Questions, answered plainly.
The deeper questions owners ask us — beyond the quick basics on each service page. Don't see yours? Just ask.
Bookkeeping
The quick basics live on the service page — see plans, prices, and the quick FAQ →. These go deeper.
What's the difference between bookkeeping and accounting?
Bookkeeping is the record — categorizing and reconciling what actually happened. Accounting is the interpretation of that record. We wrote a plain guide on it: bookkeeper or accountant?
What do you need from me each month?
Very little. A connected bank feed in QuickBooks does most of the work, or you can send monthly statements. We only come back to you when something needs a human answer — 'what was this deposit?' — and that's usually a one-line reply.
Do you need access to my books at tax time, or is a summary enough?
If we keep your books, there's nothing to hand over — your return starts from numbers we already trust. If you only come to us for taxes, a totaled income-and-expense summary works, and clean totals mean no organizing charge.
My business is tiny — do I really need this?
Honestly, not everyone needs monthly help. That's exactly what the Annual plan is for: one clean, tax-ready set of books a year. When activity grows and you start guessing at your numbers, that's the moment monthly starts paying for itself.
Can you take over an existing QuickBooks file?
Yes. We review what's there first, keep what's right, and tidy what isn't — if it needs real cleanup, we quote that as its own small project before touching anything.
How do I share documents safely?
Never by email, and never through the website form — those aren't for sensitive records. When we start working together, we set up a secure way to share documents, and we'll walk you through it.
Taxes
The quick basics live on the service page — see situations, prices, and the quick FAQ →. These go deeper.
Will you sign my return? Do you have a PTIN?
Yes. Every return we prepare is completed using our IRS-issued Preparer Tax Identification Number and signed as the law requires — and you always receive your own copy. If a preparer won't sign, walk away.
Do you e-file my return?
No. We do not currently support e-file. We prepare and sign your return, then hand it to you to file on paper and walk you through exactly how to mail it. You sign a short statement confirming that you chose paper filing, which we keep on file. We will always be upfront that paper refunds take longer than electronic ones.
What's the difference between a W-2 and a 1099?
A W-2 means you're an employee and taxes were withheld from each check. A 1099 means you were paid as your own business — nothing withheld, and self-employment tax is yours to handle. Plenty of people have both, and it's still one return.
Should I itemize or take the standard deduction?
You don't have to decide alone. When it's close, we look at your return both ways and use whichever benefits you — for most filers that ends up being the standard deduction, but yours is checked, not assumed.
When will my refund arrive?
The IRS controls refund timing, so no preparer can honestly promise a date. Paper returns are processed more slowly; the IRS says refunds from mailed returns generally take six or more weeks from the date the IRS receives the return. You can use the IRS Where's My Refund? tool once the paper return has been received and entered into its system.
I haven't filed for a year or more. Can you help?
Yes, and it's calmer than it feels. Prior-year returns are prepared at current-year pricing, one year at a time, until you're caught up.
Can you fix a return that's already been filed?
If we prepared the original, an amended return is $100. If another preparer filed it, we have to rebuild the return before we can fix it — that gets its own quote after a look.
Will I see my return before it's final?
Always. We walk through the return with you, explain what's on it and why, and confirm in writing — it isn't final until you've seen and approved it. Then we hand you the completed, signed return ready to file on paper and walk you through exactly how to mail it to the IRS yourself.
Do you offer a referral credit?
Yes. Refer a friend whose return we prepare and receive a $25 credit toward your next Asega tax return. Package prices remain the same for every client.
Business support
The quick basics live on the service page — see filings, fees, and the quick FAQ →. These go deeper.
LLC or sole proprietor — which should I choose?
Part of that is a legal decision, and choosing for you isn't ours to make. What we can tell you: for a one-owner business the taxes are usually identical — here's the plain comparison. Whichever you choose, we handle the filing.
Do I have to pay for a registered agent?
In Florida, you can generally serve as your own registered agent if you have a street address in the state. We don't sell registered-agent subscriptions — that recurring fee is how the big formation mills make their money, and most solo owners don't need it.
What happens if I skip the annual report?
The state adds late costs, and eventually it can administratively dissolve your company. We can file it for you each year, or simply set the reminder rhythm with you — either way, it shouldn't sneak up on you.
Do I need a local business license?
Most businesses operating in Miami-Dade or Broward need the local business tax receipt where they work, and the rules shift by city and county. Tell us where you operate and we'll sort out which ones apply to you.
Which subcontractors need a 1099-NEC from me?
Generally, people you paid for services during the year. At year-end we review your list together and prepare the forms that are actually required — $20 each when it's part of your bookkeeping or taxes with us.
How do I reach you, and how fast do you reply?
Within one business day, by email, phone, or WhatsApp — in English, Spanish, or French. Ongoing clients aren't left waiting until April to get an answer.
Still have a question? Send it with the form — you'll hear back within one business day.
Business launch, website, and logo
These optional services help a new business establish its identity and online presence while bookkeeping and taxes remain at the center of Asega.
Can Asega help launch a business from scratch?
Yes. Asega handles selected administrative filings, designs the logo, builds the website, and develops a keyword-informed search foundation. Each service is defined in writing, and bookkeeping or taxes are shown separately.
What does an SEO-focused website include?
The scope can include keyword evaluation, a keyword-to-page map, clear site structure, titles and descriptions, internal links, clean URLs, crawl settings, sitemap, structured data when appropriate, and measurement preparation. Rankings are never guaranteed.
Do I have to buy the complete launch package?
No. Website, logo, search planning, administrative filings, bookkeeping, and taxes can be quoted independently or combined under one written plan.
ITIN application guide · EIN vs. ITIN · Annual-report deadline · Florida LLC cost
Miami bookkeeping cost guide
Review Asega's complete Business Launch pathway →