47: How Virtual Tax Prep Can Be A Better Experience For Tax Pros and Taxpayers

Taxgirl Podcast

Many tax accounting firms were busy in 2020 despite the challenges of the pandemic, but not all of them experienced record-breaking positive growth. By staying on top of new technology and offering online tax services with the best tax software, preparers spend more time with clients, and taxpayers have a more streamlined, stress-free filing season.

A virtual tax preparation service can be a better experience for both clients and tax professionals

On today’s episode of the Taxgirl podcast, Kelly is joined by Donald Nelson, EA, Senior Partner and Tax Advisor at DBN Tax. After getting his accounting degree, Donald cut his teeth in the private sector by facilitating busy filing seasons at the family practice his parents started together. After a few years as an auditor for the IRS, he took over his parents’ family practice firm in 2005, and has grown it into DBN Tax: a thriving tax accounting firm with three partners, three locations, and clients all over the country. The firm grew by 35% in 2020 during the pandemic by taking advantage of what he terms “a digital revolution,” He now strongly believes every tax professional should be running online tax services and utilizing the best tax software.

Listen to Kelly and Donald talk about facilitating online tax services:

• How to generate growth for the firm when business is hectic
• Adapting to changing technology with enthusiasm and grace
• Does spending more to make more apply to tax accountants?
• How to decide whether to invest in tax projection software
• Choosing the best tax software for your firm’s process
• Are clients bothered by increasingly automated business processes?
• Why embracing technology during the pandemic helped grow a virtual tax practice
• How increased filing automation gives you more personal time with clients
• Is having a brick-and-mortar office still necessary while running online tax services?
• How to account for situations that won’t accept an e-file
• What if technology changes and documents in the cloud can’t be read?
• The first steps to start a more virtual tax practice

More about Kelly Phillips Erb:

Kelly is the creator and host of the Taxgirl podcast series. Kelly is a practicing tax attorney with considerable experience and knowledge. She works with taxpayers like you every day. One of the things that she does is help folks out of tax jams, and hopefully, keep others from getting into them.

Links mentioned:

Kelly’s Website – TaxgirlDonald’s Firm -- WebsitePace Setter Tax -- Website