The Practice

Careful work, clearly explained.

Three practices, one standard: every return prepared as if it will be read line by line — because it will be. Below is what each practice covers and what working together looks like.

01

Tax Preparation

Individual and family returns, handled with discretion.

Federal and state income tax returns for individuals and families — including multi-state filings, equity compensation, rental property, and the paperwork that arrives when life gets complicated. Returns are prepared carefully, filed on time, and paired with planning that keeps next April quiet.

Federal & State Returns

Complete preparation and e-filing of individual income tax returns, including part-year and multi-state situations.

Extensions & Estimated Payments

Timely extensions and quarterly estimated tax calculations so nothing is filed late and nothing is overpaid.

IRS & State Representation

Responses to notices, audits, and collection matters — handled directly, so you do not have to speak with the government alone.

Year-Round Planning

A mid-year review of withholding, deductions, and life changes, so the return is planned rather than discovered.

02

Small Business Services

For owners who would rather run the business than the books.

Practical accounting support for owner-operated businesses: the right entity, clean books, payroll that runs itself, and estimated taxes that never surprise you. The goal is simple — a business owner should make decisions with numbers they trust.

Entity Selection & Formation

Choosing and forming the structure that fits the business — LLC, S corporation, C corporation — with the tax consequences spelled out in plain English.

Bookkeeping Oversight

Review and oversight of your books so the records behind every return are accurate and audit-ready.

Payroll

Payroll setup and administration, with filings and deposits handled on schedule.

Quarterly Estimates & Planning

Estimated tax calculations and ongoing planning conversations as the business grows, pivots, or prepares to sell.

03

International & Foreign Clients

The firm's signature practice.

Cross-border taxation is the practice's center of gravity. Clients arrive from every continent with obligations that span jurisdictions — foreign-owned companies operating in the United States, foreign nationals with American filing duties, and US citizens living abroad — and leave with filings that are complete, defensible, and filed on time.

Foreign-Owned US Businesses

United States tax obligations for foreign companies investing in or operating in America — entity choice, filing requirements, and treaty positions.

Foreign Nationals

US filing requirements for nonresident and resident aliens with American income, including residency determination and treaty benefits.

Americans Abroad

Expat returns, foreign earned income exclusion, foreign tax credits, and reporting for foreign accounts and assets.

FBAR, FATCA & Reporting

Foreign bank account reporting and international information returns — prepared accurately and filed before penalties become a conversation.

Not sure which fits?

Most engagements begin with a short conversation about your situation. The first hour is about understanding it — not billing it.

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Stephen Nelson CPA

American tax practice. An international perspective.

A suburban practice serving clients nationwide and worldwide.

4907 Morgan Dr.

Blaine, WA 98230

360-543-7657

steve@stephennelsoncpa.com

Office Hours

Monday – Friday
9:00 am – 5:00 pm

By appointment

© 2026 Stephen Nelson CPA. All rights reserved.

Stephen Nelson CPA is a certified public accounting firm. The content of this site is general in nature and does not constitute tax, legal, or accounting advice for any specific situation.