Steward Ingram & Cooper, PLLC provides tax planning and preparation for businesses, individuals, estates, and nonprofits from our Morrisville office, minutes from downtown Raleigh, Cary, and Wake Forest. Since 2000, our CPAs have built a client base weighted toward Wake County business owners, from early-stage startups to established firms with multi-entity structures.
Our Tax Preparation Services
Our tax preparation services go beyond filing end-of-year tax returns. We generate monthly financial statements and assist with unresolved tax issues from previous years to help you navigate tax season. Growing and established businesses are the core of our practice, and it shows in the guidance below.
Business Taxes
From early-stage startups to established LLCs and corporations, we prepare and file business taxes for companies across Raleigh, Cary, and the broader Wake County market. Our CPAs identify tax breaks specific to your entity type and industry, whether you run a professional services firm, a medical or dental practice, a restaurant, or a growing technology company near Research Triangle Park, so you spend less time on tax season and more time running your business.
Personal Taxes
Our tax services are highly customized, and we primarily work with Raleigh-area individuals who have complex tax issues, including multi-state returns, foreign taxes, offshore accounts, stock options, and tax-deferred exchanges. Our fees reflect the time and attention devoted to your return, making this a fit for high-net-worth individuals with layered tax situations.
Estates and Trusts
To help you avoid tax penalties, our CPAs identify and itemize estates and trusts while preparing your return. Our goal is the best possible outcome while properly reporting income received from an estate or trust in the current tax year.
Nonprofit Filing
Most nonprofits do not pay taxes, but you still need to file a return to maintain your tax-exempt status. We prepare Form 990 for Raleigh and Wake County nonprofits so you can share accurate documentation with your board and donors.
Why Raleigh Businesses Trust Our CPAs
Steward Ingram & Cooper, PLLC has prepared tax returns for Raleigh-area businesses and individuals since 2000. Our team includes CPAs, a certified fraud examiner, and certified personal financial specialists, led by Managing Member Jeffrey C. Cooper, CPA. Every return is prepared in-house by a licensed North Carolina CPA, not outsourced or automated, and our team stays involved in the local community through organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the Food Bank of Eastern and Central NC.
Tax Planning & Preparation: Frequently Asked Questions
What is tax planning?
Tax planning is reviewing your finances and taking steps that maximize eligible tax deductions and minimize your tax payments at the state and federal levels.
What types of tax planning services do you provide?
We prepare and file business taxes and complex individual taxes (i.e. off-shore bank accounts, multi-state returns, and those with company stock options). We also prepare taxes for nonprofits and those with estates or trusts.
What can working with a tax preparer do for me?
At Steward, Ingram & Cooper, PLLC, our tax preparers are available to generate monthly financial statements and maintain your revenue and expenses with a goal of making tax filing season more manageable for you.
We resolve tax issues, navigate audits, and look for deductions and credits you can claim.
Can I deduct tax preparation fees in NC?
In some cases, you can deduct tax preparation fees, but this deduction is not for everyone. For example, you cannot deduct tax fees on personal returns. However, if you are self-employed, this expense is considered an “ordinary necessity” and can therefore be deducted.
What’s the difference between a tax deduction and a tax credit?
A tax deduction reduces your taxable income and thus, reduces how much of your income can be taxed. Mortgage interest and student loan interest are deductions that would reduce your taxable income.
A tax credit gives you a specific amount off of your tax bill. The child tax credit is $2,000 per child under the age of 17 who you claim as a dependent, thus, no matter how much your taxable income is, you will immediately pay $2,000 fewer dollars in taxes for each child under 17.
Are there penalties for late tax filing in North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina charges a penalty of 5% per month, or partial month, up to a maximum of 25% of the total tax that is reported on that return. The state also charges a late payment penalty that is equal to 10% of the tax that is unpaid. The 10% penalty is going to drop from a flat 10% to a graduated penalty starting in 2023.
Can your tax planners help me with an IRS audit?
Yes, our tax planning services can be extended to help you resolve tax issues, including an IRS audit. If you need to untangle an IRS problem or want to ensure future financial security, we can help.