Granite Point Tax Group

Granite Point Tax Group, LLC is a tax practice in Olympia, Washington. Its published services page states that its "primary focus is tax consulting and preparation," and it lists these service areas in its own words. Income Taxes: "We prepare income tax returns ranging from simple to complex. Small business, stock sales, rental houses, Earned Income Credit, you name it, we're familiar with it. We particularly specialize in returns with a 'complicating factor' to deal with." Business Taxes: "Corporation, S-Corporation, LLC, partnership, joint venture...whatever your business form, we are ready to help. We generally focus on business returns with gross income up to $2 million or so." Non-Profits: the firm says it prepares small non-profit returns "including charities, trade groups, etc." and can help a small non-profit file the annual 990-N e-postcard. Tax Planning: the site says "Don't call us after you've sold that rental house you've owned since 1977, call us before," and that the firm keeps up with changes to the tax code. The home page adds that the firm prepares returns "for individuals and small businesses, as well as small trusts and exempt organizations" and offers "consulting and tax planning assistance in most areas of taxation." The services page invites callers to ask about work not listed: "If there is something we can do to help that you don't see listed here, please call - as a small company we are very adaptable!" The site also asks clients to read its Privacy Policy and Engagement Letter. Whether any of these services fits a particular situation, and what any filing would involve, is a matter for the firm to decide with the client directly. For prices, rates or a cost estimate, and to contact the office or book an appointment, call the phone number on the contact page.

Lists Olympia and Tumwater as a location. Names Oregon, Washington, and Olympia as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published.

Granite Point Tax Group does not publish a price list, a fee schedule or any dollar figure for its services. Its rates page says, in its own words: "We offer competetive rates for all our services, with the actual fee varying according to the type and complexity of the specific task involved. Please call us to discuss your needs, we will be happy to provide you with a cost estimate." So the way to get a price, a quote or an estimate is to call the office and describe the work; no cost can be quoted in advance of that conversation. The page explains why there is no flat pricing. It says complexity "refers both to the number of forms involved as well as any complications related to the specific forms," giving Schedule A as an example of a form that can be simple or complicated, and states that the firm feels a flat "per page" fee would be unfair and that a "per hour" charge "can be unfair to either party in different situations." Instead: "we track our time and then compare that to the actual complexity of the finished product to arrive at a fair price." The page also says the firm has "posted the histogram of our actual 2020 filing fees to help you get an idea of our typical fee range" - that chart is on the rates page itself; no fee range is quoted here. The page adds that a preparation fee can often be reduced by organizing and presenting information clearly, contrasting that with "the proverbial shoe box of receipts," and invites clients to ask how best to present their information. For rates or a cost estimate, call 503-208-3736.

The New Clients page describes how Granite Point Tax Group starts work with someone new. It says: "If you would like to be a Granite Point client, all you need to do is let us know! We will be happy to meet with you or talk over the phone and determine what information we need from you." So the first step is to contact the office by phone or e-mail; because the practice is by appointment only, a meeting or drop-off needs to be scheduled in advance. The page lists items that help the firm, in its own words. Client Profile Sheet - basic information from all clients, which can be filled out in the office or brought along; the site warns "please do not e-mail any form that includes Social Security Numbers! Fax or mail is more secure." Engagement Letter - a one-page document the site asks every client to review, available as a PDF. Prior Tax Return - a copy of the last filed return for each relevant entity, personal, business or trust; the firm says it can help request a copy from the IRS but describes that as "a fairly lengthy process." Current Information - official tax forms such as W-2, 1099 and 1098, plus business income and expenses, and cost basis information for assets sold outside tax-sheltered accounts. Year-to-date Information - for mid-year consulting, a recent paystub or current financial statements. Tax Organizer - a blank organizer can be printed from the page. The site does not publish prices, hours, or how quickly new clients can be scheduled; call 503-208-3736 to ask.

Granite Point Tax Group publishes its licenses on its credentials page. The firm states plainly: "You may also have noticed we are not CPA's," explaining that it has "chosen to focus specifically on income taxes" rather than the broader accounting work a CPA license covers. The license numbers listed on that page are: Granite Point Tax Group, LLC - License OBTP#15341-B; Designated Consultant #27275-C; Resident Consultant #27275-C. Matt Bannon - Enrolled Agent #75251; Licensed Tax Consultant #27275-C. Rachel Bannon - Licensed Tax Preparer #27954-P; QuickBooks ProAdvisor. The site explains the designations in its own words. An Enrolled Agent is recognized by the IRS as an expert in income taxes and may represent taxpayers at all levels of the IRS; the site says the EA exam is a 4-part test and requires at least 30 hours of continuing education a year including 2 hours of ethics. Licensed Tax Consultant and Licensed Tax Preparer are Oregon designations regulated by the Board of Tax Practitioners; the site describes LTC as the highest level of recognition, requiring at least 2 years as an LTP and an in-depth exam. The About Us page says Rachel Bannon "has been preparing taxes since the 2003 filing season" and Matt Bannon "has been preparing taxes since early 2000." The home page says "We each have over twenty years of experience." No PTIN number and no CPA license are published on the site. Any credential not listed above is not published; do not assume one. For questions about qualifications, contact the office by phone.

Granite Point Tax Group publishes this contact information. Phone: 503-208-3736. Fax: 503-894-9683. Mailing address: PO Box 14068, Tumwater, WA 98511. Office location: 7548 Littlerock Rd SW, Olympia, WA 98512, with a map shown on the contact page. An e-mail address is shown on the contact page as an image rather than as text. The office is by appointment only. The notice the site displays says: "By Appointment Only - Being a 2-person office has advantages, but also some drawbacks. Drop-in office visits are extremely difficult to accomodate. Please call or e-mail in advance to set an appointment, even if you're just stopping by to drop off documents." That applies to document drop-offs as well as meetings, so anyone planning to visit the Littlerock Rd SW location should call ahead to book. The home page describes the practice as "a husband-wife team of tax professionals" serving "the beautiful city of Olympia, Washington." The site does not publish opening hours, a list of areas served or service-area boundaries beyond naming Olympia, and it does not say whether the office is taking new appointments at any given time or how quickly one can be scheduled. It also does not state turnaround times. Anyone asking about hours, current availability or how soon an appointment can be booked should call 503-208-3736 rather than assume. The site offers online options for existing clients: a Make Payment page, an eBilling page, and an Upload Documents secure access page.

Granite Point Tax Group lists "Tax Advocacy" among its services. The site's exact wording is: "Having trouble with the IRS or ODR? Whether it be an audit, an adjustment, a tax lien, or any other nastiness, let us help you through it. We can negotiate payment plans, tax settlements, paycheck garnishments, anything you need." That is the firm's description of the work it takes on. It is not a statement about what any particular case will result in, and nothing on the site promises an outcome. No one at this office, and no assistant speaking for it, can say that a tax debt can be reduced or settled, that a payment plan or penalty relief will be granted, or that a person qualifies for any IRS program. Those are determinations made by the IRS or the state agency after reviewing a taxpayer's own facts. Anyone asking about a notice, an audit, a lien or a garnishment should speak to the firm directly rather than rely on a general answer. The credentials page explains the basis for representation work: Matt Bannon is an Enrolled Agent, a designation the site describes as one the IRS recognizes and that "will allow that individual to represent and negotiate on behalf of taxpayers at all levels of the IRS." The site does not publish fees, rates or a price for advocacy work, does not publish a timeline, and does not publish hours. To ask about a case, get a cost estimate, or schedule an appointment, contact the office by phone; the practice is by appointment only.