Steward Ingram & Cooper, PLLC provides tax planning and preparation for businesses, individuals, estates, and nonprofits in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and Pittsboro. Since 2000, our CPAs have worked with clients across university-adjacent professional practices, healthcare providers, and small businesses along Franklin Street and beyond, tailoring returns to the complexity each brings.
Our Tax Preparation and Planning Services
Our tax services go far beyond filing end-of-year tax returns. Our clients rely on us to prepare their annual and quarterly taxes as well as assist with any unresolved or ongoing tax concerns from previous years. Growing and established Chapel Hill businesses make up the bulk of our client base, and the sections below reflect that focus.
Business Taxes
Whether you run a small sole proprietorship or a growing corporation, we prepare estimated taxes and annual returns for Chapel Hill and Carrboro businesses ethically and accurately. We work with the professional practices, healthcare providers, and independent retailers that make up the local business community, helping you save money, time, and stress on bookkeeping and accounting.
Personal Taxes
For Chapel Hill-area individuals with complex tax issues and high net worths, we assist with multi-state returns, foreign taxes, company stock options, and tax-deferred exchanges.
Estates and Trusts
Without proper estate planning, the assets and property you worked hard to build may end up in the hands of the IRS. We create tax-advantageous strategies that allow more of your estate to go to your family.
Nonprofit Filing
While nonprofit organizations don’t pay taxes, you do need to file a return called a Form 990. This is also needed to share information with donors and your board of directors. Our team will prepare your 990 for you to save you time and ensure it’s done properly.
Why Chapel Hill Businesses Trust Our CPAs
Steward Ingram & Cooper, PLLC has provided tax preparation and planning to Chapel Hill clients since 2000. Our team includes CPAs, a certified fraud examiner, and certified personal financial specialists, led by Managing Member Jeffrey C. Cooper, CPA. We have worked with a wide variety of clients from all backgrounds, and we remain involved in the broader community through organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the Food Bank of Eastern and Central NC.
What is tax planning?
Tax planning consists of the analysis of a taxpayer’s financial situation. By analyzing the taxpayer’s financial situation, we can maximize eligible tax deductions and minimize your tax payments.
What types of tax planning services do you provide?
Our Chapel Hill CPA firm offers tax planning services for individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, and estate planning services.
What can a tax preparer do for me?
Our Chapel Hill CPAs are dedicated to providing tax preparation services that go beyond filing end-of-year tax returns. We assist in year-round financial planning, resolve tax issues from previous years, and create sound financial solutions for our clients.
Can I deduct tax preparation fees in NC?
In some cases, you can deduct tax preparation fees. A self-employed individual can deduct tax fees in North Carolina, but an individual employed by another party cannot deduct tax preparation fees.
What’s the difference between a tax deduction and a tax credit?
A tax deduction can reduce your taxable income and increase your tax return. Mortgage interest and student loan interest are a couple of examples of taxable income. Child tax credit, on the other hand, gives you a certain amount of money off your tax bill. Earned income and child care are two examples of tax credits in which you may receive a deduction on your tax bill.
What are the penalties for filing your taxes late in North Carolina?
North Carolina charges you if your taxes are not filed on time. This monetary penalty ranges from 5-25% per month of the total tax that is reported on that return.
Can your tax planners help me with an IRS audit?
Yes, our Chapel Hill CPAs are experienced with IRS audits and can help you resolve current or previous tax issues you may have encountered with the IRS. Contact our office at (919) 872-0866 to see how we can help you.