Prospective Client FAQs

Seghetti Waxler specializes in working with small business entities such as S-Corps, Corporations and Partnerships. We specialize in helping operating entities such as restaurants, building contractors, real estate professionals, physicians, dentists,  business-to-business enterprises, as well as operating businesses in many other industries.

On the individual side, we work with real estate investors and high-net-worth individuals. In addition, we work closely with Silicon Valley employees and entrepreneurs receiving equity compensation (RSU, ESPP, ISO, NQSO).

We also offer also offer estate and trusts services, including but not limited to Forms 1041, 709, and 706. We will work closely with your attorneys to develop and implement your estate tax plan.

Minimum fixed fees for individuals begin at approximately $2,000 for the first year and can increase based on complexity and the amount of work involved.

For entities (corporations and partnerships) minimum fees begin at approximately $3,000. 

All of our fees are fixed and include general email and phone inquiries throughout the year in addition to the tax compliance work.

Trust returns vary quite a bit in complexity and will require an individual quote.

There are several factors that contribute to our pricing structure.

One of the main factors is the increase in staffing costs since Covid-19 and the "great resignation". The accounting industry is facing a shortage of professionals, which, along with recent inflation, is putting upward pressure on salaries.

Another factor is the complexity of tax returns. With the frequent changes in tax laws since 2018, such as the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA) and  the CARES Act implemented in response to COVID-19, the process has become more intricate. Even today, congress continues to legislate their priorities through the tax code. The Inflation Reduction Act added a great deal of complexity and additional forms to be filed to claim new credit, and states have responded to the TCJA SALT limitation by passing Pass-Through Entity Tax Credits (PTE).

Many solo firms were able to keep their prices low because they had limited staffing needs and did not need to absorb the additional staffing costs. However, due to various factors, these firms are now reducing their client base, increasing prices or closing altogether.

We believe our prices are competitive, especially when compared to regional or national firm prices. It's worth mentioning that many of our staff members have previous experience in renowned national firms like Ernst & Young, BDO, Rothstein Kass and KPMG. This allows us to provide the same level of quality service while maintaining reasonable pricing.

We are a Certified Public Accounting firm registered with the California Board of Accountancy (Corp License 7452). All owners are CPAs, and in total, we have four CPAs on staff with another soon-to-be-licensed accountant pending approval from the California Board of Accountancy. Many of our unlicensed accounting staff have plans to sit for the CPA exam in the future.

Yes, Seghetti Waxler maintains office ours year round Monday through Friday.

We can be reached via email or voicemail and pride ourselves in being responsive to customer inquiries.

What makes Seghetti Waxler different is that we're approachable, reliable and responsive.

Approachable: Our staff is friendly and welcoming, creating an environment that allows you to feel comfortable getting answers your questions and making the tax filing process as painless as possible.

Reliable: Our firm has strict quality standards and rigorous review procedures that ensure your filing is accurate and as tax efficient as possible.

Responsive: The latest technology is used to ensure you questions and needs are addressed as soon as possible. Voicemails and emails are routed through a ticketing system that allows staff to respond quickly and ensure nothing is missed. We regularly send surveys to gauge client satisfaction with the resolutions to questions and inquiries.

Yes, we provide income tax planning services in addition to our regular compliance services. Your tax engagement will include some general advice and discussion at any time during the year. Should you require an income tax projection, we will provide that as a separate engagement

Yes, we offer meetings during the tax season and outside of tax season on a first-come-first-serve basis. Our calendars book up quickly, but generally we can have you meet with one of our CPAs via video call, phone or in person.

Yes, Seghetti Waxler has been around since the 1980s. Our CPAs are primarily in their mid-to-late 30s or early 40s. We regularly hire new staff in their 20s and 30s who our more experienced staff oversee and mentor. We have no intention of retiring any time soon, and you can expect a long-term relationship.

No. We will work closely with your financial advisors to provide any tax information they need to assist in their plan.

We will not take on any international work outside of basic FBAR and Form 8938 filings. Foreign filings required based on holdings of foreign entities and/or transfers of money to entities overseas as well as foreign earned income exclusion etc. are best serviced by larger firms with more sophisticated international compliance departments, which are generally located in the Bay Area.

No, we do not work with not-for-profit entities. Our focus at Seghetti Waxler is primarily on small businesses, estates and trusts, and high-net-worth individuals.

No. We take pride in prioritizing the quality control and security of our clients, which is why we do not send tax returns overseas for preparation. While it may be tempting to outsource work to countries with lower labor costs, our focus remains on providing exceptional service and maintaining the utmost security for our clients' sensitive information.

To ensure our competitiveness in the industry, we invest in cutting-edge technology that automates the data entry process. This allows our dedicated staff and certified public accountants (CPAs) to concentrate on the meticulous preparation of tax returns and strategic planning for our clients.

All of our staff members are based in the United States, working either from our offices in Santa Cruz, California or remotely from their homes. Currently, we have talented professionals working remotely in Santa Clara, CA, Walnut Creek, CA, and Austin, TX. This allows us to deliver the same level of expertise and personalized service to clients across the nation while maintaining our commitment to quality and security.

Yes, we offer Financial Statement Compilation & Review Services, Business Valuation Services, as well as Business Consulting Services. Our specialty in valuing businesses allows us to offer exit planning services to small business owners looking to transition their business to the next generation.