2025 TAX SEASON:
First time using LBF (Bob - CPA) was for 2024 taxes. Good initial call, taxes done, cost was more than other places I have gone to but discussed that the cost goes along with tax preparation and filing, secure portal, all digital communication, quarterly planning, etc.
Now onto 2025 taxes, and it's a whole different story.
Cost base went up by $100.00. Also unknown until the final tax filing bill arrived in May 2026, that we were charged for even brief - much less than 5 minute, conversations and emails. The invoice showed a $500 cost to us for "consulting meetings, calls, emails". I was told point blank by Bob that my choice is that I could "pay the bill or not pay the bill" and that his "professional" services were at $300 per hour. Okay, so a CPA is not a Lawyer but is billing as one? Big Red Flag. Anyone else see this as a problem? Especially when I asked him where did I agree or sign, that I would pay for each and every call or email I made to Bob. These 2025 tax prep costs represented a 68.89% cost increase for doing the same taxes as the 2024 tax prep. If I knew this during the year I could have found another company to do my taxes and cut my losses from LBF early. Conclusion, be aware of Bob, LBF, and cumulative costs, especially if you are an individual/joint couple tax payer.