 FAQsSmall Business Accounting FAQs in San Mateo, CARunning a business comes with a lot of financial questions. Below are answers to the most common questions we hear from business owners in San Mateo, CA. If you need personalized help, call us at (650) 539-9440.
Yes, our firm is part of the Padgett network, but we’re still independently owned and operated. You’re working directly with our local firm. Being a part of Padgett simply gives our firm additional guidance and resources that allow us to offer you the best service possible.
According to the Federal Trade Commission Safeguards Rule, tax return preparers and accountants must create and enact security plans to protect client data. We take the security of your information very seriously and follow our plan closely. If you’d like to know more, please reach out to our team.
View Padgett’s hours of operation on our contact page.
We work with many small businesses and working professionals, from retail to construction. Talk to us about how our expertise can apply to your business.
At Padgett, we’re more than an accountant; we’re a true partner. As your business grows, we adapt with you, offering expanded services and proactive advice to help you reach your goals. Whether you’re just starting out or managing an established company, we’ll support you at every stage with strategies for improving cash flow, maintaining strong financial controls, planning for succession, and more.
Yes! We’re able to work with clients anywhere in the US. Our secure portal and online meetings allow us to offer excellent service to all clients.
We are a professional accounting and advisory firm serving small businesses in San Mateo, CA.
Absolutely. We specialize in helping startups in San Mateo, CA get set up correctly from day one, including:
We focus on:
You are not just a number here. Call (650) 539-9440 to experience the difference. How do I get started? Getting started is easy. Call us at (650) 539-9440, schedule a consultation, and get a customized plan for your business.
We aim to respond to all calls and emails as promptly as possible. During busy periods like tax season, it may take a little longer for non-urgent matters, but you can expect to hear from us as soon as we’re able. Your questions are important to us, and we’re here to help every step of the way.
During onboarding, we’ll share communication expectations with you. While we’re happy to respond to emails, please note that you should never share sensitive information through email or other unencrypted channels.
Please let us know as soon as possible. We’ll want to make sure that we have the correct phone, email, and mailing address on file. If it was communication from our office, please confirm that our email hasn’t gone to spam and our address isn’t being blocked. If it was communication from the IRS or a state agency, it is possible it was delayed. While we’re happy to help with follow up, you’ll need to connect with that agency directly to review the status.
We love referrals and work with many businesses in San Mateo, CA through word of mouth. To get started:
We’ll assess your needs and recommend next steps.
For your first consultation, it helps to have:
If you are missing anything, don’t worry. Call (650) 539-9440 and we will guide you.
Most businesses benefit from monthly or quarterly check-ins to:
We tailor communication based on your needs.
Padgett offers tax preparation services for small businesses and individuals, as well as services for all types of business taxes, including payroll tax, sales and use tax preparation, income tax return preparation, and more. Please add internal links.
Tax preparation is about filing your return accurately. Tax planning is proactive, helping you reduce taxes year-round through deductions, credits, and smart financial decisions. Padgett offers both to keep more money in your pocket.
Common deductions include home office expenses, vehicle mileage, equipment, marketing costs, and employee wages. Padgett helps you identify all eligible deductions to maximize your savings. For a more comprehensive list, check out What's Deductible?
Yes! Padgett provides support throughout the year, not just during tax season. From tax planning and estimated payments to guidance on deductions and credits, we help business owners stay on top of their taxes all year long. Because each business is unique, it’s best to reach out to your local Padgett office to discuss a plan tailored to your situation.
Quarterly estimated taxes are payments made to the IRS (and sometimes state tax agencies) throughout the year to cover your income tax liability. Many small business owners and self-employed individuals are required to pay them. The amount and schedule depend on your income and business type. Contact us to see if you need to pay quarterly estimates and how to calculate them for your specific business.
You can reach out to us directly or you can also use the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool for general federal return tracking.
You’ll need income records (W-2s, 1099s), expense receipts (business, medical, charitable), and financial statements if you're a business owner. Need help? Padgett provides a detailed checklist so you’re prepared.
Contact us as soon as possible so we can review it together. We’ll help you understand what the IRS is asking for, gather the right documentation, and prepare a response so you don’t have to navigate it alone.
While there are different due dates that mark “tax season” for different businesses, proactive tax planning takes year-round strategy. Reach out as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on tax savings that may require pre-planning and financial decisions throughout the year. Just looking for preparation? The sooner, the better, as our preparers get very busy when tax deadlines are nearing. We can assist with extensions for last-minute filings, but the tax payments themselves are still due, even if you file an extension.
Padgett offers competitive prices in accordance with our expertise and level of service. Pricing is dependent upon your tax preparation and planning needs. It will be discussed once we've reviewed your situation.
Tax planning is one of our core services, focused on identifying opportunities to help lower your tax burden. We help businesses:
Absolutely! We’d be happy to take a closer look at your business and talk through your tax, payroll, accounting, or advisory needs. You can schedule a meeting with us here.
We help clients with bookkeeping cleanup and catch-up work, but every situation is a little different. Reach out to connect with us at (650) 539-9440 — we’ll review your needs and let you know how we can best support you.
We use a range of technology services to ensure your accounting is done accurately and efficiently. Our national preferred partner is Xero, but we’re familiar with QuickBooks and other providers.
Padgett helps you feel in control of your finances and get some time back by handling your monthly balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and account reconciliation.
While technology has made it possible for business owners to manage their own finances, it can be more complicated and time-consuming than you’d expect. A regular relationship with your Padgett accountant will help ensure that you are taking a proactive approach to your business’s finances. You’ll be able to devote the time you save to the things that matter most to you, like growing your business.
Read our guide to 4 key traits.
We provide a full range of small business accounting services, including:
Our team works closely with business owners in San Mateo, CA to keep finances organized and compliant.
Yes. A professional bookkeeper helps you:
If you are unsure, call (650) 539-9440 and we can walk through your situation.
Check out our accounting guides on our Tools page.
Worker classification can be tricky, and misclassifying workers can create tax and payroll issues. We’ll walk you through the IRS guidelines, review your situation, and help you determine the correct classification so you stay compliant.
Some frequent payroll mistakes we see include missing tax deadlines, miscalculating withholdings, not keeping up with federal and state compliance rules, and forgetting to file payroll tax returns. We help you avoid these pitfalls by managing payroll accurately and on time, so you can focus on running your business.
Padgett’s small business payroll services include full outsourced payroll processing, including remittance of payroll taxes and filing of payroll tax returns. We help clients design a payroll process that allows employees to be paid via direct deposit and removes the headaches of onsite payroll preparation.
Padgett’s preferred payroll partner is ADP, a national and well-respected processor with over seventy years of experience.
Reliable payroll services are essential for maintaining your most important business resource: your employees. Payroll is a time-consuming process that poses a significant risk if done incorrectly. Working with Padgett removes that stress.
Yes, Padgett schedules our clients’ state and federal unemployment and FICA/withholding tax payments. We can also manage retirement contribution remittances and implement wage garnishment orders.
Check out our payroll guides on our Tools page.
Yes. Many callers reach out for payroll support. We offer:
No. We do not provide merchant services or credit card processing. If you received a call claiming to represent us for payment processing or account changes, it is likely a third-party solicitation or scam. If you’re unsure, call (650) 539-9440 and we’ll confirm.
Many small business owners reach a point where basic bookkeeping and tax prep aren't enough anymore. You might be ready for advisory services if:
If any of these sound familiar, it could be time to explore advisory services.
Padgett firm owners are small business owners themselves. They've built successful practices and understand what it takes to grow a business. When you work with Padgett for advisory services, you're working with someone who:
You're not just getting an advisor, you're getting a partner who's been where you are and knows how to help you get where you want to go.
Advisory services are typically available for clients who have an existing accounting relationship with our Padgett firm, as the work builds on the financial data and insights we already have about your business. During your consultation, we'll talk through your specific situation and determine the best way to support your needs.
It's a fair question — the lines can feel blurry. Here's how we think about it: Traditional accounting focuses on what happened. We handle your bookkeeping, prepare your financial statements, and file your taxes. It's backward-looking and focused on compliance.
Advisory services focus on what happens next. We use your financial data to help you plan, make decisions, and set goals for the future. Business consulting typically brings in outside experts who start from scratch learning about your business, often focusing on operations, marketing, or organizational strategy. Padgett advisory sits at the intersection: we combine financial expertise with strategic guidance, using data we already have about your business. We're not learning about you for the first time — we're using what we know to help you make better decisions. Think of it this way: Accounting tells you where you've been. Advisory helps you decide where you're going. And because we do both, you get the complete picture.
Padgett offers a variety of resources to help small business owners make informed decisions:
Based on common inquiries, we provide:
All tailored for businesses in San Mateo, CA.
If you are:
We can help. Call (650) 539-9440 for a consultation. |
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
We take care of your books for you, so you can get back to the job of running your business and generating profits.
We offer payroll solutions that meet your business's needs and enable you to spend time doing what you do best--running your company.
We offer a variety of services to help make sure that you are taking full advantage of Quickbooks' many features.
We're here to help you resolve your tax problems and put an end to the misery that the IRS can put you through.
We offer one-on-one guidance and a comprehensive financial plan that helps manage risk, improve performance, and ensure the growth and longevity of your wealth.