Tax Preparation, Tax Planning & IRS Tax Resolution for Fort Lauderdale

Who we work with in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale runs on small business: marine services and yachting, hospitality and short-term rentals, real estate, construction, healthcare, and professional services. Our clients here tend to fall into four groups:

• Self-employed and 1099 earners who need deductions documented properly and quarterly estimates that match real income.
• LLC and S-Corp owners who want a tax plan during the year, not a surprise in April.
• High-income W-2 households whose withholding and deductions no longer fit a simple return.
• Anyone dealing with IRS debt, unfiled returns, a levy, a wage garnishment, or an audit.

How taxes work for Fort Lauderdale residents and businesses

Florida has no personal state income tax, so for most Fort Lauderdale individuals the only income tax return is the federal one, and nearly every serious tax problem is an IRS problem. That is exactly the work an Enrolled Agent is licensed to handle.

Businesses have more layers. C-corporations file a Florida corporate income tax return (Form F-1120). Businesses that sell taxable goods or services collect Florida sales tax, employers pay Florida reemployment tax, and short-term rental hosts collect Florida transient rental tax plus Broward County's tourist development tax. Most businesses also need a local business tax receipt from Broward County and, inside city limits, from the City of Fort Lauderdale. Our work centers on your federal taxes and the IRS, and we'll flag it when a Florida filing needs attention.

Tax preparation

We prepare individual returns (Form 1040, including Schedule C self-employment income and Schedule E rentals) and business returns for S-Corps (Form 1120-S), partnerships (Form 1065), and C-corporations (Form 1120). Calendar-year S-Corp and partnership returns are due March 15; individual returns are due April 15. An extension gives you more time to file, not more time to pay.

What to have ready

• Last year's federal return
• W-2s, 1099s, and K-1s
• Business income and expense records or your bookkeeping file
• Records for rentals, home office, vehicle use, and major purchases
• Any IRS letters you've received

Tax planning and strategy for business owners

Tax planning happens before December 31, not after. For Fort Lauderdale business owners, the questions that usually move the number are:

• Entity choice. Whether an LLC should elect S-Corp status (Form 2553). The election can reduce self-employment tax on profit above a reasonable salary, but it adds payroll, a separate return, and compliance cost.
• Reasonable compensation. S-Corp owners who work in the business must pay themselves a reasonable salary before taking distributions. The IRS looks closely at this.
• QBI deduction. Section 199A can deduct up to 20% of qualified business income, subject to income limits and wage and property tests. Salary and entity decisions change the result.
• Retirement plans. Solo 401(k), SEP-IRA, and other plans can shelter income and need to be set up on time.
• Estimated taxes. Paying 100% of last year's tax (110% if your AGI was over $150,000) through withholding and estimates generally avoids the underpayment penalty.

We don't promise a savings number before we see your figures. We run the math on your actual situation and tell you what applies.

IRS representation and tax resolution

If you owe the IRS, the right option depends on how much you owe, what you can afford each month, your assets, and whether all your returns are filed. Every resolution starts with filing compliance.

How a resolution case works

1. We file Form 2848 so the IRS deals with us.
2. We pull your IRS transcripts to confirm what you owe, for which years, and every deadline that matters.
3. We get any missing returns filed.
4. We document your finances and choose the option that costs you the least overall.
5. We negotiate it, then keep you compliant so it holds.

IRS sources: Payment plans · Offer in Compromise · Penalty relief · Collection Due Process

Why an Enrolled Agent

Enrolled Agents are licensed by the IRS after passing the three-part Special Enrollment Examination (or through qualifying IRS experience) and must complete 72 hours of continuing education every three years. Like CPAs and attorneys, EAs have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS on audits, collections, and appeals. The difference is focus: the EA credential is earned entirely on federal tax knowledge.

How Fort Lauderdale clients work with PDJ

1. Book a free 15-minute discovery call, or call (954) 774-5275.
2. We review your situation and give you a quote before any work starts.
3. You sign the engagement and upload documents through our encrypted client portal.
4. We do the work and keep you updated by phone, video, or email.
5. Business and planning clients stay with us year-round.

What affects the cost

Fees depend on the work: how complex the return is, how many years or entities are involved, and for IRS cases, the size of the balance, the number of unfiled years, and which resolution path fits. You get a quote after the discovery call, before any work begins. New clients get $100 off their first service.

Fort Lauderdale tax FAQ