Clear answers before you complete the assessment.
These answers explain Alpine's service model, base fees, qualification process, and individual-return focus.
Do you prepare partnership or S corporation returns?
Alpine generally does not prepare partnership or S corporation returns. When one is required, you engage another CPA firm separately for that return. Alpine may coordinate the information needed for your individual Form 1040 and planning, while each firm remains responsible for its own work.
Do I need tax planning or only return preparation?
Return-only service may fit when the year is complete and you primarily need accurate annual filing. Annual planning is a stronger fit when participation, documentation, projected income, rental losses, withholding, estimated payments, acquisitions, or other decisions need attention while the year can still be changed.
Do you work with clients outside Colorado?
Yes, selectively. Alpine is based in Colorado Springs and works virtually. State and jurisdictional fit are confirmed before engagement. Some states may be outside Alpine's practice scope, and additional state filings may increase the fee or require separate scope.
Do you work with first-year STR owners?
Yes. Some first-year owners need only the $2,400 STR Preparation Only engagement. Others need the additional planning and implementation work included in First-Year STR Planning + Preparation, which starts at $7,500 when recommended. The Fit Assessment helps determine which level is appropriate.
Is a cost-segregation study included?
No. When cost segregation is appropriate, Alpine may coordinate with or review information from the study provider as part of the agreed scope. The cost-segregation study itself is performed and billed separately by the provider.
Will you guarantee that I materially participate?
No. Alpine reports material participation only when the applicable facts and client-provided records support the position. Planning and documentation guidance can help you understand what should be tracked, but no result is guaranteed.
Why do I need to upload my most recent complete tax return before the call?
The most recent complete return helps Alpine understand the existing rental activity, filing structure, and major scope issues before the conversation. This preliminary review is for fit and engagement scoping, not a review for errors, amended-return opportunities, or tax recommendations. Additional prior years may be requested when history materially affects scope.
Can I schedule a call without completing the assessment?
No. A completed Rental Tax Fit Assessment and the requested most recent complete tax return are generally required before the scheduling link is provided. This keeps the call focused on fit, service recommendation, scope, and fee.
What happens during the 20-minute Tax Fit Call?
The call confirms your primary concern, whether Alpine is a fit, the recommended service, scope boundaries, fee, and next step. It is not a tax-planning session; personalized technical analysis begins after engagement.
What causes the base fee to increase?
Base fees reflect a standard engagement. Additional properties, states, K-1s, business activity, cleanup work, or complex transactions may increase the fee or require separate scope. Any adjustment is identified before engagement.
Do you handle rental-property sales and Section 1031 exchanges?
Yes, when the work fits Alpine's individual-return scope. Rental sales and Section 1031 exchange reporting may require additional or separate scope, particularly when basis reconstruction, transaction planning, prior-year remediation, or other complex work is involved.
What are the published base fees?
Simple LTR Preparation starts at $1,500. STR Preparation Only has a $2,400 base fee. Annual Planning + Preparation is $4,800 annually. First-Year STR Planning + Preparation starts at $7,500 when that level of first-year work is recommended.
Find the service that fits your rental activity.
Tell Alpine about your properties and current concerns. If the firm appears to be a fit, you will receive secure TaxDome instructions to upload your most recent complete tax return for fit and scope review before a focused 20-minute Tax Fit Call.
