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Why hire Michael Plaks as your Tax Advisor?


Hello,
I am Michael Plaks. My business is saving money for Real Estate Investors - just like you! During my 10 years in private practice, I helped hundreds of investors in multiple states, and even foreigners who invest in US real estate from as far as Australia and New Zealand. I would love to help you too!

At this point, you may be thinking - and why should I work with you? Let me tell you why.

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Just ask my clients


Great - I have done most of what you suggested - so far close to $3500 savings in owed taxes and I have not finished the home office.
Mark Claussen

Michael Plaks knows real estate tax laws better than anyone, and even seems to enjoy his field! He is a great tax strategist that every real estate investor should add to his or her team.
Barbara Guerra-Grainey

We are really glad to be your client this year. Your expertise on tax returns and small business helped us save over two thousand dollars from IRS.
Ning Cheng

Your knowledge and skills in the tax business are commendable. Thank you for your excellent service!
Patricia Williams

I think it's very impressive to tell people that my "tax guy" gives me a face to face consultation, turns my taxes around in a week, provides me with a follow up review before they are filed and gives me a 20 percent early bird discount. I've been very pleased with your services.
Henry Bernshausen

Thank you again for handling this situation with tact, humor and kindness.
Thomas J. Carter

Michael's knowledge of real estate taxes, backed up with his diligent and personalized service, has saved me thousands!! In the two short years I have been fortunate enough to work with Michael he has helped me, with humor, tackle tax season without all the typical stress, not to mention helping me completely revise my bookkeeping practices so that compiling my information doesn't take the entire month of March! Michael's services pay for themselves and then some. Let him help you make April 15th just another beautiful spring day in Texas!
Simon Bainbridge

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Benefit 1: You will get maximum savings on your tax returns


The truth is: anyone with a keyboard and a mouse can "prepare" a tax return online. Another truth is: you can easily overpay thousands of dollars this way. A lot of people do. The scary thing is that even many CPAs and attorneys prepare bad tax returns for investors. Taxation of real estate investments is a very specialized and technical area of the tax law. If you want the best result - you need a specialist. I work exclusively with real estate investors. In fact, the most common reason my new clients choose me is: "I don't think my current CPA understands real estate." Well, I do.

Unlike some of my colleagues, I'm not satisfied with the data you bring me. I will keep asking and pushing you for the additional information - if it can help you save money. Unless, of course, you don't care about savings.

This is the right time to discuss tax aggressiveness. US tax law includes some "white" area (things clearly allowed), some "black" area (things clearly prohibited), and a huge "gray" area, with all possible shades of gray. Investors and their tax advisors often have to make judgement calls: if a certain item falls in that "gray area" - do we treat it as "white" (which saves money) or as "black" (which reduces risk). The more we push "gray" into "white," the more money we save. This is called "aggressive" approach.

I will be as aggressive (or as conservative) as you want me to be. I can walk right on the line between "gray" and "black" - as long as you are willing to accept the extra risk in exchange for more savings. I will not, however, cross that line. It is not worth it.

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Benefit 2: You will have peace of mind


Have you ever had one or both of these two concerns:

I already addressed the 1st concern. Let's talk about the 2nd one: the IRS. Hiring me protects you in more than one way:

  1. I know the rules. The reason most people are audited by the IRS is simply not following the rules.
  2. Your return will be signed by a federally licensed Enrolled Agent. Chances of the IRS challenging somebody with my credentials are immensely lower than if it was a "self-prepared" tax return.
  3. Federally authorized tax practitioners like myself are protected by confidentiality privilege, similar to that of an attorney. Except for criminal cases, I cannot be forced to disclose information or testify against you.

How much is peace of mind worth to you?

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Benefit 3: You will save money with advanced tax planning


Hiring me to prepare your tax returns will save you a lot of money. Getting my advice on how to run your business in the future will save you much more. It is much easier to plan forward than to correct mistakes of the past, agree? Here are some of the questions that savvy investors ask:

One problem: effective planning requires advanced knowledge and experience - the two things that are hard to come by. This is one of the reasons why my clients stay with me even after they move across the country.

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Benefit 4: You will be more organized


You may be one of the very few investors who enjoy recordkeeping, but I doubt so. You do not make any money attending to these time-consuming and stressful chores.

This is where I can help. Recordkeeping can take less time and create less stress - if you know how to do it right. The result is simple: peace of mind knowing that your records are in order and more time for doing business. Or maybe even for some fun time with your family. Unless, of course, digging through messy records IS your idea of fun time.

My approach to bookkeeping may be somewhat unconventional. Please read some of the related articles posted on this site.



Benefit 5: You will understand and stay in control


I have been teaching for over 15 years. Those who have ever taught something will confirm: the hardest thing for a teacher to do is to shut up. My office features a whiteboard. Yes, I do like to explain things.

I strongly believe that investors should not rely on their tax advisors for decision making. This is your business, and nobody knows it better than you do. If I help you understand taxes, you will make better business decisions. And you will make less mistakes and more money.

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Do I ever have problems with my clients?


The answer is - NEVER! As a proof, see this picture of my desk:

P.S. This and other fun items, you can order online. Your purchase will benefit homeless animals.