Your name · SSN
SARAH PATEL · ***-**-4814
Partner CPAs & EAs
Tax Preparation · all 51 jurisdictions
A licensed CPA who matches your business.
File.Business does not prepare tax returns. We curate a network of licensed CPAs and Enrolled Agents who specialize in your business type, then match you based on industry, complexity, and state. Your books make their work cheaper.
Licensed CPAs and EAs only
Specialty-matched
No File.Business fee
What it is
Tax Preparation, plainly.
Tax preparation is a licensed profession in every US state. Only CPAs (Certified Public Accountants) and EAs (Enrolled Agents, federally licensed by the IRS) can professionally prepare and sign tax returns. File.Business is not a tax preparation firm and we do not prepare returns. What we do is curate a network of vetted partners who do.
Most tax prep matches are bad because they ignore specialty. A general CPA filing a real estate professional\u2019s return misses depreciation strategies. A general CPA filing an e-commerce return misses sales tax implications and inventory rules. Our match considers industry (real estate, SaaS, e-commerce, restaurant, professional services, healthcare), entity type, state, and prior-year complexity.
Beyond the match, your books being clean (because File.Business runs them) saves the CPA work and saves you money. Most partner CPAs charge by complexity, and a clean QBO-style export from our books shaves 30 to 50 percent off the typical engagement.
Who this is for
Common situations.
Solo foundersPersonal + business return as a package. Usually a single CPA handles both.
S-Corp ownersReasonable salary, distributions, K-1s. Specialty matching matters here.
Real estate investorsCost segregation, depreciation, 1031 exchanges. Real estate specialty essential.
E-commerceSales tax, inventory rules, COGS. E-commerce specialty matters.
International founders5472, 1120-F, BEAT. Match to a partner who handles international.
RestaurantsTip reporting, FICA tip credit, COGS. Restaurant specialty available.
What we'll set up for you
A clean handoff, in four steps.
You give us the basics. We handle the state, the IRS, and the compliance clock so you can focus on the business.
01 · Name + Brand
A name that's actually available.
Real-time check against the state register, USPTO trademark database, and matching domains.
02 · State filing
Filed with the Secretary of State.
We submit your Articles, pay the state fee on your behalf, and return the stamped certificate.
03 · Federal IDs
EIN + the right tax setup.
Federal Employer ID with the IRS, plus state tax accounts when your business needs them.
04 · Stay compliant
Registered Agent + deadline tracking.
Your agent on file in every state, with every renewal and annual report tracked in one calendar.
How it works
Four steps. We handle the rest.
ProfileIndustry, entity, states, prior-year complexity.
Match2 to 3 partner CPAs with matching specialty.
EngageEngagement letter signed directly with the CPA you pick.
FiledBooks export, CPA prepares, you review, returns filed.
Side by side
How we compare.
| Local CPA Google search | TurboTax | H&R Block | File.Business | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed | varies | no | yes | yes |
| Specialty match | no | no | no | yes |
| Books integration | manual | manual | manual | auto export |
| Multi-state | varies | paid | varies | included |
| Engagement directly with CPA | yes | no | yes | yes |
Based on publicly listed pricing and feature pages as of 2026. Competitor names are trademarks of their respective owners.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Does File.Business prepare taxes?
No. Tax preparation is a licensed profession. We connect you to licensed CPAs and Enrolled Agents.
How do you vet partners?
License verification with state boards, malpractice insurance check, customer-satisfaction tracking, and specialty review.
Cost?
Engagement fees are set by the partner CPA. Most are flat fee or hourly. Range is $400 to $4,000+ depending on complexity. Clean books reduce fees.
Can I use my own CPA?
Yes. If you have a CPA you trust, keep them. Our books export to QBO format that any CPA can use.
S-Corp election?
We file Form 2553 ourselves (see s-corp-election.html). Tax planning around the S-Corp is something your CPA discusses with you.
Multi-state?
Yes. Partners can file federal + multi-state returns. Important if you are foreign-qualified.
International founders?
Yes. Some partners specialize in non-US-person filings (Form 5472, 1120-F, BEAT).
Annual planning calls?
Most partners include 1 to 2 tax-planning calls a year. Ask the partner directly.
Audit support?
Many partners include audit support; some charge separately. We surface this in the match.
Match me to a CPA in about 5 minutes.
Tell us a few details. We do the rest. You get a single dashboard for everything.
Licensed CPAs and EAs only
Specialty-matched
No File.Business fee
How it works
How we deliver, end-to-end.
Four-step path from request to confirmation. State and IRS turnaround varies; our steps run in parallel where possible to compress the timeline.
1
Intake + scope
You tell us what you need through a short intake form (or a call for complex matters). We confirm scope, surface any gating issues (deadlines, missing documents, entity status), and quote any state fees that pass through at cost.
2
Prepare + verify
Our specialists draft the filing, verify entity details against state databases, run internal QA, and route any items needing your sign-off. You see drafts before anything gets submitted.
3
File with the authority
We submit directly to the state Secretary of State, FinCEN, IRS, USPTO, or whichever authority your filing requires. We pay state fees at cost and track the submission identifier in your account.
4
Confirmation + vault
Stamped certificate, IRS notice, or filing receipt arrives in your SOC 2 encrypted document vault the moment we receive it. Next filing deadline auto-added to your compliance calendar where applicable.
Bundle & save
Recommended add-ons
Most customers add these to keep their business compliant year-round.
Registered Agent
Most orderedRequired for every registered business entity in every state.
$99
/year
Add →
Compliance Monitoring
Best valueTrack every annual report, registered agent renewal, and license deadline.
$19
/month
Add →
Annual Report Filing
RecommendedAuto-file your state annual report. Never miss a deadline.
$99
/year
Add →