Preparation is the end of the process, not the start
Most tax savings are decided before December 31: entity choice, the salary/distribution split, retirement contributions, equipment purchases and the Illinois PTE election. Net Cash Pro reviews those with clients during the year, so that in filing season the job is accuracy, not damage control.
Every return is quoted at a flat fee before work starts. A personal federal and Illinois Form 1040 is $225 and includes W-2 and 1099 processing, all related schedules, e-filing, one Schedule C and one Schedule E. A sole proprietor or single-member LLC is $550, and an S-Corp, C-Corp or partnership return is $850.
Individuals, owners and companies
Individual returns
Form 1040 with W-2s, 1099s, investments, rentals, equity compensation, education credits and multi-state income, federal and Illinois.
Business returns
Form 1120-S, 1120 and 1065, plus Illinois IL-1120-ST, IL-1120 and IL-1065, including replacement tax and the PTE election.
IRS and Illinois notices
Enrolled Agent representation for audits, collection, payment plans, penalty relief and Illinois Department of Revenue letters.
The Illinois details that change the bill
These come up on DuPage County returns every year and are where generic software and out-of-state preparers most often go wrong.
Illinois Personal Property Replacement Tax
Illinois charges an entity-level replacement tax of 1.5% on S-Corp and partnership income and 2.5% on C-Corp income, on top of the 4.95% flat individual rate and the 7% corporate rate. When an owner asks whether an S-Corp election "saves money", that 1.5% has to come out of the self-employment tax saved. Generic online calculators routinely leave it out.
The Illinois PTE election
Illinois lets a partnership or S-Corp elect to pay state income tax at the entity level. That converts what would be a capped personal state-and-local-tax deduction into a fully deductible business expense, and owners receive a credit on their personal Illinois return. Whether it is worth electing depends on owner income and DuPage property tax bills, so it gets modelled every year rather than assumed.
RSUs, stock options and the basis trap
Executives and engineers paid partly in equity often overpay because the cost basis on the broker’s 1099-B omits the income already taxed on the W-2 when RSUs vested or ESPP shares were bought. Incentive stock options add an alternative minimum tax question in the year of exercise. These are reconciled line by line, not taken from the form.
Illinois does not tax most retirement income
Social Security, pension income, and distributions from IRAs and 401(k)s are generally exempt from Illinois income tax. That changes the math on Roth conversions, on when to draw from which account, and on whether a move out of state actually saves anything. Retirees who keep a small consulting practice need the earned income and the retirement income separated cleanly on the return.
Flat fees, published up front
Net Cash Pro does not bill hourly. DuPage County clients get a fixed price before any work starts, so a question in September does not turn into an invoice.
Federal + Illinois, e-filed
single-member LLC return
partnership return
starting price
Controller / CFO advisory starts at $1,995/month and includes everything in bookkeeping plus a monthly financial Scoreboard and Action Plan. See full pricing →
Frequently asked
How much does tax preparation cost in DuPage County?
At Net Cash Pro: $225 for a personal federal and Illinois return including one Schedule C and one Schedule E; $100 per additional Schedule C and $75 per additional Schedule E; $550 for a sole proprietor or single-member LLC; and $850 for an S-Corp, C-Corp, partnership or LLC taxed as a corporation. Fees are flat and quoted in writing.
What is the difference between an Enrolled Agent and a CPA for taxes?
An Enrolled Agent is licensed federally by the U.S. Treasury, specialises exclusively in taxation and has unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. A CPA is licensed by the state with a broader scope that includes financial statement audits. For tax preparation, planning and IRS representation, both are fully qualified.
Do you file prior-year or late returns?
Yes. Net Cash Pro prepares unfiled prior-year returns, works out what is owed including penalties and interest, and where appropriate requests penalty relief or sets up a payment plan with the IRS or Illinois.
When should I contact you about my taxes?
Ideally before year end. October through December is when retirement contributions, equipment purchases, the PTE election and estimated payments can still change the outcome. Net Cash Pro works year-round and does not bill hourly for planning questions from flat-fee clients.
Get a flat quote for your DuPage County return
The first 30-minute consultation is free. Bring last year's return and we will tell you plainly whether there is money being left on the table.