Frequently Asked Questions

At PBG Advisors, we take a proactive and strategic approach to taxes. While many accounting firms focus primarily on preparing tax returns, our goal is to help clients understand and optimize their tax position over time, not just file forms once a year.

Our team of CPAs and accountants works closely with individuals and business owners to provide accurate tax preparation, thoughtful tax planning, and practical financial guidance. We believe the best outcomes come from long-term relationships, where we understand our clients’ businesses, goals, and evolving financial situations.

In addition to tax compliance, we help clients identify opportunities for tax optimization, strategic planning, and informed financial decisions, all while ensuring they remain compliant with ever-changing tax laws.

Taxes may be complex, but good advice should make them clearer. Our goal is to provide that clarity so clients can move forward with greater confidence and peace of mind.

If you’re looking for a CPA firm that values thoughtful guidance and long-term partnership, we would be happy to start a conversation.

Read more: Common Tax Problems We Help Clients Solve

The terms CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and accountant are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same.

An accountant is a general term for a professional who works with financial records, bookkeeping, reporting, and tax preparation. Many accountants are highly skilled and experienced, but the title itself does not require a specific license.

A CPA, on the other hand, is an accountant who has earned a state license by meeting rigorous education requirements, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and maintaining ongoing continuing education. CPAs are held to strict professional and ethical standards and are licensed to perform services such as representing clients before the IRS, conducting audits, and providing specialized tax and financial advisory services.

In practical terms, both accountants and CPAs may prepare tax returns. However, a CPA designation signals a higher level of credentialing, regulatory oversight, and professional training, which can be particularly valuable when dealing with complex tax situations, business ownership, or strategic financial planning.

For individuals and businesses with more involved tax needs, working with a CPA often provides an additional level of expertise and accountability.

Read more: CPA vs Accountant: Why Working with a CPA Matters for Tax Planning

Yes. While our office is based in Colorado, we work with clients across the country. Modern tax advisory no longer requires sitting across a desk from your CPA. Through our secure client portal, encrypted document sharing, and video meetings, we provide a seamless remote experience for tax preparation and proactive tax planning.

Many of our clients seek us out specifically because of our strategic tax advisory approach—not simply because of geography. Our systems allow us to deliver the same level of service, insight, and tax optimization whether you are down the street or across the country.

Think of it as having a trusted tax advisor in your corner—without needing to fight traffic to get there.

Working with our firm remotely is designed to be simple, efficient, and secure.

We provide two levels of service: tax maintenance (compliance) and tax advisory (planning).

Tax maintenance focuses on preparing and filing your tax returns accurately and on time. Clients upload documents through our encrypted client portal, where our team reviews the information and prepares your return. If questions arise during the preparation process, we may schedule a quick call or video meeting to clarify details and ensure everything is reported correctly.

For clients seeking additional tax advisory, we offer separate planning engagements that go beyond basic compliance. These meetings involve reviewing financials in greater detail and discussing strategies that may help optimize taxes and improve long-term financial outcomes. Advisory services are provided as an additional service beyond standard tax preparation.

Once your return is complete, you review and sign electronically, and we file everything securely on your behalf.

Our streamlined systems allow you to spend less time chasing paperwork and more time focusing on your business, career, or life—while knowing your tax matters are being handled thoughtfully and professionally.

Yes, we provide both tax preparation (compliance) and tax advisory (planning) services, though they are structured as separate levels of service.

Our tax preparation, which we refer to as tax maintenance, focuses on preparing and filing your tax returns accurately and on time. This includes reviewing your documents, preparing the return, and ensuring compliance with federal and state tax requirements.

For clients who want a more proactive approach, we offer tax advisory services as an additional engagement. Advisory meetings involve reviewing financials in greater detail and discussing strategies that may help optimize taxes, improve long-term financial outcomes, and identify planning opportunities for future years.

In short, tax preparation ensures everything is filed correctly. Tax advisory focuses on improving the results going forward.

Some clients begin with tax preparation and later add advisory once they see the value of more strategic planning.

Read more about our Tax Advisory (Planning) and Tax Preparation (Maintenance/Compliance) Services

We work with individuals and businesses who value thoughtful tax strategy and and need experienced, professional guidance from a CPA.

Our clients often include business owners, entrepreneurs, real estate investors, medical and other high-income professionals whose tax situations require more than basic preparation.

Many come to us after realizing that tax software or transactional tax preparation does not provide the planning insight they need.

Our goal is to serve clients who want an advisor—not just a form-filer—someone who can help them understand opportunities, navigate complexity, and make smarter tax decisions over time.

Read more: Who We Serve & Industries We Specialize In 

Our firm works with a wide range of clients, we frequently advise business owners, entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and professionals with complex tax situations.

These clients often benefit the most from proactive tax planning and strategic guidance.

Each industry has unique considerations—from entity structure to deduction opportunities—and our experience allows us to help clients navigate those nuances effectively.

We have specific experience and expertise in the following:

• Business owners

• Medical professionals and healthcare providers

• Attorneys and law firm partners

• Corporate executives and high-income professionals

• Veterinarians and veterinary practice owners

• Real estate investors and developers

• Entrepreneurs and startup founders

• Families and individuals planning for long-term financial stability

While tax laws apply broadly, the best strategies are rarely one-size-fits-all. Our approach focuses on understanding each client’s situation and identifying thoughtful ways to optimize their tax position.

Please reach out to find out if we are a good fit for your business, even if it is not listed above.

Read more: Who We Serve & Industries We Specialize In

Getting started is straightforward.

We begin with an introductory conversation to understand your situation, goals, and whether our firm is a good fit for your needs. From there, we schedule a meeting to get to know you and for you to meet the CPA you’ll be working with. Our Client Service Specialists will walk you through our simple systems and processes. We guide you through our onboarding process, including secure document sharing and gathering the information necessary to begin your tax preparation or planning work.

Our goal is to make the transition smooth and organized so you feel confident that your tax matters are in capable hands.

And while taxes may never be anyone’s favorite topic, we aim to make the process far more manageable—and occasionally, dare I say, even enjoyable.

We serve all states. While our office is based in Colorado, we work with clients across the United States. Our secure systems and remote processes allow us to provide the same level of service whether you are local or located in another state.

We regularly prepare federal and state tax returns, including multi-state filings for individuals and businesses who earn income, own property, or operate in more than one state. Multi-state tax situations can become complex quickly, and part of our role is helping clients understand their filing requirements and ensuring returns are prepared accurately.

In addition to tax preparation, we also provide remote advisory services for clients who want strategic guidance on tax planning and financial decisions throughout the year. These meetings can be conducted by phone or video, allowing us to review financials and discuss potential tax optimization strategies regardless of location.

Our goal is to make working with a trusted tax advisor simple and seamless—no matter where you live or do business.

We’d love to work with you!

Getting started is simple—just give us a call, and one of our Client Service Specialists will take the time to learn more about your situation and determine if we’re the right fit for your needs.

If it’s a good match, we’ll send you a personalized document request outlining exactly what we need, so there’s no guesswork on your end. You’ll also receive access to your secure client portal, where you can easily upload your documents and communicate with our team. From there, we’ll take care of the rest and guide you through each step of the process.

You can reach out to us at any time of year to get started with tax preparation or advisory—we’re always happy to help.

That said, the most valuable time to engage a CPA is before tax season, while there’s still time to plan—ideally during the summer or fall. The earlier we begin working together, the more opportunities we have to review your financials, identify strategies, and make meaningful decisions that can positively impact your tax situation.

In short, early engagement allows us to be proactive—not just reactive—so you’re not simply reporting the past, but actively improving your outcome.

Yes—we do accept new clients during tax season and would love to work with you.

That said, summer or fall is the optimal time to get started. Tax season is our busiest time of year, and the earlier we begin working together, the more opportunities we have to review your financials, identify strategies, and make meaningful decisions that can positively impact your tax situation.

Our goal is to provide responsive communication and high-quality service to every client. If you’re interested in proactive tax planning and advisory, the more time we have to understand your situation and implement strategies, the greater the potential impact we can make.

We provide both tax preparation (compliance) and tax planning (advisory) services, though they are structured as separate levels of service.

Our tax preparation, which we refer to as tax maintenance, focuses on preparing and filing your tax returns accurately and on time. This includes reviewing your documents, preparing the return, and ensuring compliance with federal and state tax requirements.

For clients who want a more proactive approach, we offer tax advisory services as an additional engagement. Advisory meetings involve reviewing financials in greater detail and discussing strategies that may help optimize taxes, improve long-term financial outcomes, and identify planning opportunities for future years.

In short, tax preparation ensures everything is filed correctly. Tax advisory focuses on improving the results going forward.

Some clients begin with tax preparation and later add advisory once they see the value of more strategic planning.

Read more about our Tax Planning and Tax Preparation Services

Tax software can be useful for straightforward situations, but many people reach a point where professional guidance becomes valuable.

If you own a business, invest in real estate, have multiple income sources, or want proactive tax planning advice, a CPA can help identify opportunities that software simply cannot.

A qualified advisor can also help you avoid costly mistakes and make strategic decisions that impact future tax years.

In other words, tax software is designed to calculate numbers. A CPA helps interpret those numbers and guide better decisions around them.

What is the difference between a CPA and an accountant? 

Proactive tax planning focuses on identifying legal strategies that improve your tax position before the year ends. The best time to engage our services for tax planning (tax advisory) is in the summer and fall.

This may involve evaluating business structures, optimizing deductions, timing income and expenses, retirement contributions, and taking advantage of available credits or planning opportunities. If you own property, a cost segregation study could be just what you need to save money on taxes, call us or check out our affiliate, keystonecostseg.com, for more information.

Small strategic decisions made throughout the year can often have a meaningful impact when tax time arrives.

Our role is to help clients understand these opportunities and apply thoughtful strategies that align with their broader financial goals.

Because the best time to reduce taxes is rarely April—it is the year before.

Read more: How Business Owners Can Reduce Taxes through Strategic Tax Planning

There are a number of tax strategies that may help business owners reduce their overall tax burden, but the right approach depends on the structure of the business and the owner’s financial situation.

Common strategies can include evaluating entity structure (such as S-Corporations), optimizing deductions, timing income and expenses, retirement contributions, and properly documenting business expenses. Business owners may also benefit from strategies involving home office deductions, accountable plans, depreciation of equipment, and tax credits where applicable.

The most effective strategies typically come from proactive tax planning during the year, rather than waiting until tax season when most decisions are already finalized.

Our goal is to help business owners understand their options and apply thoughtful strategies that support both tax efficiency and long-term financial goals. Call us today to find out how we can help you discover the best tax strategies for your situation.

Read: Tax Strategies to Help Business Owners Lower Taxes

The timeline for tax preparation depends on the complexity of the return and how quickly all necessary information is provided.

For many individual returns, preparation may take a few weeks once all documents have been received. More complex returns—such as those involving businesses, real estate investments, or multi-state filings—may take additional time due to the detailed review required.

Our process begins once all requested documents are uploaded to our secure client portal. From there, our team reviews the information, prepares the return, and follows up with any questions before finalizing the filing.

In some cases, particularly when information arrives closer to the filing deadline or when additional review is beneficial, we may recommend filing a tax extension. Extensions are a normal and common part of the tax process and simply provide additional time to ensure your return is prepared accurately and thoughtfully. It’s important to remember that an extension applies to the filing deadline, not the payment deadline, but it allows us to complete the work carefully rather than rushing complex returns.

We aim to complete returns efficiently while ensuring accuracy and thoughtful review—because when it comes to taxes, getting it right is far more important than rushing it.

Tax planning is most effective before the end of the year because many tax-saving opportunities depend on decisions that must be made while the year is still in progress. Once December 31 passes, most of those opportunities are no longer available, and the focus shifts to reporting what has already happened rather than improving the outcome.

Planning ahead allows time to evaluate strategies such as timing income or expenses, retirement contributions, business deductions, entity structure decisions, and potential tax credits. These types of decisions can have a meaningful impact on the final tax result, but they require time to implement properly.

In other words, tax preparation looks backward, while tax planning looks forward. By reviewing financials before year-end, we can identify opportunities and help clients make informed decisions that may reduce surprises and improve their overall tax position.

Read about our strategic business advisory services. 

The IRS allows you to make monthly installment payments to pay the taxes you owe if you aren’t able to pay your federal tax liability in a single payment. Late payment penalties and interest will still apply, but the installment payment plan can reduce the failure-to-pay penalties. You can set up a payment plan with the IRS by visiting the following website and submitting an application:

https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application

Most states also allow installment payment plans for state tax obligations, but the specific rules and application process are different for each state.

There are a few small things that you can do that can help keep your final bill down.  First, we need all files to be in pdf format.  When you upload files in any format other than pdf (such as photo files from taking a picture of your documents), it takes our team extra time to convert all those files to pdf.  Sending us your files in pdf format means that we won’t need to spend extra time individually converting your files. View the video below to learn how to convert any files from your computer or iPhone into pdf format.

Also, while you are always welcome to send us files at any time, gathering all your tax documents along with your completed tax organizer and sending them to us at the same time will reduce the amount of “touches” we need to make with your file, and that efficiency can translate on your final bill.  Lastly, responding promptly and thoroughly to us when we email or call will help keep your bill down.  The more often we must reach out to you for information, the more time we spend on your tax return preparation.  Responding promptly to us will decrease your turnaround time and your final bill.

To see the remaining amount due on your invoice, open the invoice by using the “click to pay” button and from there you will see any payments or credits that were applied to your invoice, as well as the remaining amount due.

We are always so excited to return tax documents to our clients!  If you dropped off paper documents with us, please stop by our office after your tax return is complete and we can quickly return your items to you.

The documents you need to send us varies based on your individual needs. To help you figure out what to send us please visit this comprehensive list of documents needed for your individual tax return preparation or watch the video below.

Please visit https://pbgadvisors.com/convert-to-pdf/ or watch this video tutorial to learn how convert any file to PDF from your PC, Mac, or iPhone.

Please read here to learn what a 1099 form is and when to file it: https://pbgadvisors.com/what-is-form-1099/

Please watch the video below for a quick, helpful guide on 1099s.