Tax questions, answered in plain English.

What should I bring to my tax appointment?

Photo ID, Social Security cards or ITIN letters for everyone on the return, and last year's return if you have it. Then whatever income documents apply: W-2s, 1099s, Social Security statements, retirement distributions. If you're self-employed, bring your income and expense records, mileage log, and home office square footage.

If you're missing something, come anyway. We'll tell you exactly what's still needed.

How much does tax preparation cost?

It depends on the return — a single W-2 filer and a self-employed filer with a Schedule C aren't the same amount of work. A focused 30-minute consultation is $50, and in it we'll map out what your return needs and what it will cost before you commit to anything.

If your household earned under $89,000, you may be able to file free through NampaVITA instead.

What is an ITIN, and can you certify my documents?

An ITIN is an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number — it lets you file a federal return if you aren't eligible for a Social Security number. Maggie and Vanessa are both IRS Certified Acceptance Agents, which means we can verify your passport and identification in our office.

That matters: without a CAA, you'd have to mail your original passport to the IRS and wait to get it back. We hand it back to you the same visit.

¿Hablan español?

Sí. Vanessa nació y creció en Nampa y prepara declaraciones de principio a fin en español o inglés, incluyendo solicitudes de ITIN. Llámenos al (303) 810-0516 y pida hablar con Vanessa.

Yes — Vanessa handles returns end to end in Spanish or English, including ITIN applications. Ask for her when you call.

How do refund advances work?

If you qualify, you can be approved for $150, $500, or $1,000 the same day you file, rather than waiting the usual several weeks for the IRS. You choose how to receive it: direct deposit, a check in our office, or a prepaid card.

Approval isn't guaranteed and depends on your return. We'll tell you where you stand before you file, not after.

What is NampaVITA and do I qualify?

NampaVITA is an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program that Maggie's Tax Service exclusively sponsors. Households earning under $89,000 can file their own return for free at our office, on our computers, with IRS-certified volunteers reviewing the return before it goes out.

It's a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and it's genuinely free — not a discounted version of our paid service.

Do I have to come into the office?

No. There are three ways to file with us: sit down with a preparer in person, drop your documents off and pick up the finished return, or upload everything through our secure portal and handle follow-ups by phone.

Are you open outside of tax season?

Yes, by appointment. Our posted January-through-April hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. The rest of the year, call (303) 810-0516 and we'll find a time — amended returns, IRS letters, and extensions don't wait for April.

Can you help with an IRS letter or a prior-year return?

Yes. Unfiled prior years, amended returns, and IRS notices are regular work for us. Bring the letter with you, or upload it — the sooner we see it, the more options are usually still open.

Where are you located?

915 Park Centre Way, Suite 2, Nampa, Idaho 83651. We serve Nampa, Caldwell, Meridian, Boise, and the wider Treasure Valley. Get directions.