Kaplow & Kaplow, CPAs

I hired Michael Kaplow this year, since I knew I’d be receiving 3 W2s, 4 1099s, reports on stock option purchases, income from dividends, and I had two very different categories of self-​employment. It gives me a headache just thinking about it.
But, the bottom line is now I am 100% self-​employed, and needed serious tax advising.
Michael came as a referral from a friend, and he looked over my last year’s returns and this year’s 1099 earnings to advise me on pre-​payments to make at the end of last year, and did not charge me for his time. He was a little tough to pin down by email at first, but I don’t hold it against him since I didn’t pay to retain him– and my files were a mess so I shot him some inaccurate numbers the first time around.
Early this year, I received a packet to fill out, made my tax appointment, met him face-​to-​face for 45 minutes, and four days later, he was done with my returns. (Helpful hint: get in to see him in February before he gets super slammed).
Michael’s a straight shooter and is very patient. He’s great at explaining your options and helping you figure out what works best for you. He’s given me some things to consider as I approach 2012 as a year of self-​employment.
I haven’t seen his bill yet, but I trust it will be within the range he quoted me, and I’m glad I have someone advising me in matters of the DOR and IRS– scary stuff!