Tax Questions, Answered Clearly

Yes. Talar Hanounek is a Certified Public Accountant licensed by the California Board of Accountancy, license #161519, issued January 16, 2026. You can verify the license on the California Department of Consumer Affairs website.

I prepare individual federal and California income tax returns. That includes returns for self-employed people and small business owners who report business income on Schedule C: freelancers, independent contractors, gig workers, sole proprietors, and single-member LLC owners taxed as sole proprietors.

No. I don't prepare partnership (Form 1065) or S-corporation (Form 1120-S) returns, and I don't offer bookkeeping. My work is individual returns, including Schedule C for sole proprietors and single-member LLCs taxed as sole proprietorships.

I serve all of Los Angeles, mainly the San Fernando Valley, including Burbank, Glendale, North Hollywood, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino and Van Nuys. My office address is in Burbank.

Fees depend on the complexity of your return. I offer a free initial consultation, and I'll explain the fee before any work begins.

No. No honest tax preparer can guarantee a refund or a specific result. I prepare an accurate return based on your documents and current law, claim the deductions and credits you legitimately qualify for, and explain the outcome.

Talar speaks English, Armenian and Arabic, so you can choose the language you're most comfortable with. Federal and California returns are filed in English. This website is also available in Հայերեն and العربية.

Yes. We can meet by phone or video, and you can send your documents securely, electronically. If you prefer, we can also meet in person at my Burbank office.

You can send them securely, electronically, or drop them off in person at my Burbank office. Please don't send Social Security numbers or tax documents by regular, unencrypted email.

Yes. The first consultation is free, by phone, video or in person. It's a chance to talk through your situation and what I would need from you.

For most individuals, federal and California returns for tax year 2025 were due April 15, 2026. With an extension, the filing deadline was October 15, 2026. An extension extends the time to file, not the time to pay. If you haven't filed yet, file as soon as possible, since penalties and interest generally continue to grow.

For tax year 2026, federal estimated payments are due April 15, 2026, June 15, 2026, September 15, 2026 and January 15, 2027. California uses the same dates but different percentages: 30% in April, 40% in June, 0% in September and 30% in January. If a date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the next business day counts.

Generally, yes, if you expect to owe at least $1,000 in federal tax for the year after withholding and credits, or at least $500 in California tax ($250 if married/RDP filing separately). This is common for self-employed people, landlords and investors whose income has no withholding.

The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%: 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. It generally applies when your net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more. The Social Security part stops at an annual earnings limit, and an additional 0.9% Medicare tax can apply to higher earners. You can deduct the employer-equivalent portion when figuring adjusted gross income.

Schedule C (Form 1040), Profit or Loss From Business, is where sole proprietors and most single-member LLC owners report business income and expenses. The net profit carries to your Form 1040 and is generally subject to income tax and self-employment tax.

Under current federal law, payment apps and online marketplaces must issue Form 1099-K when your payments for goods or services exceed $20,000 and more than 200 transactions in a year. Some send one for lower amounts, and card processors report any amount. Either way, you must report all of your business income, with or without a 1099.

Usually, a Form 1099-NEC means a business paid you as an independent contractor rather than an employee. That income generally goes on Schedule C, and you may owe self-employment tax and need to make estimated payments.

For tax year 2025, the federal standard deduction is $15,750 for single or married filing separately, $31,500 for married filing jointly or qualifying surviving spouse, and $23,625 for head of household. For 2026 it is $16,100, $32,200 and $24,150. Higher amounts apply if you are 65 or older or blind.

Bring last year's returns, all W-2s and 1099s, Form 1098 for mortgage interest, Form 1095-A if you had Covered California coverage, childcare and education records, records of estimated payments, and bank information for direct deposit. Self-employed clients should also bring income records, expense receipts and a mileage log.