Frequently Asked Questions for e-Commerce
POLARIS TAX & ACCOUNTING
I own an e-Commerce business; do you offer a free consultation? We offer a Virtual Discovery Session via Go to Meeting to help identify your Accounting and Tax needs. This free consultation is designed to determine whether we are a good fit for you and what services would make sense for your situation.
What is the advantage of working with Polaris Tax & Accounting? We take a holistic and proactive approach to Accounting and Tax needs compared to most reactive accounting firm. You can learn more about our unique proactive process by clicking here.
How fast can I get started? All we require is to complete our initial onboarding questionnaire and sign our Letter of Engagement. Usually we can have your account up and running within a few hours.
I’m just starting a new e-Commerce business, can you help with the formation of my business entity i.e. LLC, Corp etc…? Yes, we can help you setup a business entity in virtually any state within the United States.
How often can I speak to my Accountant? Our accounting firm is available by phone and email to answer any questions you may have. You are also welcomed to schedule a meeting directly from our website by selecting a date and time that best aligns with your schedule.
Do you handle Sales Tax Reporting? We work closely with our third-party partners like TaxJar to make sure all of your Sales Tax reporting is accurate and filed with the appropriate States. While we do not directly file your Sales Tax, we work with TaxJar to setup your account, assist during Sales Tax audits, and evaluate which States you might need to file.
Are my services outsourced to another country? Absolutely not! Our firm and its staff is located in the US.
Can you assist with payroll? We partner with Gusto for payroll and Human Resources needs.
What is a Virtual Accounting Firm? Our Firm is completely virtual, and we work with clients across the United States. Without expensive brick and mortar offices, we can reduce overhead costs, create a better work-life balance for our employees and, provide a more efficient process for our clients. Click here to learn more about the benefits of working with a Virtual Accounting Firm.
My books are a mess, can you help? Yes, we can assist in bringing your financial records up to speed. We can bring your business in compliance by filing any missing Tax Returns or amend existing returns previously filed.
How will you bill me?? Once you sign the initial Letter of Engagement, we will bill your Credit Card on file and continue to do so each month on the same date.
As a Virtual Firm how do we meet with clients? We use virtual video conference technology to meet with our clients throughout the United States.
How do we exchange sensitive documents? All sensitive documentation is sent and received through our secure portal with multi-layer encryption technology to keep your information safe and confidential.
What are the benefits of working with an Accountant vs. managing my own Accounting and Tax? Accounting and Tax compliance are an essential part of running your business. While DIY Accounting and Tax Software might appear to be “easy” to use, without a background in Accounting and Taxation you could be making some costly mistakes that could result in penalties and fines. Click here to learn more about the benefits of working with an Accountant.
What makes your approach to Accounting and Tax different from other firms? We don’t just focus on compliance work by maintaining your accounting records and filing your tax returns, we focus on identifying planning opportunities and tax reduction strategies before tax season. Click here to learn more about our Proactive approach to Accounting and Tax.
What is your pricing structure, do you charge by the hour? Most of our engagements are based on a flat monthly fee. Our Service Packages are built around the various stages of your business, from Startup to Mature, our pricing model is customized to your unique needs and business situation. During our initial discovery meeting, we review your needs and provide you with a proposal that is customized to you.
If I get audited by the IRS can you represent me? Our firm can represent you before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service for audits, collections, and appeals.
Should I work with an Accounting Firm if I am starting a new business? We highly suggest you contact an accountant if you are starting a new business. We can help you evaluate the organization of your company for tax purposes as well as numerous other issues related to the operations of your business. Without this critical advice, you could be making decisions that could result in fines, penalties, and higher tax liabilities.
How do I know which Accounting Firm is best for me? When choosing an Accounting Firm, you should do so not based on pricing but on the type of engagement you are looking to establish with your Accountant. Are you looking for an Accounting Firm that can be a trusted advisor? Are you looking for an Accounting Firm that takes a proactive approach to your financial needs? If you answered yes to these questions, then call us for a free consultation.
What accounting system do you use? We primarily use two systems: Xero and QuickBooks Online.