Tax preparation is the process of organizing your income, deductions, and credits and turning them into the federal (IRS) and North Carolina state tax returns you're required to file each year. E-filing simply means we send those returns to the government electronically instead of mailing paper — it's faster, safer, and the IRS usually issues refunds in about 21 days. At Rodriguez Accounting we handle the whole thing for you, in English or Spanish, with no surprises.
Why Accurate Tax Prep Matters
A tax return isn't just paperwork — it decides how much you owe, how big your refund is, and whether the IRS or NC Department of Revenue ever comes back asking questions. Small mistakes can cost real money.
- Missed credits (like the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Credit) can cost families thousands of dollars they're entitled to.
- Filing late or with errors can trigger penalties, interest, and IRS letters that take months to clear up.
- A return prepared right the first time gets you your refund faster and protects you if you're ever audited.
How Our Tax Prep Process Works
1. Free phone or in-person consultation
We talk through your situation — job, family, side income, home — and tell you exactly what documents to bring.
2. Document drop-off (in person, email, or secure upload)
Bring your W-2s, 1099s, mortgage interest, daycare receipts, and ID. We'll give you a simple checklist.
3. Ada prepares your return
Ada personally reviews every line, looks for every credit and deduction you qualify for, and explains anything that's unclear.
4. Review together & e-file
You'll see the numbers before we file. Once you approve, we e-file with the IRS and NC and give you copies for your records.
5. Refund tracking & year-round support
We help you track your refund and answer questions all year — not just in April.
Common Tax-Prep Mistakes We See
Over 20 years in Warsaw we've seen the same avoidable errors over and over. Here are the big ones:
- Forgetting side income (DoorDash, Cash App, side jobs) — the IRS gets a copy and will notice.
- Claiming the wrong filing status, especially after divorce, separation, or a new baby.
- Missing the Earned Income Tax Credit or NC child deduction.
- Using last year's password or AGI when e-filing, which causes rejections.
- Throwing away receipts for daycare, medical, or charitable donations.
- Filing without an ITIN when a spouse or dependent needs one.
Who Should Use a Tax Preparer?
Almost anyone benefits, but professional prep especially helps:
Key Terms, Explained Simply
- W-2
- The form your employer sends showing how much you earned and how much tax was withheld.
- 1099
- Forms for non-employee income — contract work, interest, dividends, retirement, or gig apps.
- E-filing
- Sending your tax return to the IRS electronically. Faster, safer, and gets refunds quicker than paper.
- Refund
- Money back when you paid more tax during the year than you actually owed.
- Deduction
- An expense that lowers your taxable income (like mortgage interest).
- Credit
- A dollar-for-dollar reduction in the tax you owe — usually more powerful than a deduction.
- ITIN
- Individual Taxpayer Identification Number — used by people who need to file but don't qualify for an SSN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Talk With a Bilingual Local Accountant
Free consultation. No obligation. Whether you prefer English or Español, Ada will personally walk you through your options — and what it would cost — before any work begins.