Business Tax Preparation in Maryland — Accurate, Compliant, and Filed on Time

Business taxes are more complex than personal returns — and the cost of errors is higher. I'm Kevin Burdett, a tax professional based in Columbia, Maryland, with over 20 years of experience preparing business returns for LLCs, S-Corps, sole proprietors, and startups across Maryland.

Act Fast

Deadlines Matter

20+

Years Tax Experience

MD + US

Local & Remote

1:1

Direct Access to Kevin

Why Business Owners Call Me

Business Tax Preparation That's Personal Not Processed

Business tax returns carry real stakes — missed deductions cost money, filing errors trigger notices, and choosing the wrong approach for your entity structure can have consequences that follow you for years. Most business owners don’t have the time to stay on top of all of it, and shouldn’t have to.

When business owners work with me on their tax return, they work with me directly. I understand their books, their entity structure, and their industry — and I prepare a return that reflects their actual financial situation accurately and completely.

“You’ll never hand your return to someone who doesn’t know your business. I prepare it personally — and I’m accessible when questions come up.”

I specialize in business tax preparation for Maryland small businesses, LLCs, S-Corps, sole proprietors, startups, and independent professionals. My goal is straightforward: accurate returns, every deduction you’re entitled to, and no surprises at filing time.

What I Prepare

Business Tax Returns for Every Entity Type

From sole proprietors filing Schedule C to S-Corps filing Form 1120-S — I handle each entity type accurately and with full understanding of the tax implications specific to your structure.

Sole Proprietor Tax Returns (Schedule C)

If you operate as a sole proprietor or single-member LLC taxed as a sole proprietor, your business income and expenses flow through your personal return via Schedule C. Getting it right means capturing every legitimate deduction.

Services Include:

  • Schedule C income & expense preparation
  • Business deduction review & optimization
  • Home office & vehicle deduction calculation
  • Self-employment tax calculation
  • Estimated tax planning for the year ahead

LLC & Partnership Tax Returns (Form 1065)

Multi-member LLCs and partnerships file Form 1065, with income and deductions flowing to each partner or member via Schedule K-1. These returns require careful attention to ownership structure and allocations.

Services Include:

  • Form 1065 partnership return preparation
  • Schedule K-1 preparation for each partner
  • Profit & loss allocation by ownership percentage
  • Guaranteed payment reporting
  • Maryland state partnership return

S-Corporation Tax Returns (Form 1120-S)

S-Corps offer real tax advantages — but only when the return is prepared correctly. Reasonable officer compensation, shareholder distributions, and basis tracking all need to be handled with precision.

Services Include:

  • Form 1120-S S-Corp return preparation
  • Schedule K-1 for each shareholder
  • Officer compensation vs. distribution planning
  • Shareholder basis tracking
  • Maryland state S-Corp return

Startup & Early-Stage Business Tax Returns

Startups and early-stage businesses face unique tax situations — startup cost deductions, initial loss reporting, and choosing the right entity structure all have long-term consequences. I help new businesses get it right from day one.

Services Include:

  • Startup cost deduction planning (Section 195)
  • First-year return preparation & filing
  • Entity structure review & recommendations
  • Initial loss reporting & carryforward
  • Investor-ready financial documentation

Proactive Tax Planning

Tax Planning Year-Round — Not Just at Filing Time

Filing a business tax return is one thing. Reducing what you legally owe before the return is prepared is another. I help business owners think ahead — identifying deductions, planning for estimated payments, and making decisions throughout the year that reduce the tax bill at year-end.

Waiting until tax season to think about taxes almost always costs more. Proactive planning, based on your actual income and expenses, puts you in a better position every April.

What Tax Planning Covers

Stay Ahead of Your Tax Liability

  • Quarterly estimated tax payment calculation
  • Year-end deduction timing strategy
  • Retirement contribution planning (SEP-IRA, Solo 401k)
  • Section 179 & bonus depreciation planning
  • Entity structure review for tax efficiency

Notice Assistance

Business Tax Notice From the IRS or Maryland — I Can Help

Business tax notices from the IRS or Maryland Comptroller’s office are stressful — but most have a clear resolution when addressed promptly and correctly. The worst response is to ignore them.

I can review your notice, explain what it means for your business in plain language, and guide you through the response process. Whether it’s a simple discrepancy or a more complex issue, I’ll help you handle it directly and get it resolved.

IRS & State Tax Notices

Received a Business Tax Notice? Don’t Ignore It.

  • IRS notice review & plain-language explanation
  • Response preparation & filing guidance
  • Maryland state tax authority notices
  • Amended return preparation if needed
  • Back tax & unfiled return resolution

Who I Serve

Industries & Business Types I Work With

Over 20 years of business tax experience across a wide range of industries — each with its own tax considerations and compliance requirements.

Healthcare & Medical Practices

Dentists, chiropractors, therapists, and medical practices with practice-specific tax needs.

Construction & Trades

Contractors, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC companies with project-based income and equipment deductions.

Professional Services

Law firms, consultants, architects, and engineers with service-based income and specific deduction needs.

Retail & E-Commerce

Online sellers, boutiques, and retailers with inventory, cost of goods, and platform fee deductions.

Startups & SaaS Companies

Early-stage businesses and tech companies needing clean, investor-ready tax filings from day one.

Restaurants & Hospitality

Cafes, bars, catering businesses, and restaurants with high-volume, tight-margin tax situations.

Real Estate Investors

Property investors and landlords with depreciation, rental income, and expense deduction needs.

Nonprofits & Small Charities

Small nonprofits needing accurate financial reporting and compliance-ready tax documentation.

Freelancers & Solo Founders

Self-employed professionals and independent contractors with Schedule C and estimated tax needs.

Common Challenges

If Any of These Sound Familiar, I Can Help

These are the most common business tax problems Maryland business owners face before reaching out.

Surprise Tax Bill at Year-End

No estimated payments were made — or they weren't calculated correctly — and the bill at filing time is much larger than expected.

Books Aren't Ready Before Tax Season

Records are incomplete, behind, or disorganized when it's time to file — meaning the return can't be prepared accurately without cleanup first.

Missed Business Deductions

Common deductions — home office, vehicle use, equipment, startup costs, retirement contributions — were missed or underclaimed in prior years.

Wrong Entity Structure for Tax Purposes

Operating as a sole proprietor or LLC when an S-Corp election might reduce self-employment tax — or vice versa — without knowing the difference.

IRS or Maryland Tax Notice Received

A notice arrived and it's unclear what triggered it, how serious it is, or what the correct response should be.

Prior Year Returns Not Filed

One or more business tax years are unfiled. The longer they remain outstanding, the more penalties and interest accumulate.

How It Works

My Business Tax Preparation Process

Clear steps, transparent pricing, and no surprises — from first call to filed return.

number-one

Free Consultation Call

We talk through your business — entity type, industry, current accounting setup, any major changes from last year, and what you need. No charge, no obligation.

number-two

Document & Records Review

I review your financial records, QuickBooks file, or bookkeeping data. If cleanup is needed before the return can be prepared accurately, I'll identify that upfront and address it first.

number-three

Clear Proposal & Fixed Pricing

You'll receive a clear, fixed-price quote before any work begins. No hourly surprises, no add-on charges for additional forms or schedules.

number-four

Return Preparation & Deduction Review

I prepare your return carefully — reviewing every applicable deduction, verifying all figures against your records, and making sure the return reflects your business accurately.

number-five

Review Together, Then File

Before filing, I walk you through the return — what's on it, what you owe, and why. Once you're satisfied, I file it securely. I remain available for any follow-up questions throughout the year.

Why Work With Me

Why Maryland Business Owners Choose Me Over a Large Accounting Firm

You Work Directly With Me — Every Time

I prepare your business return personally. You'll never be handed to a seasonal preparer or a junior staff member who has to look up your account before answering a question.

Over 20 Years of Business Tax Experience

I've prepared business returns across every common entity type and a wide range of industries for more than two decades — from first-year startups to established Maryland small businesses.

Every Deduction Identified

I don't process returns — I review them. Before your return is filed, I go through your financials to make sure every legitimate deduction has been captured and applied correctly.

Bookkeeping & Tax Under One Roof

If your books need cleanup before the return can be prepared, I handle that too. No handing off to a separate bookkeeper — I manage both so the numbers on your return are reliable.

Transparent Fixed Pricing

You'll know the cost before work begins. No hourly billing, no surprise charges for additional forms, and no fees that only appear at the end of the process.

Maryland-Based, Remote-Ready

I'm based in Columbia, Maryland and work with clients locally and remotely across the state and nationwide. Every step — from document collection to filing — can be handled securely online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About Business Tax Preparation

Yes. Every business return is prepared personally by me. You'll communicate directly with me throughout — not a seasonal preparer, not a junior staff member, and not someone who doesn't know your business.

I prepare returns for sole proprietors (Schedule C), single-member and multi-member LLCs (Schedule C or Form 1065), S-Corporations (Form 1120-S), and partnerships (Form 1065) — including the corresponding Maryland state returns.

I also provide bookkeeping cleanup and catch-up services. If your records need to be organized before the return can be prepared accurately, I handle that first — so your return is based on clean, reliable numbers.

Yes. I help business owners calculate accurate quarterly estimated payments based on actual income and expenses — so you stay current and avoid underpayment penalties and surprise bills at year-end.

Yes. I can review the notice, explain what it means for your business in plain language, and help you respond correctly. The right response depends on the type of notice — contact me directly and I'll take a look.

Maryland is my primary service area, but I also work remotely with businesses in other states. Every step of the process — documents, review, and filing — can be handled securely online.

Pricing depends on your entity type and the complexity of your return. I provide a clear, fixed-price quote after the initial consultation — before any work begins. No hourly billing and no surprise charges.

Ready to File Your Business Taxes With Confidence?

Whether you’re an LLC, S-Corp, sole proprietor, or startup — I’ll prepare your return accurately, identify every deduction you’re entitled to, and make sure it’s filed correctly and on time.