Tax season can be overwhelming, and receiving an unexpected notice from the IRS is enough to cause significant stress. When you need help taxes, understanding your options and knowing where to turn for professional assistance can make the difference between a quick resolution and a prolonged, costly dispute. For individuals and business owners in Ashburn and across Northern Virginia, professional tax help is available year-round, not just during filing season. Understanding the IRS and Its Role The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) administers and enforces the internal revenue laws and related statutes . Its mission is to collect the proper amount of tax revenue at the least cost to the public by efficiently applying the tax law with integrity and fairness. The IRS aims for the highest possible degree of voluntary compliance and advises the public of their rights and responsibilities . The 16th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified on February 3, 1913, gave Congress the authority to levy taxes on the income of individuals and corporations . Today, most of the collected revenues depend on the individual income tax and social insurance and retirement taxes, with other major revenue sources being corporate income, excise, estate, and gift taxes . When You Need Help with Taxes Many taxpayers attempt to handle tax issues on their own, but certain situations warrant professional assistance: You receive an IRS audit notice or a letter proposing additional taxes You have unfiled tax returns for multiple years You cannot afford to pay the taxes you owe You are facing wage garnishment, bank levy, or property lien You need to file an offer in compromise or negotiate a payment plan You are starting a business and need guidance on estimated taxes and entity structure You have complex income sources such as rental properties, cryptocurrency, or foreign accounts Types of Tax Help Available CPA Firms – Certified Public Accountants are licensed by state boards and can represent clients before the IRS on any matter. They provide tax preparation, planning, audit representation, and dispute resolution. Enrolled Agents – Federally licensed tax practitioners who specialize in taxation and have unlimited representation rights before the IRS. Tax Attorneys – Lawyers who specialize in tax law and can handle complex legal matters including tax court litigation and criminal tax issues. IRS Free Services – The IRS offers toll-free telephone assistance and operates local Taxpayer Assistance Centers . Before going to a taxpayer assistance center, you should call and schedule an appointment . The Taxpayer Advocate Service provides problem resolution personnel to address taxpayer complaints that cannot be resolved through regular channels . Virginia-Specific Tax Help For Ashburn residents, Virginia has unique tax deadlines and requirements. According to the Virginia Department of Taxation , individual income tax returns are typically due by May 1 . Virginia allows an automatic 6-month extension to file your return (November 1 for most people), with no application required . However, you still need to pay any taxes owed on time to avoid additional penalties and interest. Estimated Tax Payment Assistance Small business owners and self-employed individuals may need to make estimated tax payments to avoid an unexpected tax bill and possible penalty . These taxes are used to pay not only income tax but also self-employment tax and alternative minimum tax . How to Verify Tax Professional Credentials Before engaging a tax professional, verify their credentials. For CPAs, check with the Virginia Board of Accountancy . The IRS also maintains a directory of federal tax return preparers with credentials and select qualifications. Getting Help with Back Taxes and IRS Notices If you have received an IRS notice, do not ignore it. The IRS provides online tools including the “Where’s My Refund?” tool, which allows taxpayers to check refund dates once a return is processed . The IRS usually issues a refund in fewer than 21 days after receiving a return, though some returns require additional review . At Nova Tax & Accounting Services , we provide expert tax solutions including audit representation, notice response, and tax resolution. Schedule your free consultation to get the help you need.
Form 990 preparation is an annual requirement for most tax-exempt organizations. Unlike a tax return that calculates taxes owed, Form 990 is an information return that provides the IRS, donors, and the public with detailed information about an organization’s finances, governance, and program activities. For nonprofits in Ashburn, Loudoun County, and across Northern Virginia, accurate Form 990 filing is essential to maintaining tax-exempt status. Which Form Does Your Organization File? Form 990-N (e-Postcard) – For organizations with gross receipts under $50,000. Filing is online through the IRS website; no paper return is required. Form 990-EZ – For organizations with gross receipts under $200,000 AND total assets under $500,000. This short form requires fewer schedules than the full Form 990. Form 990 (long form) – For organizations with gross receipts over $200,000 OR total assets over $500,000. This is the most comprehensive form, requiring numerous schedules and detailed disclosures. Form 990-PF – For private foundations. All private foundations file this form regardless of revenue level. The IRS instructions for Form 990-PF detail which parts must be completed based on foundation type and asset levels . Key Schedules to Form 990 Schedule A – Public Charity Status and Public Support. This schedule is required for all section 501(c)(3) organizations filing Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. It demonstrates that the organization meets the public support test or qualifies under another public charity category. The IRS instructions for Schedule A provide detailed guidance on completing the public support test calculations . Schedule B – Schedule of Contributors. Nonprofits must report donors who contributed over certain thresholds. The schedule is filed with the IRS but is not公开 available for most organizations. Schedule D – Supplemental Financial Statements. Required for organizations with endowments, escrow accounts, art collections, or other complex assets. The IRS provides specific Form 990 Schedule D instructions . Schedule G – Supplemental Information Regarding Fundraising or Gaming Activities. Required for organizations that conduct fundraising events, professional fundraising campaigns, or gaming activities . Schedule I – Grants and Other Assistance to Organizations, Governments, and Individuals in the United States. Required for organizations that make grants or provide other assistance . Schedule J – Compensation Information. Required for organizations that pay certain officers, directors, trustees, or key employees more than specified thresholds . Schedule L – Transactions with Interested Persons. Required for organizations that engage in transactions with interested persons (officers, directors, key employees, substantial contributors) . Schedule R – Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships. Required for organizations with related taxable or tax-exempt entities . Filing Deadlines Form 990 is due by the 15th day of the 5th month after the end of the organization’s tax year. For calendar-year organizations, the deadline is May 15. A six-month extension is available by filing Form 8868. Failure to file Form 990 for three consecutive years results in automatic revocation of tax-exempt status. Reinstatement is a lengthy and expensive process. Common Form 990 Preparation Errors Failing to provide complete and accurate information, which can result in delays, penalties, or even the loss of tax-exempt status Not attaching the required schedules Reporting incorrect compensation information Failing to disclose potential conflicts of interest Miscalculating the public support test on Schedule A Documentation Requirements To accurately prepare Form 990, organizations must maintain detailed financial records throughout the year, including: Tracking income from contributions, program service revenue, and other sources Recording expenses for salaries, supplies, and other operational costs Documenting program activities and accomplishments Maintaining board meeting minutes and governance policies Tracking donor information for Schedule B Virginia State Filing Requirements In addition to federal Form 990 filing, Virginia nonprofits that solicit donations must register annually with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) . The registration is due by May 15 for calendar-year organizations. Get Professional Form 990 Preparation At Nova Tax & Accounting Services , we specialize in Form 990 preparation for tax-exempt organizations across Virginia and Washington DC. Our team ensures accurate, timely filings that reflect your mission and maintain compliance. Schedule your free consultation to discuss your nonprofit’s filing needs.
Knowing which taxes to file and when they are due is essential for avoiding penalties and interest. For individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in Ashburn and across Northern Virginia, the 2026 tax filing season includes several important deadlines. Individual Taxes to File (Form 1040) For most individual taxpayers, the deadline to file a 2025 federal tax return is April 15, 2026. Virginia’s individual income tax deadline is May 1, 2026—a unique two-week buffer after the federal deadline. Washington DC follows the federal April 15 deadline. Extension to File – You can request a six-month extension for your federal return by filing Form 4868, moving your filing deadline to October 15, 2026. However, an extension to file is not an extension to pay. Any taxes owed must be paid by April 15, 2026, regardless of whether you request a filing extension. Estimated Tax Payments – If you are self-employed, receive significant investment income, or have taxes not fully withheld from your paycheck, you likely need to make quarterly estimated tax payments. For 2026, estimated payments are generally due on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. Business Taxes to File Partnerships (Form 1065) – Due by March 16, 2026, with a six-month extension to September 15, 2026. Partnerships are pass-through entities; the partnership itself does not pay income tax, but must file an information return. S-Corporations (Form 1120-S) – Due by March 16, 2026, with extension to September 15, 2026. Like partnerships, S-corps are pass-through entities. C-Corporations (Form 1120) – Due by April 15, 2026, with extension to October 15, 2026. C-corps pay tax at the corporate level. Payroll Taxes (Form 941) – Quarterly filings are due April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31. Annual wage reports (Form W-2 and W-3) are due January 31. Sales Tax – Filing frequency (monthly, quarterly, or annually) depends on sales volume. Virginia’s sales tax rate is 5.3% state plus local add-ons; Ashburn’s combined rate is 6.0% . Nonprofit Taxes to File (Form 990) Tax-exempt organizations must file Form 990 annually. For calendar-year organizations, the deadline is May 15, 2026, with a six-month extension to November 15, 2026. Which form to file: Form 990-N (e-Postcard) – Gross receipts under $50,000 Form 990-EZ – Gross receipts under $200,000 AND total assets under $500,000 Form 990 (long form) – Gross receipts over $200,000 OR total assets over $500,000 Form 990-PF – Private foundations (any revenue level) The IRS provides comprehensive instructions for Form 990-PF , including which parts of the form to complete based on foundation type and asset levels . State and Local Taxes Virginia Income Tax – Individual income tax returns are due May 1, 2026. Virginia has a graduated tax rate system, with rates ranging from 2% to 5.75%. You can check your refund status through the Virginia Department of Taxation . BPOL Tax – All Ashburn businesses must pay the Business Professional and Occupational License tax. The license must be renewed annually by March 1. First-year businesses pay a flat fee of $30; subsequent years, the fee is $30 if gross receipts are $200,000 or less, with additional amounts for higher receipts . Business Tangible Property Tax – Businesses must file an annual return reporting business personal property (furniture, equipment, computers, etc.) with the Loudoun County Commissioner of the Revenue. Missing a Deadline If you miss a filing deadline, file as soon as possible. The IRS imposes failure-to-file penalties of 5% per month, up to 25% of the unpaid tax. Virginia imposes similar penalties. At Nova Tax & Accounting Services , our expert tax solutions team helps clients file all required returns accurately and on time. Schedule your free consultation to ensure you meet every deadline.