Tax done right, once a year and every quarter in between.

Deadlines shown assume calendar-year filers. Fiscal-year filers get an entity-specific schedule at engagement. Quarterly federal estimated-tax deadlines (April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year) are tracked separately in your engagement calendar.

1. 1

   Intro call and scoping

   We start with a 30-minute intro call to understand your entity structure, states of activity, prior-year complications, and what you actually need done. You get a fixed-fee proposal within 48 hours — no per-question billing, no surprise add-ons.

2. 2

   Document collection through a secure portal

   You upload prior-year returns, current-year books, K-1s, brokerage 1099s, closing statements, and any letters from the IRS or state. We send a specific checklist for your entity type instead of a generic organizer.

3. 3

   Draft prepared by a preparer, then reviewed by a CPA

   A preparer builds the return in professional tax software (not the DIY tools), reconciles it to your books, and applies planning positions we discussed at scoping. A licensed CPA — Aparna Devalla — then reviews and signs every filing.

4. 4

   Review meeting before we file

   We schedule a working session to walk through the return, show you where the numbers came from, explain any planning opportunities for next year, and confirm the estimated-tax plan. Nothing goes to the IRS without your sign-off.

5. 5

   E-file, confirmations, and year-round follow-up

   We e-file the return, send you copies of every acceptance confirmation, and calendar the next set of deadlines (quarterly estimates, extensions, sales-tax filings). If a notice lands, we handle the response — it's included, not an extra fee.

See the full library on the calculators page.

Which tax returns do you file?

We file federal and state returns for S-corporations (1120-S), partnerships and multi-member LLCs (1065), C-corporations (1120), single-member LLCs and sole proprietors (Schedule C on 1040), individuals (1040), estates and trusts (1041), and nonprofits (990). We also handle information returns for foreign-owned entities (5471/5472/8865) and foreign-account reporting for individuals (FBAR/8938).

How much does a small business tax return cost?

Rubric Financial engagements are fixed-fee, quoted after a scoping call. Business returns typically start at $1,500 for a straightforward single-state S-corp or LLC and scale with entity count, state count, K-1 volume, and cleanup work. Personal returns start at $650 for a straightforward owner's 1040 and scale with equity comp, K-1s, and multi-state complexity. We quote in writing before starting.

Do I need a CPA or is a tax preparer enough?

A licensed CPA carries state-board oversight, continuing-education requirements, and personal accountability for the position taken on your return. That matters most when the return involves an entity election (S-corp, partnership), K-1s, multi-state activity, equity compensation, cross-border reporting, or a prior-year notice. For a simple W-2 return, a preparer is often enough. Every return we file — business or personal — is signed by Aparna Devalla, CPA.

Can you catch up on prior-year returns that were never filed?

Yes. We handle back-year returns for individuals and entities, coordinate voluntary disclosures where the exposure warrants it, respond to any IRS or state notices already issued, and put you back on a normal filing calendar. Cleanup is scoped separately from ongoing tax work so the fee is transparent.

Do you handle multi-state filings and nexus questions?

Yes. Remote employees, out-of-state customers, drop-shipping arrangements, and rental property all create state-tax obligations. We review your operating footprint annually, register your entity in additional states as needed, apportion income across states, and file every required return. We also handle economic-nexus sales-tax registration and monthly filings for e-commerce and SaaS sellers.

Do you handle equity compensation on personal returns?

Yes. ISO exercises and AMT, disqualifying dispositions of ISOs and ESPP, NSO exercises and ordinary-income reporting, RSU vesting and cost-basis correction, 83(b) elections, and coordinated withholding review are all handled on the personal side. We plan the sale year at intake instead of catching it at filing.

Do you handle US–India cross-border tax?

Yes — it's a specialty. We file FBAR (FinCEN 114) and Form 8938 on Indian accounts, run PFIC analysis and Form 8621 on Indian mutual funds, prepare Form 5471/8865 for U.S. owners of Indian entities, take treaty positions where they apply, and coordinate with your Indian-side CA so the India ITR and U.S. 1040 line up. Returning NRI / RNOR transition planning and §877A exit-tax review are also handled.

What if I already have a CPA — do I have to switch?

Not unless you want to. Many clients start with just personal tax, or just the business return, and expand from there. If you have a working relationship you like, we can also just handle the piece your current CPA doesn't (multi-state, valuation, cross-border, FP&A) and stay coordinated.

Is this the right firm for a VC-backed startup?

No. Rubric Financial is purpose-built for owner-led small businesses and high-income individuals. If you are venture-backed and need R&D credit studies, QSBS planning, 409A coordination, cap-table workflows, and board-pack reporting, use our sister practice, StartupCFO.AI — same firm, same partners, tooling and workflows optimized for venture-scale startups.