John L Elwell, CPA, JD

Tax Expert: active CPA and Attorney in Dallas, Texas. Our Promise: every individual client receives my direct attention and the full benefit of my tax skills. The result: maximum returns and savings on your taxes.

This lawyer is licensed to practice in Texas and has no record of discipline from the Texas bar association.*

Firm Overview

I specialize in Tax for small-to-medium sized businesses, self-employed individuals, and individuals whose returns require special attention. Major areas of expertise:

•Tax return preparation and filing: finding/utilizing every money-saving tax break you deserve — even for the most complex situations.
•IRS & State issues - up to/inc. litigation when necessary.
•Other tax services: handling estate, gift, income, payroll, property & sales taxes.
•Proactive tax planning to optimize deductions & savings.
•Retirement planning: executing contributions to enhance your tax savings and retirement positions.

Main Office

Elwell & Associates
14643 Dallas Parkway
Suite 325
Dallas TX 75254-8817

Phone

(214) 739-7100

Fax

(214) 363-1485

Websites

Fees

Free Initial Consultation?

Discounts 20% off 1st meeting - mention Nolo; 20% off for active members of the Armed Services and their families

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Services Offered For Fixed Fees?

Fees vary depending specifics/scope of your particular needs and related services required.

Basic Business Return Preparation — from $575
This fee assumes that you can provide us with up-to-date, electronic financial statement data.*

Basic Individual Return Preparation — from $350
This fee assumes that all of your records are current.*

Additional Returns and Forms - $175 per hour
If you have additional tax returns — such as Franchise, Property or Excise — we'll provide an estimate.

IRS-related Services - $175 per hour
Fees for handling audits, unfiled taxes, late taxes or another problem involving IRS, state or local jurisdictions are charged hourly. While a fixed estimate of hours is not feasible, we do make every effort to get an expeditious resolution.

Additional services - can be found at our website, http://www.elwellinc.com

Hourly Rates

$175 per hour. W do accept Mastercard and Visa.

Office Information

Office Hours

Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Emergency Hours scheduled as needed.

Office Manager

Our Office Mgr/Controller is Melissa Serpa who's been with our firm for 10 yrs. Sheis a graduate of Texas A&M.

Emergency After Hours

Yes

Languages Spoken

We have two employees who are completely bi-lingual in Spanish/English (Mexican dialect). Que hablan Espanol.

Is your firm willing to help a client with one discrete part of a case, without taking on the whole case?

Yes, absolutely. We will handle the tax issues of a diversified account (e.g., property acquisition or sale, bankruptcy, new business set-up, etc.).

What are your policies about dividing work within the firm to make the process most cost-effective for the client?

Do you handle all tax issues yourself?
Yes. I do have support for basic accounting and bookkeeping services. However, I started my private practice with the goal of helping small businesses directly — not delegating tax returns and issues to junior personnel. The tax law is complex; the tax software is complex. I don't want my clients to be short-changed in support and representation.

How frequently does your firm use mediation, arbitration, or collaborative law to resolve cases?

Since taxation is such an isolated legal area, we rarely cross paths from other attorneys. We do have full access to a well-recognized Audit CPA when a client needs an accounting audit.

Does your firm provide pro bono legal services or otherwise participate in your community?

We give a discount to active duty military and/or their families. Additionally, we provide pro bono services for a homeless shelter and food pantry locally. We are very open to pro bono requests from local charitable organizations.

What distinguishes your law firm from others?

I believe that I am more accessible to my clients than most professionals. Since I have had many of my clients for many years, I've come to know them and their situations very well. People trust me to help them stay in the "black" — and no effort is too small or large for me to earn and keep their trust. I welcome new clients who want to receive this type of hands-on support.

What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I encourage my clients to stay on top of their finances and accounting systems. However, I do not require nor expect them to educate themselves on complex tax issues or the tax code.

Is your firm willing to review documents prepared by clients?

Yes. Sometimes new clients give me tax returns that have been prepared through other CPAs or non-CPA tax agents. I generally find many opportunities for savings — small or extremely large — that have not been taken and therefore require amendments and re-filing. My fees for review — and subsequent amendments — are charged on an hourly basis. (See "Fees")

Is your firm willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

No. This situation is really not appropriate to my practice since Tax issues — IRS or State — are generally too specialized and technical for non-professionals to handle.

John Elwell

I've been in private practice, serving clients in Dallas and a 200-mile radius, for over 20 years. I work as a sole practitioner with my support staff and have a network of other professional CPAs and attorneys for consulting. By taking this approach, I am able to work directly and personally with each one of my clients to provide maximum support.

Previously, I was a manager for Deloitte - one of four largest CPA firms in the U.S. However, I was delighted to move on to my own practice where I could focus on people vs. Fortune 500 corporations.

License

Bar Number: 6594500
Texas , 1974

* Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers. Any past disbarments and suspensions (with possible exceptions for minor violations or nonpayment of dues, in our discretion) will be indicated accordingly in the badge. Member attorneys are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.