Cash Bookkeeping & Tax Service in Baltimore: Dual-Service Setup for Small Business and Individual Tax Filing

Cash Bookkeeping & Tax Service is a two-person bookkeeping and tax preparation firm operating in Baltimore since the mid-2000s, serving small business owners and individual filers who need hands-on record-keeping alongside tax compliance.

What it actually is

Cash Bookkeeping & Tax Service operates as a hybrid practice: bookkeeping for small business (primarily sole proprietors and partnerships) and tax preparation for both business and individual returns. The firm is not a CPA firm; the principal holds an Enrolled Agent (EA) credential, which qualifies them to represent clients before the IRS and sign tax returns. For bookkeeping clients, the firm uses QuickBooks and handles transaction entry, reconciliation, and monthly financial summaries. Tax preparation covers 1040s, Schedules C (self-employment), corporate returns, and quarterly estimated tax planning. The firm does not offer accounting consulting, audit representation, or bookkeeping for entities with over 50 transactions per month.

Services and pricing

Bookkeeping is charged at an hourly rate of $60 to $75 per hour depending on complexity; most small business clients spend $150 to $300 per month for monthly reconciliation and reporting (12 to 24 hours annually). Monthly retainers are available for ongoing clients. Tax preparation starts at $300 for a straightforward 1040 without self-employment income and ranges to $600 to $900 for a business owner with Schedule C, quarterly estimates, and state returns. Corporate returns and partnership returns cost $400 to $700. Prices may increase annually; confirm current rates directly. The firm does not charge flat fees; all pricing is based on time spent or service scope. No virtual-only option is available; all work is done by appointment at the office location in Fells Point.

How it compares to other Baltimore options

In Baltimore's bookkeeping landscape, Cash Bookkeeping & Tax Service fills a narrow middle ground. Larger accounting firms (such as regional CPA practices with 20+ staff) offer broader services—audit, forensic work, and large-company tax planning—but charge $150 per hour and up and often require monthly minimums of $500 or more. Solo bookkeeping services and fractional CFO consultants in Baltimore focus on advisory work and QuickBooks setup rather than month-to-month reconciliation. Tax preparation at national chains (H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt) in Baltimore runs $150 to $400 for simple returns and $400 to $600 for self-employed filers but employs IRS-certified tax preparers, not EAs, and does not offer ongoing bookkeeping. For a sole proprietor in Baltimore wanting both bookkeeping and tax filing under one roof at true hourly cost, Cash Bookkeeping & Tax Service is among the few independent options; for a business with complex payroll or multistate compliance, or an individual needing year-round tax planning, a full CPA firm is better suited.

Who it suits and who it does not

This firm is best for Baltimore-based self-employed professionals, contractors, and small business owners (under $500,000 annual revenue) who want straightforward bookkeeping and a tax preparer who understands their P&L. It works well for individuals with sole proprietor income, rental properties with few transactions, and retired individuals filing 1040s with modest complexity. It does not suit business owners with 10+ employees (payroll adds scope beyond the firm's model), multi-entity structures, or those needing real-time advisory or business strategy guidance. It is also not a fit for clients requiring CPA-level audit or forensic services, or for those who prefer remote-only service.

What the first visit involves

Bookkeeping clients meet at the office to review their current record-keeping (bank statements, invoices, existing spreadsheets, or QuickBooks file). The principal assesses what transactions need to be entered and how often, discusses monthly reporting needs, and estimates monthly hours. A written engagement letter outlines hourly rates, reporting deliverables, and payment terms (invoiced monthly). Tax clients bring prior-year tax returns, W-2s or 1099s, business profit-and-loss statements, and itemized deductions. The principal conducts an intake interview to confirm filing status, income sources, and estimated quarterly tax liability. Tax prep typically requires one in-person visit to collect documents and one to review the completed return before filing. Turnaround is 2 to 3 weeks for tax prep if documents are complete.

Hours, location, and logistics

Cash Bookkeeping & Tax Service is located in Fells Point, Baltimore (specific address available through direct contact). Hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with appointment-only scheduling. There is street parking on Fells Point Avenue and nearby lot parking; no dedicated office lot. The firm does not offer evening or weekend hours. Tax season (January through April) books out 3 to 4 weeks in advance; bookkeeping clients are typically scheduled for monthly check-ins on a recurring basis. All bookkeeping and tax work is conducted in-office; no virtual consultations are available, though clients can submit documents by email or mail to start an engagement.

Cash Bookkeeping & Tax Service persists because it does one thing well: marry monthly bookkeeping with annual tax preparation for the small business owner who cannot justify a full CPA relationship but needs more than a DIY spreadsheet and a tax-prep chain.