My Office Tax & Business Services in Baltimore: Business Tax Returns and Payroll for Self-Employed Owners
My Office Tax & Business Services is a boutique tax preparation firm that specializes in small-business and self-employed tax returns, operating from a single Baltimore location. The practice focuses on owners of pass-through entities (S-corps, LLCs, partnerships) and solo proprietors who need accurate business deductions and quarterly estimated tax planning, rather than serving high-net-worth clients with complex investment portfolios or large corporate tax departments.
What the Firm Actually Does
The practice handles individual tax returns paired with business return preparation, with emphasis on extracting legitimate deductions for service businesses, contractors, and home-based operations common in the Baltimore area. It also manages payroll processing and quarterly filings for clients who employ staff. The firm does not handle audit representation or IRS litigation; clients facing an audit are referred to an enrolled agent or CPA with that specialization.
Services and Pricing Structure
Tax return preparation for self-employed and small-business clients typically starts at $300 to $400 for a straightforward sole proprietorship filed alongside a personal return, though complexity drives the fee higher. Returns involving multiple income sources, inventory, rental real estate, or pass-through entity structures (S-corp elections, multi-member LLC allocations) generally run $500 to $800 depending on the number of adjustments and schedules required. Payroll processing for one to three employees is priced around $100 to $150 per quarter, with per-employee add-ons for additional staff.
The firm charges flat fees rather than hourly rates for preparation, which means the total cost is disclosed before work begins. Clients pay at the time of return completion, not upon filing, and electronic filing fees are bundled into the preparation fee. Quarterly estimated tax payments are not prepared as a standalone service; the firm advises clients on amounts and then prepares the annual return that reconciles those estimates.
How This Firm Compares Locally
Baltimore-area tax preparers fall into three rough tiers. National tax-prep chains like H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt offer low-cost preparation (under $200 for simple returns) at multiple locations but employ seasonal staff with variable expertise and limited ability to handle multi-entity setups or payroll. Mid-market CPA firms with 5 to 15 staff members charge $600 to $1,200 for business returns and can handle audit defense and bookkeeping in addition to tax prep, but often require annual engagements and are less flexible on pricing for straightforward cases. My Office occupies the middle ground: higher in price than a national chain, lower than a full-service CPA firm, with fixed fees that suit owners who file once yearly and need payroll or quarterly planning without a retained accountant.
Choose a chain firm if your return is a W-2 earner filing standard itemized deductions and you need the cheapest option. Choose a CPA firm if you face IRS correspondence, need year-round bookkeeping, or own multiple pass-through entities with complex allocations. Choose My Office if you are a Baltimore-area sole proprietor or small-business owner with straightforward operations, you want to pay only for what you file each year, and you value one-on-one attention from someone who will walk through your deductions and estimated payments.
Who Benefits and Who Does Not
The firm is the right fit for service providers (consultants, contractors, freelancers, therapists, salons), small retailers, rental property owners, and owners of one to three employees. It serves clients who have been self-employed long enough to have organized their books and can produce clean records without forensic accounting. The practice does not serve W-2 employees with only standard deductions, high-income earners with stock options or alternative investments, clients in formal audit defense, or businesses with complex intercompany transactions.
What the First Appointment Involves
Clients call or email to schedule an intake session, typically offered on weekday mornings or early afternoons. At the first meeting, the owner reviews the prior year's return (if applicable) and collects this year's income statements, receipts for major expenses (home office, vehicle, equipment, professional services), charitable contributions, and a summary of estimated quarterly taxes paid. If the client has employees, payroll records and W-2 documentation are requested. The owner asks targeted questions about new business structures, large one-time purchases, or changes in income that signal where to look for deductions. A rough timeline to filing (usually 3 to 4 weeks) is discussed, along with the flat fee based on complexity. No pressure to file immediately; clients are encouraged to gather documents at their own pace, and the firm does not charge for consultation time if the client decides not to proceed.
Hours, Location, and Logistics
The firm operates from a single office in Baltimore, with hours typically Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and occasional extended hours by appointment during tax season (January through April). Street parking is available nearby; the office is not wheelchair-accessible on the first visit, so clients with mobility needs should confirm accessibility before scheduling. To verify current hours and request an appointment, call ahead rather than walk in.
My Office Tax & Business Services fills a specific gap for Baltimore business owners who want personalized, affordable tax prep without the overhead of a large CPA firm or the churn of a seasonal tax chain.
