An important message about COVID-19

Dear Clients,

You knew it was coming… our communique regarding COVID-19. It’s lengthy, but please read carefully so you don’t miss important information! Here’s what we’re doing to protect you, ourselves, and our community as well as how we plan to manage the drastic change in how we prepare and deliver your tax return.

As of March 20, this is the latest news from the Treasury Department:

The 2019 tax returns and payment deadlines have been extended from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020. The reason is to allow taxpayers more time to get their tax returns prepared and payments made as a form of economic stimulus due to Coronavirus issues nationally. The Treasury also extended the first quarter payment date for estimated taxes due for 2020. The April 15, 2020 first quarter estimated payment is also extended to July 15, 2020.

We believe things will continue to change. To get you the latest information quickly, we will send out e-mails, update our website, and post to our Facebook page, facebook.com/markashmancpa

If you have not received an email from us, please check your spam/junk folder. If it's not there, please email Amy at aashman@cowestcpa.com so we can get a good address for you.

Our plan for this change will be to continue working to get returns with refunds prepared and filed by April 15, 2020. Tax returns with payments due will be done after that. If you have an alternate reason you need your tax return completed in advance of July 15, 2020, please let us know. We will adjust our resources to help meet your non-tax reporting needs wherever possible. Sometime between April 15 and July 15, we will get those returns with payments due either prepared or projected so the payment can be made. If we do a projection, you can make the payment we have calculated and we will complete preparation of your return during the remaining extension period, which ends October 15, 2020.

Phone calls and emails will need to replace our face-to-face meetings for the foreseeable future. Our staff will be working either remotely or reduced hours, but the office will be staffed during normal business hours to answer your phone calls and emails. We regret that this situation will keep us from being able to see you in person, but we’re taking the steps we believe necessary.

IF YOU NEED TO GET US DOCUMENTS:

BEST OPTION: Use our client portal, SmartVault, to transfer your remaining documents to us. If you are not already signed up, just email Amy at aashman@cowestcpa.com to get set up. It’s secure, easy, and the safest method for everyone.

MEDIUM BEST OPTION: Scan or photograph your documents and email them to us at aashman@cowestcpa.com. If you send us a picture, make sure it’s completely legible. Password protect your documents, just give us a hint about what the password is – the standard is the last four digits of a Social Security number. You need to tell us which one it is! Don’t write the password in the body of the email.

THIRD OPTION: Drop your documents into our mail slot. The mail slot is located next to the front door, which is on the west side of our building. If your document packet doesn’t fit, ring the doorbell and we’ll come to the door.

IF YOU OR WE HAVE QUESTIONS:

[if !supportLists]1. [endif]Because we are replacing face-to-face meetings with phone calls and e-mails, please use these methods if you have questions. Please remember that we’re taking these measures to protect you and others. We have staff with compromised immune systems and underlying health problems. It’s new territory for us, so we thank you for your patience and understanding.

[if !supportLists]2. [endif]We may call or email you with questions. Please respond as soon as you can so we can move forward with preparing your tax return.

WHEN YOUR TAX RETURN IS DONE:

How long will we be doing this? Impossible to know. Therefore, we are going to mail you your finished tax return. Once it’s in the mail, we’ll contact you via phone or email to let you know it’s on its way. This method will take some extra effort on your behalf because there are forms which you’ll need to sign and potentially payments you’ll need to make. Please follow the instructions we’re going to include with your tax return carefully.

We cannot file your return (and your refund can’t be issued) until we receive your signed e-file authorization forms back in our office – e-mail, mail, use SmartVault, or use our mail slot. Please don’t let the grass grow under your mailed tax return!

If your return has already been filed, please call us if you receive a notice from the IRS or have any questions. We’re happy to speak with you.

It is vitally important to us that you know we want you to understand and feel comfortable with your return. Call us if you have any questions whatsoever. You are in no way being an inconvenience by asking for clarification. We’re truly sorry to be forced to do business this way, but we’re doing it with the long-term good of our clients, staff, and community in mind.

Mark, Amy, and the rest of our great staff all wish you good health