Our pricing is based upon the complexity of your tax return. Since every person's return is unique, it is not possible for us to know exactly what your preparation fee will be until we have seen and interpreted all of your tax information. We can give you a general idea of what your tax preparation fee will likely be based on general fee ranges and examples provided below.
Please carefully review the information on this page to make sure you are comfortable with our pricing policy before you schedule an appointment with our staff.
Our fees are generally form-based.For example, if your tax return includes Form 1040, Schedule A, and Oregon Form 40, we would charge a fixed price for each of these forms.Our average fee range for the 2024season is summarized as follows:
Our fees are based on the complexity of your tax return. We have a posted fee schedule readily available to the public at all of our offices. In general, we:
(Note: If you are viewing from your smart phone, turn screen sideways to see full pricing table below.)
Tax Return includes the following income and deductions
Forms Required
Total Average Price Charged
Example 1: VERY Simple return
W2 Income only, no dependents. No deductions or credits. Federal and Oregon State. Electronic filing. PDF copy of return.
See our What to Bring page, to help you prepare for your tax interview.
1040, Oregon 40,
1 Form W-2
(Each W-2 is $8)
$430-$470
Example 2: 1040 Simple return with wage, retirement, interest or dividend income.
Not itemizing deductions, no dependents. Income is from W-2, 1099R, Social Security, 1099-INT or 1099-DIV only.
Note: Add $8to the fee for each W-2, 1099-R, 1099-INT or 1099-DIV.
If interest or dividend income is greater than $1,500, Schedule B is required and adds $32to the cost. Add $8for each 1099-INT or 1099-DIV you have for the year.
Oregon allows special deductions and credits in certain situations. If you are eligible for these, we may need to prepare Schedule ASC which costs $36. If additional worksheets are required, these are $20each.
See our What to Bring page, to help you prepare for your tax interview.
Low: You have income only from wages.
1040, OR 40, one W-2
Average: You have income from retirement, wages, interest or dividends. Interest and dividends are under $1,500. Please add $8for each income statement that you have.
High: your return will push into the high range if your interest/dividend income is more than $1,500, you have several W-2s, 1099Rs, 1099 INTs or 1099 DIVs, or if you have certain types of income or deductions that require additional forms on your Oregon return. If you have other sources of income, you should look to examples on this page for these types of income.
Average$475 - $700
High$750 and up.
Example 3: 1040 Simple return with dependents, EIC and Additional Child Tax Credit
W2 income only. No childcare expense. No itemized deductions.
See our What to Bring page, to help you prepare for your tax interview.
Example 4: Simple return with dependents or college education expenses
W2 income only. Federal and Oregon state. No EIC.
See our What to Bring page, to help you prepare for your tax interview.
Low: Single, no dependents, college expenses which qualify for the lifetime learning credit. (One W-2, 1040, Sch 3, 8863, Oregon 40)
Average: You fall into the average range when you have dependents, head of household filing status, or qualify for the American opportunity credit. (1040, Sch 3, 8863, 8867, OR 40, and two W-2s.)
High: Pricing pushes into the high range if you have other types of income, multiple students qualify for education credits or you are itemizing deductions.
Low$550
Average$725
High$750 and up
Example 5: 1040 itemized deductions
Income is from wages, pension, social security, interest and dividend incomeless than $1,500.
Out-of-state returns
We prepare returns for other states.You should request an appointment with an experienced preparer if you had income from a state other than Oregon.Out-of-state returns range in price from $150- $300each depending on the complexity of the state.
We recommend you see our What to Bring page and review our Individual 1040 Tax Organizer to help you prepare for your tax interview.
Home Sale: Did you sell your home during the year?
If you sold your home, the sale must generally be reported on Schedule D and Forms 8949. If you owned and occupied the home as your main home for 2 of the past 5 years, the sale may not be taxable, however it must still be reported on Schedule D. Refer to Example 6 below for an estimate of what we charge to prepare a return that includes Schedule D and 8949.
Was your home used as a rental property in the current or a prior year?
You have a more complex tax situation if you sold a home that you previously rented out and our preparation fee will likely be higher than it is for a straight sale of your main home. If the home was rented during the current year, you should refer to Example 7 to see what we charge for preparing a rental property return.
If you would like a more precise price estimate, follow the instructions on our price estimate request page.
Low: Simple Sch A: 1040, Sch A, OR 40 and 1 W-2
Average: Sch A with Dependents: 1040, Sch A, 8867, W-2 or 1099-R x 2, Oregon Form 40
High: Taxpayers with other forms of income and deductions should refer to other examples in this table.
See Example 11if you have income from a state other than Oregon
Low$550
Average$600 - $800
High$1,000 and up
Example 6: Stock and Investment income, or K-1 from S-Corp, Partnership, Trust or Estate
All facts the same as example 5 (low), except there is additional income reported for stock sales. Schedule D is $60Then add $7for each 8949 required and $4for each sale reported. This example assumes 5 long-term and 5 short-term sales, to arrive at a price of $620.
If you've received a K-1 (Form 1120S, 1065 or 1041), then Sch E, Pg 2 must be completed. Numerous other forms may also be triggered depending upon the types of income and deductions reported on the K-1s. K-1 income typically adds $150-$300to the bill, per K-1.
Alternative minimum tax and NIIT
If you are a higher income taxpayer ($200,000 and up), additional forms will be required if you mustpay alternative minimum tax or the net investment income tax.These forms can add $100- $300 to the bill.
Foreign investment or financial accounts
Investment accounts that fall under FATCA and/or FBAR filing requirements can trigger additional forms, and typically add $100 - $250 to the preparation fees.
Preparing for your interview - We recommend you see our What to Bring page and review the following tax organizers to help you prepare for your tax interview:
- Individual 1040
- Stock Sale
- Foreign Income or Asset Reporting (if you have foreign investments, retirement accounts, or stock)
Low: Return is reporting only wages and simple stock sales. No other complexities like dependents or itemized deductions apply. 1040, Sch 1, Sch D, 8949 x 1, W-2 x 2, OR 40.
Average: Most clients with stock sales fall into this range. You can expect to fall into this price range if you have a significant portfolio, multiple accounts, you are itemizing deductions, claiming dependents, or your income is over $200,000. Look to Example E at the top of this webpage for an example of a return with stock sales, itemized deductions and income over $200,000.
High: Returns push into the high range when there are other forms of income to report, large numbers of stock sales, foreign income reporting or other complex items affecting the tax return.
Low$725
Average $800- $1,300
High $1,400- $2,200+
Example 7: Rental property
Simple returns reporting a single rental property start at $800. Itemized deductions or additional forms of income will add to the price.
More than one rental property
Each additional rental property will add approximately $250to the bill.
Preparing for your interview - We recommend you see our What to Bring page and review the following tax organizers to help you prepare for your tax interview:
- Individual 1040
- Rental Property Tax Organizer
Low: Look to Example C at the top of this webpage to see what's typically included in preparation of a return with a single rental property. If your rental property is not located inside the City of Portland, the fee will be slightly less.
Average: Your return will fall into the average range if you itemize deductions, have dependents, have other forms of income such as investment income, more than one rental property, or have rental property in another state.
High: Your return will fall into the high range if you have multiple rental properties, self-employment or other complex items to report.
Low $800
Average $1,100 - 1,500
High $1,600- $2,200+
Example 8: Self Employment/Business Income
Price will vary according to complexity of the business return and other forms and schedules that are a part of the tax return. Please complete our Price Estimate Worksheet and contact our offices for a more detailed price estimate.
If you performed services inside the Tricounty or Lane County transportation districts, or if you had business income inside the City of Portland or Multnomah County, additional returns for these jurisdictions must be filed.
The average self employment return typically includes all of the following forms: 1040, Sch C, Sch 1, Sch 4, 8829, 4562, QBI worksheet, Oregon Form 40, TM, City of Portland. Having multiple businesses or additional types of income will add to the complexity of the return.
Preparing for your interview - We recommend you see our What to Bring page and review the following tax organizers to help you prepare for your tax interview:
- Individual 1040
- Self-Employment/Sole Proprietor/Single Member LLC
Simple Schedule C (expenses under $5,000 and not claiming a business loss): This example assumes you have no other source of income aside from self employment and that you qualify to file using Schedule C-EZ. This type of return would include preparation of the following forms; 1040, Sch 1, Sch C-EZ, QBI Worksheet, Sch 3, Sch SE, OR Form 40.
Average Schedule C: Look to Example D at the top of this webpage for pricing on preparation of a return that includes a complex Schedule C.
Self-employment income pushes into the high range when there are multiple businesses, or rental properties, that are being reported along with other types of investment income and deductions.
Low $800
Average: $1,200- $1,500
High: $2,000 - $3,000+
Example 9: Amended tax return
Our fee for preparing an amended return depends upon whether we prepared the original return and why the amendment is needed.
- If we made an error, we amend at no charge.
- If we prepared the return, but you failed to provide us with complete and accurate information, then we charge for additional forms needed to prepare the corrected return. The minimum charge is typically about $400 - $600.
- If we did not prepare the original return, then the fees for amending will depend on the complexity of the return and what forms we need to complete. Pricing will be similar to what we would have charged to prepare the original return, plus additional forms required for the amendment.
Preparing for your interview - We recommend see our What to Bring page and review our Individual 1040 Tax Organizer to help you prepare for your tax interview. In addition, bring a copy of the original return, and copies of any IRS or State letters pertaining to the tax year in question.
1040X, Oregon 40X
Additional forms required for the amendment
Our error: $0
We prepared the original return but you failed to provide all relevant information: $500 and up.
We did NOT prepare the original return: $600 - $1,400+
Example 10: Out-of-State Returns
Multi-state tax returns are required when you have income from more than one state. We consider multi-state tax returns to be complex so you should request an appointment with an experienced preparer.
If you are itemizing on your state return, you should add $106for the cost of preparing a Schedule A for the state return.
Preparing for your interview - We recommend you see our What to Bring page and review our Individual 1040 Tax Organizer to help you prepare for your tax interview. In addition, bring copies of your prior-year State and Federal returns.
We prepare returns for all states.
We also have experience with preparing returns for CNMI, Guam, and other U.S. territories, although we recommend seeking an EA in Puerto Ricoas the Spanish language SURI filing system is difficult to navigate for non-Spanish speakers.
Oregon: $121
State Sch A: $106
AZ, MT, HI & ID: $121per state
CA, MA, NJ, NY & PA: $285per state
All other states: $170
State city/county returns: $53
Example 11: Nonresident Returns (1040NR)
Dual status residents and U.S. nonresidents with U.S. source income may be required to file Form 1040NR. In certain situations a nonresident may choose to file Form 1040. You should request an appointment with a person on our staff who is experienced with nonresident returns.
Preparing for your interview - We recommend you bring your passport and Visa to your tax interview. Also bring copies of your prior-year State and Federal returns (if you have previously filed here in the U.S.). Please see our What to Bring page, to help you prepare for your tax interview.
Low $650
Average: $700 - $1,000
High: $1,200 - $2,000
Example 12: Foreign income
You have foreign income if:
- You received payment for services performed in a foreign country
- You have income from foreign rental properties or businesses
- You have investment income such as interest or dividends from a foreign country.
You are required to report your worldwide income, however, you may be eligible to offset foreign income by claiming the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion or the Foreign Tax Credit. If you are not eligible for these benefits, you may still be able to claim certain travel expenses.
Pricing for tax returns that report foreign income is described in earlier examples, but pricing will reflect charges for additional forms relating to the foreign income.
Offshore Stream-Lined Filing Compliance Procedures
We are also experienced with preparing specialized returns for expatriates and individuals who are out of tax filing compliance and wish to come into compliance using the IRS Offshore Stream-Lined Filing Compliance Procedures.
Preparing for your interview - We recommend see our What to Bring page and review the following organizers to help you prepare for your tax interview:
- Individual 1040
- Foreign Income or Asset Reporting
Low: 1040, Sch 1, Form 2555, reporting income from a single employer, no state return.
Average: Your return will fall into the average range if you are reporting foreign investment income along with other types of income and deductions. Most filers with FATCA/FBAR filing requirements fall into this range.
High: Your return pushes into the high range if you have multiple types of foreign income such as investment, capital gains, rental or ownership of a foreign corporation.
Low $800
Average: $1,200-$1,600
High: $1,500 - $3,000+
Specialized situations like offshore streamlined compliance proceduresor controlling interest of foreign corporations run $4,000 - $6,000.
Fees for preparing corporate and partnership returns vary, according to the complexity of the tax return. Please see our for information on how we price these types of returns.
The purpose of this rule is to ensure income tax services who advertise discounts to attract customers fairly and openly disclose their pricing.
In accordance with these laws, Pacific Northwest Tax Service makes every effort to openly and fairly disclose our pricing. We believe it is the responsibility of all licensed tax professionals to adhere to the Code of Conduct set forth by the Oregon Board of Tax Service Examiners.Tax Board's rules governing the conduct for tax professionals in Oregon.
Oregon law requires tax preparers who offer discounts or coupons to post their price schedule. Ask to see your preparer's price schedule to ensure you are being fairly charged.
