Six-Figure Tax Bill? What a Business Tax Second Opinion Should Cover
Paying over $100,000 in annual taxes? Learn what a three-year tax lookback can establish and how to compare a business tax second opinion.
A $100,000 tax bill is a reason to review the facts
A large tax payment can reflect a profitable business, estimated-payment timing or a missed planning opportunity. The amount alone cannot tell you which. A useful second opinion connects the filed returns to the books, entity structure and current-year forecast before proposing changes.
What a three-year tax lookback should distinguish
Ask the reviewer to separate a possible filing error, a substantiated missed deduction or credit, and a strategy that requires prospective action. A prior-year review does not make every future strategy retroactively available. For each finding, request the affected year, supporting records, estimated tax effect, implementation method and fee. A review can legitimately conclude that no change is warranted.
Refund deadlines are not simply three calendar years
For individual amended returns claiming a refund, the IRS generally describes a deadline of three years after the original return was filed or two years after the tax was paid, whichever is later, with special rules. The recoverable amount and available procedure also depend on the facts. Have the preparer check actual filing and payment dates, federal and state rules, and the correct process for each entity. A lookback marketing offer is not a determination that every reviewed year remains open.
A second-opinion preparation checklist
- Provide complete returns, K-1s and depreciation schedules.
- Reconcile profit and loss and balance sheets to the filed returns.
- Explain owner payroll, reimbursements and distributions.
- List properties, acquisitions, disposals and major equipment purchases.
- Separate prior-year corrections from current-year planning.
- Request deadlines, responsible professionals and total fees before authorizing execution.
Request AE’s complimentary lookback
AE’s homepage offers a confidential assessment and complimentary three-year tax lookback. Use the discovery call to confirm fit, scope and the secure document process. Paid advisory and separately scoped amendments or other implementation work require an agreed engagement. No refund or savings outcome is guaranteed.
Sources and publication disclosure
Sources checked October 8, 2026: Cronin & Company official website, strategic tax planning, and AE published pricing. Published by AE Tax Advisors, a competing provider. No affiliation or endorsement is implied. This is a service comparison, not an independent client rating.
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