices to chase. Your engagement letter outlines scope, tier, and service levels before billing begins.
Is there a commitment or setup fee?
The 1040 Maintenance Membership has a 12-month (13-cycle) commitment. Light onboarding is included. If substantial catch-up or reconstruction is needed, we’ll quote a fixed setup/cleanup before work begins — no surprises.
Portal & Support
How do I send documents and receive my return?
All documents, signatures, and filings flow through our secure Qount portal. Please avoid sending sensitive information via email or text. You’ll receive an 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 matters 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 and quote a separate resolution scope.
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 offices.