Tax Preparation & Advisory · Small Business & Freelancers
Stop Overpaying.
Start Working With
a Tax Pro Who
Knows You.
ClearSlate Tax serves small business owners and freelancers with year-round tax strategy — not just April filing.
Serving sole proprietors, LLCs, S-corps, and 1099 professionals
The Status Quo
Most tax services treat you like a form, not a business.
Generic software routes you through a questionnaire designed for W-2 employees. National chains hand your return to whoever's available that season — someone who doesn't know your industry, your structure, or your goals.
You file, you pay, and you wonder every year: did I miss something? Could I have paid less?
The answer, usually, is yes.
A Different Approach
Tax strategy built around your actual business.
- One advisor who knows your books, your structure, and your plans — not a seasonal employee.
- Proactive planning conversations before deadlines, not scrambling in April.
- Strategies to legally reduce what you owe — for this year and next.
- Plain-language explanations of every decision, so you stay in control.
What We Handle
A full scope of tax services,
for the work you do.
We focus exclusively on self-employed individuals and small businesses — the clients who benefit most from proactive strategy.
Tax Preparation
Federal and state returns for sole proprietors, LLCs, S-corps, partnerships, and 1099 professionals. Accurate, reviewed, and filed on your behalf.
Year-Round Tax Planning
Quarterly check-ins to adjust estimated payments, model income scenarios, and flag opportunities before they expire. Strategy shouldn't start in March.
Freelancer & 1099 Advisory
Home office deductions, self-employment taxes, retirement account strategies, and business expense guidance tailored to independent professionals.
Business Structure Guidance
Analysis of whether your current structure — sole prop, LLC, or S-corp election — is costing you in self-employment taxes, and what to do about it.
Estimated Tax Payments
Calculation and scheduling of quarterly estimated payments so you avoid underpayment penalties and aren't surprised come filing season.
Tax Notice Response
Clear-headed review and response to IRS or state tax notices. We explain what it means, what's actually required, and handle correspondence on your behalf.
Your tax situation is not generic. Neither is our advice.
ClearSlate Tax exists for the business owners and independent professionals who have outgrown software questionnaires and want a real advisor in their corner — every month, not just in April.
How It Works
A clear process, from first conversation to filed return.
Initial Consultation
We start with a focused conversation about your business structure, income sources, and what you've been doing for taxes. No judgment — just a clear picture of where you stand.
No obligation. No paperwork yet.
Document Collection
We give you a clear, specific checklist tailored to your situation — not a generic pile of everything. You upload securely, and we handle the organization from there.
Secure portal upload. We organize what you send.
Review & Strategy
We prepare your return while looking for every deduction and strategy that applies to your actual situation. If something could save you money next year, we flag it now.
We review before you sign. Nothing surprises you.
Filing & Confirmation
We file your return and send you confirmation. You keep copies of everything. And you're not left wondering what just happened — we explain the final numbers.
Copies retained. Questions answered.
Year-Round Advisory
Tax strategy is not a one-time event. We check in quarterly to adjust estimated payments, discuss income changes, and plan ahead — so next year starts better than this one did.
Proactive check-ins. No extra charge for questions.
What You Get
Everything a self-employed professional needs — in one place.
Dedicated Tax Advisor
One person who knows your business — not a rotating seasonal staff member.
Secure Document Portal
Upload your documents once to a private, encrypted portal. No emailing PDFs.
Federal & State Returns
Preparation and e-filing of all required federal and applicable state returns.
Quarterly Check-Ins
Scheduled conversations to review your numbers, adjust estimated payments, and plan ahead.
Deduction Review
A line-by-line look at your expenses to confirm every legitimate deduction is captured.
Plain-Language Summaries
After every filing and planning meeting, a written summary of what we did and why.
Tax Notice Assistance
If an IRS or state notice arrives, we review it and tell you exactly what it means — and what, if anything, to do.
Year-End Planning Meeting
A dedicated session in Q4 to model your estimated tax liability and make any last-minute moves before December 31.
Common Questions
Questions we hear most often.
Do I need a CPA, or will this work for me?
If you're self-employed or running a small business, you almost certainly benefit from professional tax help — whether or not you technically require a licensed CPA. The more your income comes from business activity rather than a W-2, the more strategy is available, and the more a missed deduction costs you. We serve clients who want that strategy applied, not just a return filed.
I already use software like TurboTax. Why switch?
Software is designed to ask standard questions and process the answers. It won't tell you that your business structure is costing you in self-employment taxes, or that a simple change in how you pay yourself could lower your bill. A tax advisor notices those things and acts on them — software does not.
What if I have a simple return?
If your situation is genuinely simple — one W-2, no business income, no investments — you may not need us yet. We work best with people who have business income, multiple revenue streams, or a situation that's growing in complexity. If you're not sure, an initial conversation will tell you quickly whether professional advisory adds value for you.
How does the year-round relationship work?
We schedule quarterly check-ins to review estimated tax payments, discuss any income changes, and flag planning opportunities. You can also reach out between sessions with questions — you won't be charged every time you send an email. The goal is to feel like you have a trusted advisor available, not a billable-by-the-hour stranger.
What documents do I need to provide?
It depends on your situation. When we onboard you, we provide a specific checklist tailored to your business type and income sources. Typically this includes prior-year returns, income statements, expense records, and any 1099s or K-1s you received. We handle the organization; you just need to gather what's on the list.
What if I'm behind on filing?
It happens, and it's more common than people think. We work with clients who need to catch up on prior years without judgment. The first step is understanding what's actually required, which is usually less complicated than it feels from the outside. Reach out and we'll assess your situation together.
Get Started
Schedule a consultation.
Tell us a little about your situation and we will follow up within one business day to schedule a focused, no-obligation conversation.