Early-stage companies get tax wrong in expensive, avoidable ways: a missed 83(b) election, an R&D credit left on the table, a blown S-election deadline, foreign founders triggering 5472 reporting nobody mentioned. Next Tax Source prepares your federal (1120 / 1065) and state returns with full workpapers, flags every election and credit you're entitled to, and routes the final return to a licensed CPA for review and signature before anything is filed.
How much does startup tax preparation cost?
It depends on entity type, number of states and book quality, but a venture-backed C-corp with clean books typically engages us for a fixed annual fee covering the federal return, Delaware franchise tax and one state. Use the quote builder for an indicative figure in two minutes.
My startup has no revenue — do I still need to file?
Almost always yes. A Delaware C-corp must file Form 1120 and pay franchise tax even with zero revenue, and foreign-owned LLCs face $25,000 penalties for unfiled 5472s regardless of activity. Not filing is the costliest option.
Can you claim the R&D tax credit against our payroll taxes?
Yes — qualified small businesses can elect to apply up to $500,000 of R&D credit against the employer portion of payroll taxes, which matters when you're pre-profit. We assess eligibility and prepare Form 6765 with the supporting study.
Do you work with foreign founders of US companies?
Routinely. Non-US founders create specific exposure — 5472, FIRPTA, ECI, treaty positions — that our cross-border desk handles directly, with the return signed by a US CPA.
Every Filing, Signed By A Professional
We prepare it all to a ready-to-sign standard; a CPA or EA reviews and signs before anything is filed. Tell us your situation and we'll return a scoped proposal within one business day.
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