Hemming Tax + Accounting in Baltimore: Focused Tax Preparation for Self-Employed and Small-Business Owners
Hemming Tax + Accounting is a 12-person CPA firm located in the Federal Hill neighborhood that specializes in tax preparation and bookkeeping for self-employed individuals and businesses under $5 million in annual revenue. The practice does not prepare returns for large corporate clients or manage institutional wealth; instead, it serves as a hands-on, relationship-based alternative to national tax chains and solo preparers, with most principals spending time directly on client accounts rather than exclusively managing staff.
What Hemming Tax + Accounting actually is
The firm operates as a traditional CPA partnership, not a seasonal tax-filing outlet. All tax preparers hold CPA credentials; the two founding principals, both Maryland-licensed, have 15+ years of combined experience in small-business tax strategy and bookkeeping integration. The firm works year-round, not only during tax season, and typically schedules engagement conversations in November or December for the upcoming tax year. Most clients work with the same preparer annually, which means your return is handled by someone who knows your business structure and prior filings, not rotated to whoever is available in April.
Services and pricing
The firm offers three primary services: individual tax preparation, business tax preparation (partnership, S-corp, LLC, and sole proprietor returns), and ongoing bookkeeping. Individual 1040 returns for straightforward W-2 employees start at $400 and typically cost between $400 and $900 depending on deductions and complexity. Self-employed and Schedule C filers (online sellers, freelancers, gig workers) range from $600 to $1,500 if the business operates alongside W-2 income; solo self-employed individuals (all Schedule C revenue) typically run $500 to $1,200.
Business entity returns (Form 1120S, 1065, 1120) are priced on engagement basis and require a consultation to estimate. The firm charges a project fee rather than hourly rate for most tax returns; this means you pay a fixed amount regardless of how long the work takes, not $250 to $350 per hour billed. Monthly bookkeeping retainers start at $400 for simple sole proprietorships and can reach $1,500 to $2,500 for growing businesses with multiple employees, inventory, or complex revenue streams. These fees should be confirmed directly, as retainer pricing varies by account complexity and service scope.
How Hemming compares to other Baltimore tax services
Baltimore-area tax preparation runs a wide spectrum. National chains like H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt offer walk-in seasonal service, with 1040 returns typically priced between $150 and $400; these are suitable for straightforward W-2 filers but do not include year-round advisory or ongoing relationship management. Local bookkeeping franchises and independent bookkeepers (hourly rates between $25 and $60 per hour) handle ongoing ledger work but often do not hold CPA credentials and may not prepare final tax returns; they serve as data processors rather than strategists.
Solo CPA practitioners and small two-person firms are common in Baltimore; they often charge lower per-return fees (sometimes $300 to $600 for basic returns) but may operate only during tax season or handle overflow work inconsistently. Hemming's distinction is its fixed project-fee structure, year-round availability, and the guarantee that a CPA (not a tax technician or bookkeeper) prepares your return. The trade-off is that Hemming costs more than seasonal tax-prep chains and solo practitioners but less than large regional accounting firms, which typically target businesses over $10 million in revenue.
Choose a national chain if your return is simple and you need quick turnaround at minimal cost. Choose a solo preparer if you value personal connection and want to spend less per return. Choose Hemming if you have self-employment income, changing tax situations year to year, or need someone who understands your business structure and can advise on tax planning, not just file your return.
Who it suits and who it does not
Hemming is well-suited for freelancers, consultants, small-business owners (especially those with multiple revenue streams or recent business formation), and W-2 employees with significant investment or rental income. The firm also works with clients transitioning from sole proprietorships to LLC or S-corp status, where the tax strategy and entity choice matter significantly.
Hemming does not serve households looking for minimal cost or purely transactional tax filing. If your only income is W-2 wages and standard deductions, a tax-prep chain or free filing option (IRS Free File if eligible) will be cheaper. The firm also does not manage investments or provide comprehensive financial planning; if you need portfolio advice alongside tax strategy, you would want a fee-only financial advisor, not a tax CPA.
What the first visit involves
Initial consultations are conducted by phone or in-person at the Federal Hill office. You provide a summary of income sources, prior-year return if available, and business structure if applicable. The principal or senior preparer will ask about anticipated changes (new business, major deductions, life events) and explain the service scope and fee. Many clients then sign an engagement letter and provide documents (1098s, 1099s, business income records, prior-year return) either at a second meeting or by secure upload. First returns typically take 2 to 4 weeks after document collection; Hemming aims to have draft returns ready for client review before final filing.
Hours, location, and logistics
The firm is located at 1012 Light Street in Federal Hill, near the harbor and within a five-minute walk of paid street parking and nearby garages. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday year-round; during tax season (January through April), extended hours may be available by request. Verification note: hours during peak tax season should be confirmed by calling 410-837-5500 or checking the firm website, as temporary changes are common.
Hemming serves as a meaningful alternative to impersonal tax chains and overstretched solo practitioners for Baltimore small-business owners who value consistency, credentialed expertise, and year-round access to someone who understands their business.
