Individual tax preparation in Fairview Park

I prepare personal tax returns for people in Fairview Park and across Cleveland's West Side: your federal 1040, your Ohio return and your city return, done together and filed electronically. I'm Tom Stephens, an Enrolled Agent, and I've done this since 2009. You get the price before any work starts, and you can ask as many questions as you like.

Who I prepare tax returns for

A single W-2 and nothing else is the easy case. I also prepare returns for:

Employees with one W-2 or several in the same year
Married couples filing jointly or separately
Homeowners
People who sold stock or traded cryptocurrency
Retirees, and couples where one spouse has just started Social Security
Military members
Families claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit
People in the year of a divorce, or the first year after one
Anyone in their first year living in Ohio

If you're self-employed or have a side business, that lives on your personal return too. The small business and self-employed page covers what changes.

Ohio city income tax, filed with everything else

Ohio is one of a handful of states where your city can tax your income as well as the state. People who move here usually find out from a letter. One family came to me in their first year in Ohio, new to both state and city income tax. Their review says they "never felt rushed".

Your city return is prepared alongside your federal and Ohio returns. One appointment, three returns, no surprise envelope in August.

Stocks, crypto and the forms that come with them

If you sold stock or traded cryptocurrency, each sale has to be reported. Cryptocurrency returns are one of my specialties. Bring the year-end tax forms from your brokerage, and the gain and loss reports from every crypto exchange you used. If an exchange didn't send anything, tell me; there's usually a download buried in your account settings.

Past-year and corrected returns

Missed a year, or found a mistake on a return you already filed? Past-year returns and corrections are part of the job. One couple came to me about their 2013 return. I explained what needed fixing in plain terms, then corrected it.

If the IRS has already written to you about it, see IRS letters and tax resolution.

Tax software or a tax preparer?

Software is fine for a simple return. It gets less fine around the point it asks forty questions to find out you rent. A house, a divorce, a side business, crypto or a new city all add places for things to go wrong, and that's usually when people call me.

What individual tax preparation costs

The more involved the return, the more it costs. A single W-2 costs less than a joint return with several W-2s, a house and stock sales. You get the price before any work starts. The first conversation is free.

I take cash, check, credit card, PayPal, Cash App and Venmo. The new clients page lists what to bring.

What clients say

“Tom provided excellent service on our tax returns! This was our first year in Ohio and we were new to state income tax and city income tax. He was extremely patient with our questions and we never felt rushed. He was extremely responsive anytime we had questions and in completing our returns. I would recommend his service, hands down!”

Danielle M. · Thumbtack, May 2020

“I called with plenty of questions like anyone would do. Not knowing what was involved in doing our taxes with the wife getting social security now. Tom responded immediately and called me back. He explained each thing and we set up a time for him to come out and review our stuff. [...] He's a very nice well educated tax professional that knows his craft.”

David R. · Thumbtack, March 2022

“Stephen has done our taxes the last two years. He is very personable and pays attention to details. He had a quick turn around so you can get your refund quickly.”

Stefanie O. · Google, February 2025

Questions about individual tax returns

How long will my refund take?

That depends on the IRS and the State of Ohio, not on me. I file electronically once your return is ready, and e-filed returns with direct deposit are usually the quickest way to get paid. One first-time client had a refund check 9 days after filing, but nobody can honestly promise you a date.

Do you file my Ohio and city returns as well?

Yes. Your federal, Ohio and local city returns are prepared and filed together, so the city return doesn't get forgotten until a letter arrives.

How much does individual tax preparation cost?

The price follows the work. A single W-2 costs less than a joint return with several W-2s, a house and stock sales. You get the price before any work starts, and the first conversation is free.

Do you prepare returns with cryptocurrency?

Yes. Cryptocurrency returns are one of my specialties. Bring the gain and loss reports or tax forms from every exchange or wallet service you used during the year.