What Does Tax Preparation Cost?
Transparent tax preparation pricingFor most people, a tax return costs about $220 to $600. The price depends on the number and type of forms you file, not your zip code. A simple W-2 return sits at the low end. Self-employment, rental income, multiple states, or a business entity moves it higher. The Wozny Tax Company, a Mokena, IL CPA firm, breaks down what drives the cost so you know what to expect before you ever sit down.
What drives your tax preparation price
A simple return
One or two W-2s, the standard deduction, and a single state return is the least expensive kind of return to prepare. This is the path our personal income tax preparation covers.
Itemized deductions
Switching from the standard deduction to a Schedule A with mortgage interest, charitable gifts, and medical costs adds time.
Self-employment or a side business
A Schedule C, business mileage, a home office, and quarterly estimates all add complexity.
Investments and rentals
Schedule D capital gains, Schedule E rental property, and K-1s from partnerships each add forms.
Multiple states
Moving mid-year, or working across the Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin lines, means more than one state return.
A business entity
An S corporation (Form 1120-S) or partnership (Form 1065) return is a separate, more involved filing than a personal 1040. See our business tax preparation in Mokena.
Prior-year cleanup
Amended returns, or catching up on a missed year, take extra work. Because complexity drives the price, two neighbors can pay very different fees for the same preparer, and that is normal.
Tax Preparation Fee Guide (National Averages)
So what are the actual numbers? The figures below are national averages from industry fee surveys, gathered to give you a realistic range. They are not a quote from The Wozny Tax Company, and your price will track your specific forms.
| Return type | What it usually includes | Typical national range |
|---|---|---|
| Simple W-2 return | One or two W-2s, standard deduction, one state | Around $220 |
| Itemized individual return | Form 1040 with Schedule A and a state return | $300 to $400 |
| Self-employed or investment return | Schedule C, D, or E added to the 1040 | $400 to $600 and up |
| CPA-prepared individual return | Varies with the forms involved | $220 to $800 |
| Business entity return | S corporation (1120-S) or partnership (1065) | Higher, commonly $750 and up |
These are national averages, not a quote from The Wozny Tax Company. Complexity, not location, drives most of the price. Ask any preparer for a written estimate before work begins so there are no surprises.
For a sense of how this maps to services, a straightforward filing fits our tax preparation services, while a return with a business or multiple states usually costs more because of the added forms.
How to compare tax preparers fairly
Get a written estimate
A reputable preparer will quote from your documents and put it in writing.
Check credentials
A CPA is state licensed with broad accounting training. An Enrolled Agent is federally licensed in taxation. Both can represent you before the IRS. Ask for a valid IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Meet the team at The Wozny Tax Company.
Watch for red flags
Avoid anyone who sets their fee as a percentage of your refund. A slightly higher fee that includes a careful review and IRS representation is often the better deal.
Tax Preparation Cost: Frequently Asked Questions
Tax Preparation Service Area From Our Mokena, IL Office
Address
The Wozny Tax Company
9400 Bormet Dr, Suite 7, Mokena, IL 60448
Phone: 708.479.1700
Business Hours
Monday: 9:00 AM– 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM– 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM– 4:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM– 4:00 PM
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Service Area