Instant Tax Solutions in Baltimore: Individual and Business Returns with Credentials-Based Pricing

Instant Tax Solutions is a standalone tax preparation and planning firm located in the Canton area that serves individual filers and small business owners across Baltimore County and the city. The practice is staffed by tax professionals holding either CPA or Enrolled Agent credentials, which means they carry federal approval to represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service on audits and appeals. Unlike franchise operations, this firm handles year-round tax strategy alongside seasonal return filing, making it a fit for people looking to reduce tax liability rather than simply file by April.

What Instant Tax Solutions actually is

The firm operates as a full-service tax office with two principals: one CPA and one EA (Enrolled Agent). It takes both individual and business clients, with a stated focus on clients earning under $500,000 in annual income. The practice does not handle complex partnership structures or corporate litigation, but it does file returns for self-employed individuals, Schedule C filers, pass-through entities, and small-business owners structured as LLCs or S-corporations. Its location on Conkling Street puts it near the Fells Point and Canton neighborhoods, making it accessible by car from most of central Baltimore.

Services and pricing structure

Instant Tax Solutions charges on a per-return basis rather than hourly, with prices that vary by complexity rather than a flat rate:

Individual returns: $150 to $300. The lower tier applies to straightforward W-2 filers with one home state; the higher tier covers returns with rental income, capital gains, education credits, or out-of-state income.

Small business returns (Schedule C, sole proprietor): $350 to $600, depending on whether the business has employees and whether estimated quarterly payments are required.

Business entity returns (LLC, S-corp, partnership): $800 to $1,400, with corporate returns at the top of that range.

Quarterly estimated tax planning: Priced separately at $200 per quarter or $650 annually if set up at the time of the prior-year return. This is common for self-employed people trying to avoid year-end surprises.

These prices do not include IRS representation on an audit or amended return filing, which is billed hourly at approximately $250 per hour. Request a written estimate before scheduling if audit representation is a possibility.

How Instant Tax Solutions compares to other Baltimore-area options

Baltimore hosts chain tax operations (H&R Block locations in Fells Point and Canton), independent CPAs with small practices, and accountants who bundle tax filing with bookkeeping.

Chain operations (H&R Block) typically cost $130 to $250 for basic returns and employ preparers who may not hold credentials beyond state licensing. They often upsell software and add-ons; representation fees are separate and often marked up. Service turnaround is usually fast (one to two weeks) because they prioritize volume.

Independent CPAs in Baltimore often require a minimum engagement of $1,000 to $1,500 annually because they pair tax filing with ongoing bookkeeping or payroll services. They are the right choice if you have complex deductions or business accounting needs, but they are not cost-effective for a simple return.

Instant Tax Solutions sits in the middle. It costs more than H&R Block for a complex return but less than a full-service CPA firm if you only need tax filing. Its Enrolled Agent credential means you have federal representation rights if audited, which a chain preparer does not offer. It suits clients with self-employment income or rental property who want credential-backed advice without committing to a full bookkeeping engagement.

Who it suits and who it does not

Choose Instant Tax Solutions if you:

  • Are self-employed or have rental income and want someone to explain quarterly payments and estimated tax liability.
  • Have had IRS contact in the past and want someone credentialed to handle correspondence.
  • Own a small business but do not need year-round accounting or payroll processing.
  • Want a named professional (not a rotating staff member) to handle your return each year.

Avoid it if you:

  • Only have W-2 income, no deductions, and minimal tax complexity. Use a free tool (IRS Free File if your household income is under $73,000) or a chain operation.
  • Need full bookkeeping, monthly reconciliation, or payroll processing. You need a bookkeeper or a larger accounting firm.
  • Require tax planning on the scale of a major business restructuring, held entity strategies, or merger implications. Ask for a referral to a larger firm.

What the first visit involves

Schedule a consultation by phone or in person at least two weeks before your target filing date. Bring your prior-year return and all income documents (W-2s, 1099s, rental statements, K-1s from partnerships). If you are a first-time client, expect a 30-minute intake meeting ($0 to $50 depending on complexity) during which the preparer will ask whether your filing status, number of dependents, or income sources have changed and whether you anticipate owing or receiving a refund. You will discuss estimated tax payments if you are self-employed. The preparer will give you a written estimate and a timeline (usually 7 to 14 days for a completed return). You will review the return before it is filed, and you will sign it electronically or on paper. E-filing is standard; paper filing is rare.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Instant Tax Solutions is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round, with extended hours (until 7 p.m.) from January through April. The Canton office has on-site parking for three cars and is one block from the Conkling Street lot (paid, $1 per hour). The firm does not accept walk-ins; appointments are required. Because the office is small (two to three people), wait times for non-urgent questions can run two to three weeks during tax season. Contact the firm in November or December to confirm scheduling for spring filing.

For a Baltimore individual or small-business owner who wants federal representation authority built in and returns priced transparently by complexity rather than upsells, this practice offers a middle ground between DIY and full-service accounting.