01 / Individual return
One federal and state return
Review is limited to the prior-year Form 1040 and associated state return, including the relevant schedules and carryovers provided.
The $950 Blueprint is accepted only after Alpine confirms the standard scope fits
Paid, document-based diagnostic
Real Estate Investor Tax Blueprint
A $950 focused review for a rental-property owner who needs one defined issue examined before annual preparation, planning, correction work, or entity coordination can be scoped responsibly.
Focused by design
One concern, reviewed with the context needed to reach a useful conclusion.
The Blueprint is not an open-ended search for every possible tax strategy. The accepted question and standard scope are confirmed before the engagement begins.
02 / Properties
Up to two rental properties
The review stays centered on the agreed properties and the information relevant to the primary concern.
03 / K-1s
Up to two K-1s
Review is limited to how the K-1 information affects the individual return. The underlying entity return is outside scope.
04 / Primary concern
One planning or reporting question
Examples include depreciation setup, passive-loss carryovers, STR reporting, a possible sale, or another issue accepted in writing.
05 / Deliverable
One written Investor Tax Blueprint
A concise summary of the facts reviewed, observations, risks or opportunities identified, and the recommended next step.
06 / Meeting
One findings meeting
A scheduled walkthrough to explain the written conclusions and discuss the recommended engagement path.
Why the review is paid
The fit call decides whether to work together. The Blueprint begins when the documents do.
A short introductory conversation cannot establish basis, validate depreciation history, reconcile passive-loss carryovers, or determine whether transaction documents support the reporting on a return.
The Blueprint separates qualification from technical work. After scope is confirmed and the engagement begins, Alpine reviews the relevant records and delivers the analysis in writing. You receive actual work product rather than an improvised opinion based on a verbal summary.
Examples from prior reviews
01 / STR classification
02 / 1031 reporting
03 / Depreciation continuity
What a focused document review can uncover.
These are not guaranteed outcomes or promises of tax savings. They illustrate why the return and supporting records should be compared before correction work, planning, or annual service is recommended.
A short-term rental reported on Schedule C
The operating facts provided did not indicate substantial guest services, so Schedule E treatment and prior-year correction needed to be evaluated.
What the review clarified
The reporting schedule could affect self-employment tax, passive-activity treatment, and future carryovers.
Potential next step
Separately scope any amendment or correction after confirming the complete facts.
A reported exchange that needed a closer look
The closing documents and flow of funds raised questions about whether the transaction supported the reported Section 1031 treatment.
What the review clarified
The issue could affect recognized gain, replacement-property basis, depreciation, and state tracking.
Potential next step
Coordinate a separately scoped technical review or correction before the issue carries into another return.
A replacement property missing from the depreciation history
A property acquired in a prior exchange was not reflected consistently in the depreciation schedule carried into the individual return.
What the review clarified
A break in basis and depreciation continuity can affect current deductions and the gain calculation when the property is later sold.
Potential next step
Reconstruct and document the basis and depreciation history before annual preparation or a future sale.
Examples are based on prior review matters. Facts have been simplified or altered to protect confidentiality. Results depend on each taxpayer's complete facts and applicable law.
Common Blueprint use cases
The useful question is narrower than "find every tax strategy."
01 / Existing history
Can the prior reporting be relied on?
The review may focus on depreciation continuity, rental classification, passive-loss carryovers, or another defined reporting issue.
02 / Upcoming action
What needs attention before a decision?
The concern may involve an agreed purchase, sale, exchange, conversion, or year-end decision affecting the individual return.
03 / CPA transition
What should be clarified before Alpine takes over?
The Blueprint can identify work that should be corrected, coordinated, or separately scoped before annual service begins.
Scope note: These are categories, not a promise that every issue in a category fits the $950 engagement. Alpine confirms the accepted primary concern in writing before the Blueprint begins.
Scope protection
The Blueprint is a defined diagnostic, not a substitute for a full engagement.
Outside the $950 scope
- Preparation or filing of a current or amended tax return.
- Review or preparation of a partnership, S corporation, trust, or estate return.
- Bookkeeping cleanup, reconciliation, or reconstruction of missing records.
- Detailed transaction modeling, full 1031 calculations, or cost-segregation study review unless specifically added.
- IRS or state representation, notice response, audit defense, or legal analysis.
- Unlimited follow-up questions or additional properties, K-1s, years, or concerns.
What may follow the Blueprint
- Investor Tax Preparation starting at $1,500.
- Planning + Preparation starting at $3,500 per year.
- A separately scoped amendment, cleanup, or special project.
- Separate engagement with an independent CPA firm for an entity return.
- A recommendation to remain with the current preparer or take no further action.
Delivery process
From fit form to findings meeting.
Submit the fit form
Describe the properties, K-1 situation, primary concern, and service interest.
Confirm scope
Alpine confirms whether the concern fits and identifies the required documents.
Engage and upload
The fee is paid, the engagement letter is signed, and files move through the secure portal.
Receive the Blueprint
The written analysis is delivered after complete information is reviewed.
Discuss next steps
The findings meeting explains the written conclusions and any separately quoted work.
How K-1 and entity work is handled
The Blueprint may include up to two K-1s only to evaluate their effect on the individual Form 1040 and the accepted primary concern. If a partnership or S corporation return is also required, you engage an independent CPA firm separately for that return. Alpine coordinates the information needed for your individual return, while each firm remains responsible for its own engagement and work.
Common questions
Before you engage the Blueprint.
Does the Blueprint include tax preparation?
No. It is a diagnostic and written deliverable. Preparation, amendments, and correction work are separately scoped.
Will you review more than one prior year?
The standard scope includes one prior federal and state individual return. Additional years require a change in scope and fee.
What happens if my records are incomplete?
Alpine will identify the missing information. The review timeline pauses until required records are complete, and reconstruction work is not included in the standard fee.
Can I use the written Blueprint with another CPA?
Yes. The deliverable is yours. Another professional remains responsible for evaluating and implementing any recommendation under that professional's own engagement.
Is the full $950 credited toward annual service?
No. If Planning + Preparation is recommended and engaged within 90 days, $500 is credited toward that engagement. The remaining fee compensates Alpine for the completed diagnostic and written deliverable.
How long does the review take?
The expected timeline is provided after scope is confirmed and depends on complete documents and seasonal workload.
Can I book the findings meeting before the Blueprint is finished?
No. The written analysis comes first so the meeting is used to explain conclusions rather than gather basic facts.
Confirm fit before paying
Use the qualification form to define the right first step.
Alpine will confirm whether the standard Blueprint scope fits your concern before sending an engagement.
