Your first consultation with AE Tax Advisors is an opportunity to explore whether strategic tax planning is right for you. We don't try to sell anything. Instead, we listen, learn, and determine if we can deliver real value.
How the Consultation Process Works
Step 1: Discovery Call (30 minutes, complimentary). We discuss your income sources, business interests, real estate holdings, and current tax situation. No documents required.
Step 2: Preliminary Assessment. If there's opportunity, we explain what comprehensive tax planning involves, timeline, and investment (typically $5,000-15,000 depending on complexity).
Step 3: Documentation Review (if you proceed). You gather tax returns, business financial statements, real estate documents, and investment statements. We conduct a 3-Year Tax Lookback to identify missed deductions, credits, and planning opportunities.
Step 4: Strategic Tax Plan Development (6-8 weeks). We analyze your situation comprehensively and develop a written tax strategy document including entity restructuring recommendations, depreciation analysis, retirement contribution strategies, and estimated tax projections.
Step 5: Presentation Meeting. We present the plan, walk through recommendations, and answer questions.
What You Should Prepare
Have this information readily available: Your 2023 tax return, a quick summary of income sources (W-2, business, rental, investments), any real estate holdings (acquisition price, current value, debt), and estimated 2024 income.
The Questions We Always Ask
1. "What's your total annual household income?" This tells us if you're in a planning sweet spot. We typically work with clients earning $300,000+.
2. "Do you have significant non-wage income?" If your W-2 is $200,000 but you own a business or rental real estate, planning becomes much more valuable.
3. "What's your biggest tax frustration?" This reveals whether you're currently seeing a CPA, what you're paying, and whether the current strategy is adequate.
4. "Have you had an audit or IRS contact?" If so, we can help prevent a repeat.
5. "Are you planning any major life changes?" Business sale, acquisition, real estate disposition, or retirement create tax planning opportunities.
Red Flags That Lead Us to Decline
We occasionally decline clients: No room for planning (if you earn $200,000 W-2 with no business/rental properties, planning might yield only $2,000-5,000 annually). Unwillingness to comply with tax law. Lack of documentation. Unrealistic expectations.
After the Discovery Call
Within 48 hours, you'll receive an email with next steps. If we move forward, you'll receive our engagement letter (outlining scope, fees, timeline, deliverables), document request list, security policies, and invoicing details (typically 50% upfront, 50% upon delivery).
Your Investment
Fees typically range from $5,000-15,000 for comprehensive strategic tax plan. This varies by complexity: Simple situation (W-2 income only, rental property): $5,000-7,000. Moderate (W-2 + business, multiple rentals): $8,000-12,000. High complexity (multiple businesses, real estate portfolio, international income): $15,000-25,000+.
What You'll Leave Knowing
After the discovery call, you'll understand: whether strategic tax planning makes financial sense for your situation, what kind of tax savings we think are achievable (realistic range), what the planning process involves (timeline, deliverables, investment), and whether we're the right firm for your needs.