TAXATION
Tax preparation and planning — done by a CPA, reviewed by a partner.
Federal, state, and multi-state returns for individuals, S-corps, partnerships, C-corps, trusts, and estates. Roughly 300 returns a year. Every return reviewed by a partner. Every filing built for the year ahead, not just the one behind you.
~300 RETURNS/YEAR · U.S.-BASED · PARTNER-REVIEWED · YEAR-ROUND PLANNING
The Approach
Tax season shouldn't be a scramble.
Most tax firms show up in March and disappear in May. That's not how we work. Tax planning happens in June and September, with a written plan you can act on before December 31 — not a bill you find out about in April.
Tax laws change constantly. We stay one step ahead — assessing OBBBA impacts, tracking state-level PTE elections, and modeling depreciation strategy against your books in real time. When April comes, your return is a signature, not a surprise.
1040
Individuals
Wage earners, self-employed founders, entertainers, real estate investors, and high-net-worth families.
Every entity type. All 50 states.
What we prepare
1120-S
S-Corporations
Loan-outs, professional service S-corps, and small business S-corps. Reasonable comp, distributions, and K-1s handled cleanly.
1065
Partnerships & LLCs
Real estate LLCs, joint ventures, syndicates, and multi-member LLCs — including §704(b) allocations and §754 elections where they belong.
1120
C-Corporations
Closely held C-corps, foreign-owned domestic subsidiaries, and QSBS-eligible startups.
1041
Trusts & Estates
Grantor, non-grantor, and complex trusts. Fiduciary returns coordinated with your estate attorney.
Multi-State
12+ states routinely
CA, NY, NV, TX, DE, and about a dozen others our clients touch regularly. Composite, PTET, and non-resident filings included.
What planning looks like
Planning happens in June — not April.
Tax planning at Laléa & Black is a scheduled conversation, not a scramble. Mid-year and again in Q4, we cover:
- ✓Mid-year projection based on YTD books
- ✓Estimated tax analysis — federal + state, with vouchers scheduled
- ✓Retirement plan strategy — Solo 401(k), SEP, defined benefit, cash balance
- ✓Entity / structure review — is your S-corp still the right vehicle?
- ✓Depreciation & fixed asset planning — §179, bonus, cost seg where it fits
- ✓Charitable, gift, and estate planning coordination
- ✓Written summary you can share with your other advisors
What's new
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act reshapes 2025 and beyond.
OBBBA is the largest tax code shift since TCJA. We're actively modeling how it affects our clients:
01
QBI (§199A) rules
expanded thresholds, updated SSTB treatment
02
Bonus depreciation
phase-in / phase-back dynamics change 2025-2027
03
PTE elections
state-by-state calculus shifts, especially California
04
Retirement & catch-up
new SECURE 3.0 catch-up rules layered in
05
International reporting
GILTI, FDII, and foreign tax credit tweaks
06
Estate & gift
exemption sunset planning window narrows
If your CPA hasn't mentioned OBBBA to you yet in a planning conversation, that's the warning sign.
Our tax practice, answered.
What clients ask before choosing where to file.
How does Laléa & Black staff and review tax engagements?
Every tax return that leaves the firm is prepared by a U.S.-based CPA and reviewed by a partner. Every filing is built for the year ahead — not just the one behind you. Tax planning happens in June and September (with a written plan you can act on before December 31), not as a bill you find out about in April. When April comes, your return is a signature, not a surprise.
What types of tax returns does Laléa & Black prepare?
Roughly 300 returns a year across every entity type and all 50 states. Individuals (1040) — wage earners, self-employed founders, entertainers, real estate investors, high-net-worth families. S-Corporations (1120-S) — loan-outs, professional service S-corps, small business S-corps with reasonable comp, distributions, and K-1s handled cleanly. Partnerships and LLCs (1065) — real estate LLCs, joint ventures, syndicates, and multi-member LLCs including §704(b) allocations and §754 elections. C-Corporations (1120) — closely held C-corps, foreign-owned domestic subsidiaries, and QSBS-eligible startups. Trusts and Estates (1041) — grantor, non-grantor, and complex trusts coordinated with your estate attorney. Multi-state — CA, NY, NV, TX, DE, and about a dozen others our clients touch regularly, with composite, PTET, and non-resident filings.
How does Laléa & Black approach tax planning?
Planning happens in June and September — not April. Mid-year and again in Q4 we run: a mid-year projection based on YTD books, estimated tax analysis with federal and state vouchers scheduled, retirement plan strategy (Solo 401(k), SEP, defined benefit, cash balance), entity and structure review, depreciation and fixed-asset planning (§179, bonus, cost seg where it fits), charitable and estate coordination, and a written summary you can share with your other advisors. When April comes, your return is a signature — not a surprise. If your CPA hasn't mentioned OBBBA to you yet in a planning conversation, that's the warning sign.
Does Laléa & Black outsource tax preparation overseas?
No. Never. All returns are prepared by U.S.-based CPAs in our Beverly Hills office and reviewed by a partner. Your data never leaves the country. Not tax documents, not K-1s, not bank statements, not identity documents. Full stop.
Multi-state is where 90% of high-earner returns go sideways. We routinely file in California, New York, Nevada, Texas, Delaware, Washington, Oregon, and about a dozen others. Residency audits, PTE composite elections, non-resident withholding, and state K-1 apportionment — we handle it because we have to, not because it's fun.
If you moved, you filed, you owe.
For clients with international footprint: FBAR, 8938, and selective 5471/5472/8865 filings when the facts warrant. Anything more complex, we coordinate with a specialist and tell you honestly.
When things get complicated
Extended is not “late.”
A properly extended return with paid-in estimates is a filing strategy — not a red flag. When information is still open at April 15, we extend, project, and pay. Then we finish the return correctly by October. No penalties. No panic.
If you got a letter, send it to us.
IRS and state notices are our specialty. Most are resolvable within one exchange when addressed early. We handle representation on CP2000, math error notices, penalty abatements, and audit correspondence. If you got a letter — don't Google it. Send it to us.
The questions we hear most.
Common questions
What are billing practices?
All tax returns are quoted prior to preparation with a fixed or not-to-exceed fee structure. During discovery, if initial estimates require a fee adjustment, we will stop and present findings to ensure there are no billing surprises.
Do you e-file?
Everything electronically filed unless the form requires paper (some 1041, some amended, some international). All done through ProConnect Link — you sign digitally, we transmit.
Do you offer tax planning without preparation?
Yes. Planning-only engagements are quoted separately as flat-fee projects. Most planning clients eventually consolidate prep with us — but not required.
What if I owe money?
We show you before April 15 exactly what you'll owe and set up federal + state payment vouchers (or IRS Direct Pay / EFTPS instructions) with due dates. No last-minute panic.
Can you help with prior-year returns?
Yes. We regularly amend returns going back three years for missed deductions, incorrect basis, or fixed depreciation. We also file back-year returns for clients who fell behind.
Do you outsource preparation overseas?
No. Never. All returns prepared by U.S.-based CPAs in our Beverly Hills office. Reviewed by a partner. Your data never leaves the country.
Ready to file smarter
Tax done by a CPA. Reviewed by a partner.
Federal, state, multi-state, and international. Roughly 300 returns a year. Zero offshoring.