Tax Preparation Services for Individuals and Businesses

Our tax preparation services cover federal and state returns for individuals and businesses. We prepare and file your returns, report your income, and claim the deductions and credits you qualify for. As a CPA firm with offices in Utah, we work with clients statewide and nationwide.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Start with a free 30-minute conversation about your needs, our services, and costs.

Our Tax Preparation Services

Individual Tax Preparation

Your return may involve wages, self-employment earnings, investment income, or retirement distributions. We prepare your personal federal and state income tax returns. A new job, a move, a marriage, or a change in income can affect your return, so we review what changed this year instead of repeating last year’s approach.

Business Tax Preparation

We prepare returns for S corporations, C corporations, partnerships, and LLCs. An LLC can be taxed as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a corporation, so we prepare its return based on its tax classification. For owners, we also look at how the business return carries through to your personal return.

Estate, Trust, and Gift Tax Returns

We assist with tax returns involving estates, trusts, and gifts. These filings have requirements that differ from an individual income tax return, so it helps to identify the work needed early. We prepare the returns but don’t draft trusts, wills, or other legal documents. For decisions about transferring assets or business ownership, explore our estate and succession planning services.

Nonprofit Tax Returns

We help nonprofit organizations prepare annual filings, including Form 990. We also help new organizations apply for tax-exempt status. Which version of Form 990 you file depends on your organization’s size and type, and we’ll confirm what yours needs.

How Our Tax Preparation Works

Discuss Your Filing Needs

We start by confirming which returns you need and the applicable deadlines. This sets the scope of your engagement.
Gather Your Tax Information

We tell you which records we need for your returns. You can send them through our secure client portal or by dropping them off, and we’ll follow up on any questions or gaps.
Prepare Your Returns

We prepare your returns from the records you’ve provided and reach out if anything is unclear before we finish.
Review the Returns With You

We walk you through the results, including any balance due or refund, and answer your questions before we file anything.
Complete the Filing Process

We explain what’s left to finalize, including any signatures or authorizations, and what you need to do next.

What to Provide for Tax Preparation

The records you need depend on your return. They may include:

Prior-year tax returns.
Income documents, such as Form W-2, applicable Forms 1099, and Schedules K-1.
Receipts and records that support your deductions and credits.
Estimated tax payment and withholding information.
Business financial statements, such as a profit and loss statement and balance sheet, where applicable.

If you’re unsure whether a document matters, ask before leaving it out.

Need Help With an IRS or State Audit?

We provide representation for IRS and state tax audits. This is separate from preparing your return, so if you’ve received an audit notice, contact us to talk through what the agency is asking for and the help you need.

Need Tax Planning Before Your Next Financial Decision?

Tax preparation reports what happened during the tax year. If you’re considering a decision that could affect future taxes, a tax planning engagement can help you evaluate your options before you act. We bill planning separately from tax preparation. If we’ve done your planning, it’s usually more efficient to have us prepare your return too, since we already know the plan and the reasoning behind it.

Why Work With CMP for Tax Preparation?

CMP has served clients for more than 45 years, and our team brings more than 250 years of combined tax, accounting, and CFO experience. That breadth matters when a question about your return connects to your business records, payroll, or other financial responsibilities.

We take time to understand your circumstances and explain tax matters in terms you can use. You should feel comfortable asking what a result means, raising a concern, or telling us about a change that might affect your filing.

If your business needs help maintaining its records, our bookkeeping and payroll team can assist. That way, the same firm handles the records behind your return and the return itself.

“[CMP] has been doing our taxes since 2005. They have never missed a beat.”

Randy Bliss, excerpt from a client review

Meet Our Tax Team

Everyone on our tax team specializes in income tax. Meet our team to learn about their backgrounds and experience.

Serving Clients Nationwide from Our Logan, Layton, and St. George Offices

Our offices in Logan, Layton, and St. George work with individuals and businesses throughout Utah and across the country. In Utah, that includes clients in communities such as Providence, Smithfield, Bountiful, Ogden, Washington, and Hurricane.

You don’t need to live near an office to work with us. Our remote services let you get help with your tax preparation wherever you’re based.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tax Preparation

How much does tax preparation cost?

The cost depends on the work your return requires. Factors can include the forms and schedules involved, the condition of your records, and the number of filings needed. During your free consultation, we’ll talk through the scope of your return and what it’s likely to cost.

Is a CPA better than a tax preparer?

A CPA is a licensed professional who must meet education, examination, experience, and ongoing professional requirements. “Tax preparer” is a broader term covering different qualifications. CPAs, enrolled agents, and attorneys can represent any client before the IRS on any tax matter. Enrolled agents and other qualified preparers can also provide valuable help. If you’re weighing the benefits of hiring a CPA, look at their tax experience and whether their services fit your needs.

Can I file my business taxes myself?

You can prepare your own business return, but think about how comfortable you are with the filing requirements and whether your records are complete. Professional help may be useful when ownership arrangements, accounting issues, or unfamiliar tax rules make the return difficult to handle confidently.

Is there a penalty for filing an extension on taxes?

Filing Form 4868 for an individual return, or Form 7004 for most business returns, by the original deadline generally gives you more time to file, but it doesn’t extend the payment deadline. Unpaid tax may still accrue interest and penalties. State extension requirements can differ, so check the rules for each return you need to file.

What if I discover a mistake after filing my return?

Whether you need an amended tax return depends on the mistake. Changes to income, filing status, deductions, or credits may require a correction, while the IRS may correct certain math errors on its own. Review what changed before submitting an amendment, and keep in mind that a federal change can affect your state return too.

Work With Our Tax Preparation Team

Need help with your personal or business tax return? Let’s talk about what you need. Tax advice tailored to your situation starts once you decide to work with us.