Tax Advisory Services
Tax preparation tells you what happened. Tax advisory shapes what happens next.
Most business owners only think about taxes in April. By then, the opportunities for that year are gone. Our Tax Advisory program shifts that relationship. We work with you year-round to proactively manage your tax position, identify strategies before deadlines pass, and ensure you keep more of what you earn.
Tax advisory is year-round strategic tax planning where a CPA works proactively to minimize your tax burden before it happens. Unlike annual tax preparation (compliance filing), advisory includes quarterly projections, strategy recommendations, and ongoing optimization. Tax advisory typically starts at $300/month and can deliver 3-10x ROI for business owners with $150K+ revenue through strategies like reasonable compensation optimization, QBI maximization, and retirement contribution timing.
Is Tax Advisory Right for You?
This is for you if:
- Own an S-corporation, partnership, or high-earning sole proprietorship
- Generate $150K-$500K+ in annual business income
- Want proactive tax planning, not just reactive filing
- Value a long-term strategic relationship
- Tired of being surprised by your tax bill
This might not be the right fit if:
- You’re primarily looking for the lowest-cost filing option
- Your tax situation is straightforward with limited planning opportunities
- You prefer to handle tax strategy yourself
If you’re looking for straightforward filing without ongoing advisory, see our tax preparation services.
Tax Strategies Advisory Can Identify
These are examples of common opportunities. Results vary based on your specific situation.
S-Corp Reasonable Compensation
S-corp owner paying $120K salary. After formal analysis using industry data, $90K meets the reasonable compensation standard.
Augusta Rule Home Rental
Business rents owner’s home for legitimate meetings up to 14 days/year at fair market value under IRC Section 280A(g).
Cost Segregation Study
$800K commercial property purchase. Engineering study identifies components qualifying for accelerated depreciation.
Retirement Contribution Optimization
S-corp owner making standard 401(k) deferrals discovers additional profit-sharing contributions up to 25% of W-2.
QBI Deduction Optimization
Partnership structures activities to maximize each partner’s Section 199A qualified business income deduction.
Quarterly Payment Adjustment
Strong Q1 but lower Q2-Q4 expected. Advisory catches the change and adjusts estimated payments.
Advisory Tiers
Choose the level of support that matches your needs. All tiers require a tax preparation engagement (priced separately with advisory client discounts).
Tier 1
Tax Strategy Essentials
$300/month
or $3,240/year (save 10%)
Best for: S-corp or partnership owners with straightforward situations and income of $150K-$300K who want foundational planning without frequent touchpoints.
- Annual Tax Strategy Session (60-90 min, Q3/Q4)
- Year-end tax projection with optimization recommendations
- Quarterly estimated payment calculations with reminders
- S-corp reasonable compensation review (advisory guidance)
- QBI Section 199A optimization check
- Retirement contribution timing recommendations
- Email support (3-5 business day response)
- Quarterly tax law update summaries
Tier 2
Tax Strategy Plus
$600/month
or $6,480/year (save 10%)
Best for: Growing business owners with income of $300K-$500K, multiple income streams, or real estate interests who want quarterly guidance and faster response times.
- Everything in Essentials, plus:
- Four quarterly strategy calls (45-60 min each)
- Formal Reasonable Compensation Study with documentation ($750 value)
- Augusta Rule assessment and documentation package ($500 value)
- Entity structure optimization review
- Multi-year tax projection (current + 2 future years)
- Two ad-hoc calls per year for time-sensitive questions
- Email support (24-48 hour response)
Tier 3
Strategic Tax Partner
$1,200/month
or $12,960/year (save 10%)
Best for: Complex business owners with income exceeding $500K, multi-entity situations, real estate portfolios, or those considering business sales or major investments.
- Everything in Plus, plus:
- Monthly strategy calls (45 min, 12 per year)
- Proactive outreach when tax law changes affect your situation
- Coordination with your attorney, financial advisor, and insurance professionals
- Cost segregation screening (identify if a study makes sense)
- Real Estate Professional status qualification review
- Defined benefit/cash balance plan feasibility analysis
- Exit planning and business sale tax optimization discussions
- Same-business-day email response
- Direct mobile/text access to your CPA
- Audit representation included
| Feature | Essentials | Plus | Strategic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Investment | $300 | $600 | $1,200 |
| Advisory Calls | 1/year | 4/year | 12/year |
| Tax Projections | Annual | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Email Response Time | 3-5 days | 24-48 hours | Same day |
| Reasonable Comp Study | Add-on | Included | Included |
| Augusta Rule Package | Add-on | Included | Included |
| Phone/Text Access | — | 2 calls/year | Unlimited |
| Audit Representation | Add-on | Add-on | Included |
Implementation Services
Some strategies require dedicated implementation work beyond ongoing advisory. These are priced separately to ensure proper attention and documentation.
| Basic S-Corp Election | $595 |
| Strategic S-Corp Setup | $1,500 (election + comp study + optimization) |
| Reasonable Compensation Study | $750 (included in Plus/Strategic) |
| Augusta Rule Package | $500 (included in Plus/Strategic) |
| Late S-Corp Election | $2,000 (includes reasonable cause letter) |
| Cost Segregation Coordination | $1,000+ (plus engineering study) |
| Entity Restructuring | $4,000-$8,000 (scoped per situation) |
Getting Started
We limit the number of advisory clients we serve to ensure every relationship receives proper attention.
Schedule a Discovery Call
We’ll spend 20-30 minutes understanding your business structure, income level, current pain points, and goals. No sales pressure. Just an honest conversation about whether we’re a good fit.
Receive Your Proposal
Based on our conversation, we’ll send a clear proposal outlining the recommended tier and any implementation services. You’ll know exactly what to expect before making a decision.
Onboard and Begin
Once engaged, we collect documents, set up your portal, and schedule your first session. Most clients are fully onboarded within two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tax advisory and how is it different from tax preparation?
Tax preparation is the annual compliance filing that reports what happened last year. Tax advisory is year-round strategic planning that shapes what happens this year and beyond. Advisory includes quarterly projections, proactive strategy recommendations, and ongoing optimization. Preparation looks backward; advisory looks forward. Learn more about the differences in our tax advisory vs. tax preparation guide.
How much does tax advisory cost?
SDO CPA’s tax advisory services start at $300/month (Tax Strategy Essentials) for foundational planning. Tax Strategy Plus is $600/month and includes quarterly calls, reasonable compensation studies, and Augusta Rule documentation. Strategic Tax Partner is $1,200/month for complex situations requiring monthly calls and same-day response times. Annual payment options offer a 10% discount. See our detailed analysis of whether tax advisory is worth the cost.
Is tax advisory separate from tax preparation?
Yes. Tax advisory is an ongoing strategic relationship priced separately from annual tax return preparation. All advisory clients receive preferred pricing on tax returns: 15% discount on business returns, 20% discount on personal returns, and an additional 10% when bundling business and personal returns together.
What income level is needed for tax advisory to make sense?
Tax advisory typically makes sense for S-corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship owners with $150,000 or more in annual business income. At this level, proactive planning opportunities such as reasonable compensation optimization, QBI maximization, and retirement contribution timing can generate savings that exceed the advisory investment.
What is a reasonable compensation study?
A reasonable compensation study is a documented analysis that determines the appropriate W-2 salary for S-corporation owners. The IRS requires S-corp owners who perform services to pay themselves a reasonable salary before taking distributions. Our study includes market data analysis, job duty documentation, and a defensible compensation range that meets IRS requirements. This is included with Tax Strategy Plus and Strategic Tax Partner tiers.
How does the year-round advisory process work?
Our year-round quarterly process follows a structured cycle: Q1 focuses on prior year review and current year setup; Q2 includes mid-year projections and adjustment recommendations; Q3 is the year-end planning deep dive; and Q4 covers implementation and following year preview. Between calls, we’re monitoring your situation and reaching out when opportunities or concerns arise.
Learn More About Tax Advisory
Understand the key differences between annual filing and ongoing strategic planning.
7 questions to ask when evaluating tax advisory services for your business.
ROI analysis and break-even calculations for business owners.
Specific strategies and planning opportunities for S-corporations.
Partnership-specific planning including K-1 optimization and basis tracking.
How our quarterly cycle keeps your tax strategy on track all year.
Founding Client Offer
Our next five advisory clients receive 15% off monthly pricing, locked for two years. In exchange, we ask for your feedback as we refine the program and a testimonial once you’ve experienced results.
Essentials
$255/mo
$300/mo
Plus
$510/mo
$600/mo
Strategic
$1,020/mo
$1,200/mo
Mention “Founding Client” when scheduling your discovery call.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Schedule a discovery call to discuss your situation. No pressure, no obligation. Just an honest conversation about whether tax advisory makes sense for you.
Schedule Discovery Call Learn More About Advisory