Tax Preparer
Tax Strategist, Enrolled Agent, Taxpayer Representative at
Tax Alternative Group, LLC
Poughkeepsie New York 12603
My firm, Tax Alternative Group, is a specialty tax firm located in Poughkeepsie, NY. We provide three types of service: Tax Preparation, Taxpayer Representation, and Strategic Tax Planning.
We provide tax preparation for individuals, small businesses, and trusts and estates. Our small business clients include sole proprietors, LLCs, partnerships, S Corporations and C Corporations. We also file 990-N Postcard Returns for small not for profit organizations for a nominal charge. Although general accounting is not our service, we do assist clients with bookkeeping, cleanup, filing of sales tax returns, and correction and set up of payroll services with 3rd party providers.
We specialize in representing taxpayers before the IRS and NYS Tax Department and assist with unfiled returns; representing taxpayers during audits and appeals; and negotiating payment alternatives. Only Enrolled Agents, Attorneys, and CPA may represent taxpayers before the IRA.
We conduct strategic tax planning to meet long term goals or address specific issues. We also help address the tax effectiveness of estate planning.
We are a small firm focused on client relationships. As an Enrolled Agent licensed by the US Treasury with over 30-year experience and advanced education, I am confident we will provide you with competent, and professional services.
ENROLLED AGENTS
Enrolled Agents are licensed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Only Enrolled Agents, Attorneys, and CPAs have unlimited practice rights before the IRS. Enrolled Agents are licensed to practice in all 50 states, whereas Attorneys and CPAs are generally limited to practice in their licensing state.
Enrolled Agents are admitted to practice after passing a rigorous 3 part exam that covers individual taxation, taxable entities, and IRS practice and procedures. EA’s must also complete 72 hours of continuing education every 3 years in order to renew the license. The Enrolled Agent license came about in 1884 at the end of the Civil War under the Horse Act, where these agents were authorized to represent taxpayers who had claims against the federal government for damages during the war. In 1913, the designation was specially aligned with representation before the federal tax administration. The CPA designation did not come about until 1896. Yes, the Enrolled Agent designation predates the CPA.
TAX RESOLUTION
Tax resolution is a specialty that many tax practitioners do not offer because they do not have practice rights before the IRS, lack competency in tax practice and procedure, or find that it is not a profitable area of practice. Tax resolution is also a very emotional process that often requires more compassion and empathy than traditional practitioners provide. As a local provider, The Tax Alternative Group provides a closer relationship through the resolution process and more one on one contact that the larger national firms were unable to provide.
Much of the tax resolution we provide is related to “non-filers”, taxpayers who fail to file their returns for one reason or another – usually related to some traumatic life event. Our goal is to get taxpayers back in compliance with their tax obligations so they can get on with their life. We work to prepare and file returns, reduce assessments and penalties, negotiate payment plans, and in some cases, make settlement offers for less than the full amount due.
Too many taxpayers leave their tax problems unresolved because they fear owing the tax, interest, and penalty. Unfortunately, many times taxpayers lose their due process rights because they do not act within the time allowed. The Internal Revenue Code provides many remedies and options for relief provided taxpayers are aware of and requests them within the required time frame.
ARE ALL TAX PREPARERS THE SAME?
As of November 2024, the IRS has reported that 841,513 tax preparers are registered to legally prepare federal tax returns. Of that number, 27,950 are attorneys; 210,039 are CPA, 63,559 are Enrolled Agents. The balance of tax preparers are not licensed and not subject to IRS regulation or standards of practice.
Submitted by Jayson Payne on Sunday, Jan 24, 2016
I found Mr. O'Hara on Thumbtack, and then found this listing when I Googled his name. I was very impressed with his credentials. When I spoke with him on the phone I asked him how he secured client data, as I was concerned about identity theft. I was impressed he understood my concerns and provided me with enough information that I felt I had no worries. He prepared my return while I waited and went over it with me. The only thing that would have made the experience better would be if he would have come to me and emailed me my return when it was done like my past preparer.
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Submitted by Mary on Monday, Jan 04, 2016
I was trying to renew my health insurance and they wouldn't renew it because I did not file my 2014 tax return. I called about 5 places between Christmas and New Years and no one would take my business until the Middle of January. Patrick opened up his office on Saturday 1/2/16 and prepared my returns so I could sign up for health insurance today. He was kind and very patient, and even gave me some good advice. His fee was very reasonable considering what he did for me.
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Submitted by Michael on Sunday, Jan 18, 2015
I had not filed a tax return since 2004. I tried working with two different CPAs, and just could not get it done. I started getting bills and threatening letters from the IRS and I just stopped opening them. Finally last year, the IRS levied my IRA -- the only savings I had left. I was referred to Pat O'Hara shortly thereafter and he was able to get the IRS to stop collection action. He helped me get all of my back returns from 2005-2013 filed and it reduced the amount the IRS said I owed in tax, interest, and penalties. Most importantly, he was able to get me into a Voluntary Disclosure program with NYS, where they accepted my last three years returns in exchange for my promise to remain compliant going forward. Although I still owe a lot in tax, he had me put in a uncollectable status and I have a couple months to make payment arrangements. He said that he believes that we may be able to make an offer for less than the full amount owed and that the IRS should accept that.
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Submitted by Betty Joe on Tuesday, Jan 06, 2015
We have been using Patrick to prepare our taxes since 1990, before he had his big practice. He always tells us that we were one of his first 5 clients. He has filed our returns, helped US plan for our retirements, answered our questions about our investments and social security, and he even checks in on us throughout the year to make sure we are OK. He treats us like family, and we treat him the same.
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