Why Hire Michael Plaks As Your Tax Advisor?

Hello,
I am Michael Plaks. My business is saving you money! And this is why you need to hire me.

• Benefit 1: You will get maximum savings on your tax returns
• Benefit 2: You will sleep better
• Benefit 3: You will save money with advanced tax planning
• Benefit 4: You will be more organized
• Benefit 5: You will understand and stay in control

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.

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. We 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.

Benefit 2: You will sleep better

Michael Plaks vs. H&R Block       
Previously, I used to refer to this benefit as “peace of mind.” However, as I was kindly informed by

this friendly letter

from corporate counsel of H&R Block, their company reserved exclusive legal rights to provide such benefits. To which, predictably, I

responded in kind.

Therefore, if I ever misled you to believe that I could provide “peace of mind” – I hereby set the record straight: according to big fat corporate lawyers, I could not. Apparently, legally speaking, H&R Block, and H&R Block only, can. That said,..

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

• Did I get the maximum possible tax savings?
• Will I have any problems with the IRS?

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.

Wouldn’t you like to sleep better, knowing you’re in competent hands?

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.

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 business owners 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.