Business Details
46 Years
experience
Trusted Tax Preparation & Planning Services in Westport, CT
Serving Westport, Connecticut for over 20 years, Bray's Tax Service specializes in comprehensive tax preparation and planning services for individuals and businesses. Our team of Enrolled Agents, Certified Public Accountants, and tax professionals prioritize personalized one-on-one consultations to ensure every deduction and income source is meticulously reviewed. We maintain year-round availability to address tax questions and provide strategic planning, leveraging deep expertise in federal and state tax codes. Our practice includes specialized guidance for new business owners on payroll requirements, recordkeeping, and entity structuring, supported by advanced tools like QuickBooks integration.With a legacy dating to 1980, we combine decades of experience with continuous education on evolving tax regulations to deliver reliable, client-focused solutions. Our commitment to thoroughness extends to audit representation and long-term record retention strategies, ensuring clients maintain compliance while minimizing tax liabilities. As active members of professional organizations like the National Association of Enrolled Agents and Westport/Weston Chamber of Commerce, we uphold rigorous standards of excellence and community engagement.
Services
Tax Preparation
Tax Planning
Recordkeeping
Business Tax Services
Individual Tax Services
New Business Setup
Payroll Services
Sales Tax Returns
QuickBooks Assistance
Tax Audit Representation
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of combined experience in federal and state tax compliance.
- Our team includes Enrolled Agents and CPAs with specialized tax expertise.
- We provide personalized one-on-one consultations for thorough tax analysis.
- We specialize in new business tax structuring and QuickBooks integration.
- We maintain year-round availability for tax planning and urgent inquiries.
Associations and certifications
- Enrolled Agent (EA)
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- QuickBooks ProAdvisor
Services
Tax Preparation
We prepare comprehensive individual and business tax returns, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. Our process includes identifying all eligible deductions and credits to minimize tax liabilities. With expertise in Schedule C, corporate, and partnership returns, we handle complex filings for small businesses and self-employed professionals.
Tax Planning
Our strategic tax planning identifies opportunities to reduce current and future tax burdens. We analyze income shifting, deduction timing, and retirement plan contributions to optimize tax outcomes. Clients receive ongoing guidance to implement year-round strategies aligned with evolving financial circumstances and tax law changes.
Recordkeeping
We advise on proper retention of financial records to support deductions and withstand audits. Our guidance covers income documentation, expense tracking, and digital organization systems. Clients gain customized retention schedules and QuickBooks integration to maintain accurate, audit-ready records for six years or longer.
New Business Setup
We guide entrepreneurs through entity selection, payroll requirements, and tax registration. Services include determining employee vs. contractor classifications, setting up sales tax accounts, and establishing recordkeeping systems. Clients receive tailored advice on home office deductions, medical plan options, and compliance frameworks for new ventures.
QuickBooks Assistance
Our QuickBooks ProAdvisors help businesses implement and maintain accounting systems for tax compliance. We configure software for expense tracking, payroll processing, and financial reporting. Clients receive training on transaction categorization and month-end closing procedures to streamline tax preparation and improve financial visibility.
People
Doreen Bray
President
Enrolled Agent since 1982 with 40+ years of tax experience. Founder of Bray's Tax Service, specializing in individual and business tax representation. Active member of National Tax Practice Institute and Westport/Weston Chamber of Commerce.
Marc Goodman
CPA
Certified Public Accountant with expertise in business tax compliance and QuickBooks consulting. Provides strategic accounting services to small businesses while representing clients before IRS administrative levels. Member of AICPA and Connecticut Society of CPAs.
Irena Sarapiniene
Enrolled Agent
Specializes in small business tax returns and new business setup guidance. Advises on IRS/state compliance requirements and bookkeeping systems. Holds Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and actively participates in National Association of Tax Practitioners.
Bruce D. Katz
Attorney & CPA
Dual-qualified tax attorney and CPA with expertise in business entity structuring and estate planning. Provides comprehensive legal and tax advisory services for corporations and nonprofits while serving on CLASP Homes' Board of Directors.
Kathleen Karlson
RTRP
Registered Tax Return Preparer with 25+ years of experience in individual tax preparation. Focuses on retirement planning strategies and tax-efficient investment approaches for sole proprietors. Active participant in National Tax Practice Institute programs.
Questions
What tax services do you offer for small businesses?
We provide business tax preparation, payroll processing, sales tax returns, entity structuring advice, and year-round tax planning for corporations, LLCs, and sole proprietors.
Do you help with personal tax return preparation?
Yes, we prepare individual tax returns including complex deductions, retirement account strategies, and home office expense optimization for self-employed clients.
Can you assist with new business tax requirements?
We guide startups through entity selection, payroll setup, sales tax registration, and recordkeeping systems to ensure compliance from business inception.
What accounting software do you support?
We specialize in QuickBooks setup and training, helping businesses organize financial records for efficient tax preparation and ongoing management.
How do you handle IRS audit representation?
Our Enrolled Agents and CPAs represent clients during IRS audits, providing documentation support and advocacy to resolve tax disputes professionally.
What records should I keep for tax purposes?
Maintain income documentation, expense receipts, property records, and investment statements for six years. We provide customized retention guidelines during tax consultations.
