Taxes are not just a once-a-year obligation — they are one of the biggest financial levers available to individuals, business owners, and growing families. At Compass CPA, your financial navigator based in Bend, Oregon, we have built our practice around helping clients take control of that lever. Whether you are filing a straightforward return or navigating complex multi-entity business structures, our team brings the depth of experience and the strategic mindset needed to deliver real results.
Our expertise spans individual income tax, corporate tax, estate tax, and international tax issues. We stay continuously abreast of evolving tax laws and regulations — so our clients never have to. From proactive tax planning and tax compliance services to IRS representation and business formation, we serve as a single, trusted resource for your entire tax life.
We offer income tax return services for both individuals and businesses. Having your accounting and tax preparation handled in one place makes the process seamless — we are already familiar with your numbers before your return is ever started. We can also provide estimates on the tax implications of any new transactions you are considering. Whether we handle your accounting or not, give us a call: we will review last year’s return and provide a free estimate.
Our Tax Services: Two Core Pillars
We are here to serve your personal and business needs across the full tax spectrum — from basic business compliance like tax preparation and filing, all the way to advanced tax planning and strategies that put real money back in your pocket.
Tax Compliance
Our Tax Compliance services are designed for everyone — from the average W-2 employee to the serial entrepreneur to the growing corporation. This is a baseline service package that involves annual tax preparation, filing, and keeping you compliant in up to two states.
We help drive the annual tax cycle beginning in January with an outreach to kick things off with our data request checklist and optional client organizer. We guide you through the filing process to a timely completion. We also look at your local, state, and federal compliance requirements to create an annual compliance calendar and checklist — giving you the peace of mind that your business is operating above the line. This includes preparation of local business licenses, property taxes, state SOS filings, state franchise fees, and federal 1099 forms.
This service is for everyone who wants a professional’s eyes on their tax returns and business compliance.
Tax Planning Service: Three Levels Built for Your Growth
Our tax planning service goes beyond basic compliance. It takes a proactive approach to tax planning and strategies, implementation, and annual management — while giving you everything you need to be audit-proof. These services are designed for the quickly growing W-2 employee, the solopreneur, the serial entrepreneur, or the high net-worth family or individual. We have three levels of service, and they all pay for themselves one way or another.
So how does tax planning work? Simply put, it is a year-round, proactive process where we analyze your financial picture, identify legal strategies to minimize your tax liability, and implement those strategies before the tax year closes. It is the difference between reacting to your taxes and controlling them.
1. TaxLITE — Starting at $1,000
Our baseline tax planning offering, TaxLITE, is ideal for anyone quickly growing their household income or running a business. The main focus is to advise you on a quarterly basis on whether your tax liability has been properly paid — helping you avoid unnecessary penalties and interest. The average business owner or bracket-climbing W-2 employee does not properly pay their estimated taxes, which often costs them thousands of dollars in penalties. This service builds a quarterly tax liability calculator that determines your estimated tax payment needs. We facilitate quarterly payments on your behalf and help you file your tax return with little to no amount due — and hopefully a small refund.
2. TaxCORE — Starting at $2,000
TaxCORE is geared toward the business owner or serial entrepreneur who is building their business, accumulating personal wealth, and needs both long-term plans and short-term tax mitigation strategies. We create an opportunity report based on 10 core tax planning and strategies that, on average, save our clients between $10,000 and $50,000. The IRS requires strict reporting and record-keeping to ensure you pass an audit — and we ensure compliance through templated, diligent procedures and documentation. At the end of the year, this service pays for itself and shifts large sums of cash from the IRS back to your pockets.
3. LifeMAX — Quoted Based on Scope
Our most comprehensive offering, LifeMAX, is focused around the successful business owner who has accumulated material wealth and needs a trusted tax and personal financial advisor under one roof. This service builds, implements, and manages a comprehensive plan for your business and personal financial life — integrating everything into one holistic financial life plan. We partner with our preferred financial advisor team to connect you with the nation’s best legal, wealth management, banking, insurance, operations, risk management, marketing, and other specialist advisory services. We act as your north star and trusted guide to financial growth, strategy, and planning.
The Benefits of Working With Us
When you work with our team, you gain more than just someone to prepare your taxes. You gain a financial partner committed to your success. Here is what sets our tax services apart:
- Expert Guidance. Our team of seasoned tax professionals navigates complex tax situations every day — from individual income tax and corporate tax to estate and international tax issues. You get knowledgeable, strategic advice tailored specifically to your financial picture.
- Comprehensive Support. We cover the full spectrum — from basic individual tax returns to advanced business planning, multi-state compliance, IRS representation, and holistic wealth management. Whether you are a W-2 employee or a high net-worth entrepreneur, we have a service built for you.
- Proactive Tax Planning. We do not just react to your taxes — we stay ahead of them. Our proactive approach means strategies are identified and implemented throughout the year, not just at filing time. This is what keeps money in your pocket and out of the IRS’s hands.
- Satisfaction & Convenience. Having your accounting and tax preparation under one roof makes everything easier. We are already familiar with your numbers, which means fewer back-and-forth requests, faster turnaround, and a smoother filing experience from start to finish.
- Staying Abreast with Tax Laws. Tax laws change constantly. Our team continuously monitors legislative updates at the local, state, and federal level so you never get caught off guard. You can count on us to apply the latest rules and opportunities to your situation every single year.
Transparent Pricing
We believe in clear, upfront pricing. Individual tax returns start at $125 for a basic 1040A and go up depending on schedules and complexity. Business returns range from $1,000 for small filers under $1M in annual revenues to $3,000 for large filers above $5M. For other tax services, tax research and QuickBooks cleanup are billed at $175/hour, while tax planning and strategy and IRS representation are billed at $200/hour. We also offer a free 30-minute engagement consultation to get started.
Discounts are available: dependent tax returns receive 50% off, and married filing separate (both spouses) receives 30% off. Electronic filing and direct deposit are always at no charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between tax compliance and tax planning?
Tax compliance refers to meeting your legal obligations — filing accurate tax returns on time, paying what you owe, and staying current with local, state, and federal requirements. Tax planning goes further: it is a proactive, year-round effort to legally reduce your tax burden through strategic decisions made before the tax year ends.
How does tax planning work?
Tax planning works by analyzing your current financial situation, projecting your income and deductions, and identifying legal strategies to minimize your taxable income. We implement those strategies throughout the year — adjusting estimated payments, optimizing entity structure, managing retirement contributions, and more — so that by the time you file, your tax liability has already been reduced.
Who should consider a tax planning service?
Anyone whose income is growing, anyone who owns a business, and any high net-worth individual or family should seriously consider enrolling in a tax planning service. If you are a W-2 employee climbing tax brackets, a solopreneur, a serial entrepreneur, or a high-earner with complex transactions, proactive planning can save you thousands — or even tens of thousands — per year.
Can you handle both my accounting and my tax return?
Yes. Having both your accounting and tax preparation done in one place makes the process seamless. Since we are already familiar with the amounts in your books, the transition to your tax return is smooth and accurate. However, if you only need tax preparation and someone else handles your accounting, we are happy to help with that as well.
How much can I realistically save with TaxCORE?
On average, our TaxCORE clients save between $10,000 and $50,000 annually through our 10 core tax strategies. The exact savings depend on your business structure, income level, and which strategies apply to your situation. We create a custom opportunity report to show you exactly where the savings are.
What does your free consultation include?
Our free 30-minute engagement consultation gives you the chance to discuss your tax situation with one of our professionals. If you are considering tax return preparation, we will look at last year’s return and provide a free estimate. It is a no-pressure way to explore how we can help you.
Ready to Take Control of Your Taxes?
Whether you need basic tax preparation or a full-scale, proactive tax planning and strategies engagement, we have a service level built for you. Our team is ready to be your financial navigator — helping you stay compliant, reduce your liability, and build lasting financial strength. Give us a call today and let us show you what smarter tax planning looks like.
If you own investment property and you are not leveraging cost segregation studies, you are almost certainly overpaying on your taxes. It is one of the most powerful — and most underutilized — tax strategies available to real estate investors, business owners, and short-term rental operators alike. Based in Bend, Oregon, Compass CPA PC was built on the principle of being your financial navigator, and cost segregation is one of the cornerstones of what we do.
Our team brings deep expertise in cost segregation analysis, asset classification, component valuation, and cost-estimating strategies — the technical building blocks that transform how property owners depreciate their assets and significantly reduce what they owe. We thoroughly verify that property expenses are properly distributed and that costs among different components are accurately categorized, ensuring nothing is left on the table.
