Signs it is time to switch
- You only hear from your accountant when it is time to sign.
- Your tax bill keeps surprising you, and nobody explains why.
- Nobody has talked to you about planning before December 31.
- You own a business or an S corporation and your books and your return never seem to agree.
- You are behind on filing and do not want a lecture about it.
How switching works
- A free intro call. Twenty minutes to understand your situation and make sure we are a fit.
- A fixed quote. You see the price before any work begins, and you sign a short engagement.
- One checklist. Prior-year returns, any depreciation schedules, and access to your books. We give you a short note to send your current accountant, and with your Form 8821 authorization we can pull your filing history from the IRS for anything missing.
- Year-end planning. Before December 31 we look at estimated payments, retirement contributions and, for S corporation owners, reasonable compensation, while there is still time to act.
- A calm tax season. Your documents go through a secure client portal, and you work directly with the person preparing your return.
Who you will be working with
Trailhead Tax is led by Clay Welch, MST, EA. An Enrolled Agent is licensed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury specifically in taxation, with unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. We prepare individual returns, small business and S corporation returns, and keep books and payroll for businesses along the Highway 50 corridor, from Folsom and El Dorado Hills to Granite Bay and Roseville.
Our office is at 101 Parkshore Dr Suite 100 in Folsom, and the whole process also works remotely. See how we work and current pricing.
Switching questions
Is it a hassle to switch accountants?
Less than most people expect. You sign a short engagement, give us access to your prior returns and books, and we take it from there. We send you one checklist, so you are never asked for the same thing twice.
Do I have to tell my current accountant?
Only to ask for your records. Your prior returns, depreciation schedules and books belong to you. We give you a short, friendly note you can send, and if anything is missing we can pull your filing history from the IRS once you sign a Form 8821 authorization.
Can I switch in the middle of the year?
Yes. Fall is one of the best times to switch, because there is still time to plan before December 31: estimated payments, retirement contributions and, for S corporation owners, reasonable compensation all have year-end deadlines.
What if my books are a mess?
That is common, and it is often why people switch. We start with an honest look at where the books stand, give you a fixed quote for any cleanup, and get your file ready for tax season.
Do you work with S corporations and small businesses?
Yes. We prepare S corporation, partnership and sole proprietor returns, and we prepare the business return and your personal return together, because the two only make sense as a pair.
Will I work with the same person every time?
Yes. You get direct access to the person who actually prepares your return, in person at our Folsom office or fully remote through a secure client portal.