Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about working with JRH & Associates, whether you are in Garden City, across Long Island, in Florida, or anywhere in the country.

General Questions

JRH & Associates, Inc. is an accounting, tax, and business consulting firm based in Garden City, NY with over 35 years of experience. Founded by James R. Hurley, CPA, the firm serves more than 1,500 individual clients and 400 corporate clients across Long Island, the tri-state area, Florida, and throughout the United States.

We serve over 30 industries and pride ourselves on delivering individualized, effective service at affordable rates tailored to each client's needs.

Our office is located at 500 Old Country Road, Suite 101, Garden City, NY 11530, in Nassau County on Long Island. You can reach us by phone at (516) 794-5752 or by email at jrh@jrhassociates.com.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Extended hours are available during tax season.

Yes, completely. Your initial consultation with JRH & Associates is always free and carries no obligation. We use that time to understand your situation and explain exactly how we can help. If we are not the right fit, we will tell you honestly.

Fees vary based on the complexity of your situation. We provide a clear, fixed-fee proposal before you commit to anything, so there are never any surprises. We believe in affordable, transparent pricing tailored to each client's needs.

Call us at (516) 794-5752 and we will give you a ballpark estimate right on the spot.

Yes, and it is easier than you might think. We handle the entire transition, including requesting prior-year records from your previous accountant. We will review your past returns as part of the onboarding process to make sure everything is in order going forward.

Many of our best long-term clients came to us after an unsatisfying experience elsewhere.

Tax Services

We prepare a full range of tax returns for individuals and businesses, including:

  • Individual federal and New York State returns (all income types)
  • Business returns for LLCs, S-Corps, C-Corps, partnerships, and trusts
  • Sales tax returns (monthly, quarterly, and annual)
  • Estate and gift tax returns
  • Multi-state filings including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Florida
  • Payroll tax returns and filings

All returns can be electronically filed and paid where available.

Year-round. We believe proactive tax planning throughout the year is what separates a good accountant from a great one. We hold strategy sessions, monitor law changes, and communicate with clients well before deadlines so April is never a surprise.

This is especially important for business owners, self-employed individuals, and clients with complex situations across multiple states.

Do not panic and do not respond without speaking to a CPA first. Most IRS notices are routine and require a straightforward response, but responding incorrectly can make a simple matter much more complicated.

Call us at (516) 794-5752 right away. We will review the notice, explain exactly what it means, and handle the response on your behalf. We have represented clients through hundreds of IRS matters.

Yes. JRH & Associates provides full IRS audit representation, handling all communications and documentation on your behalf from the initial notice through resolution. You never have to face the IRS alone.

Our meticulous preparation and documentation standards mean our clients have an outstanding record in audit situations.

Yes. Freelancers, consultants, sole proprietors, and independent contractors are a significant part of our practice across Long Island, New York City, and beyond. We help with:

  • Quarterly estimated tax payments
  • Self-employment tax strategy
  • Business deduction optimization
  • Home office and vehicle deductions
  • Retirement plan setup (SEP IRA, Solo 401k)

The earlier the better. We accept new clients year-round, but our calendar fills up quickly in January and February. If you are reading this in the fall or early winter, now is an excellent time to reach out and get on our schedule before the busy season begins.

Accounting & Bookkeeping

On a monthly basis, JRH provides extensive bookkeeping services tailored to each client's needs, including:

  • Bank reconciliations
  • Check disbursement recording
  • Recording of sales and deposits
  • General journal entries
  • Sales tax calculations and return preparation
  • Electronic filing and payment of monthly, quarterly, and annual tax returns
  • Balance sheet, income statement, trial balance, and general ledger reporting

We access online records where available so we do not disrupt you or your staff.

We compile the accounting reports necessary for your business, including a balance sheet, income statement (profit and loss), trial balance, general ledger, and other related reports. These reports form the basis for financial planning, tax estimates, and tax return preparation.

Yes. We work with QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop. We can set up, optimize, and support your QuickBooks environment, and we can access your online records directly to perform bookkeeping without disrupting your day-to-day operations.

Yes, and it is more common than you might think. We regularly help businesses catch up on months or even years of disorganized records. We will assess the situation, create a plan, and get everything in order so you have clean financials going forward and a clear picture of where your business stands.

Incorporations

Yes. JRH handles the full incorporation process so you can focus on running your business. We obtain everything you need to get started properly, including:

  • Corporate filing receipt and incorporation forms
  • Federal tax ID number (EIN)
  • New York State sales tax vendor license
  • State employer identification number
  • State online account setup
  • Corporation book with all organizational documents

The right structure depends on your specific business, income level, and long-term goals. Both LLCs and S-Corps offer liability protection, but they differ significantly in how they are taxed and administered.

An S-Corp can provide self-employment tax savings for higher-earning business owners, while an LLC offers more flexibility with simpler administration. We will walk through the pros and cons of each during your consultation and recommend the structure that makes the most sense for your situation.

Yes. Restructuring an existing business is one of the most common and valuable things we help clients with, particularly as their revenue grows or their circumstances change. We analyze your current structure, model out the tax implications of alternatives, and guide the transition with minimal disruption.

Retirement Planning

JRH & Associates assists with a full range of retirement planning services, including:

  • Setting up 401(k) plans for businesses and their employees
  • Traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE IRA planning and setup
  • Pension and profit-sharing plan structuring
  • Required minimum distribution (RMD) strategy
  • Retirement income planning and withdrawal strategy
  • Business succession planning

The sooner the better, but it is never too late. Ideally, retirement planning starts years before you leave work so we can optimize contributions, reduce future tax liability, and structure your assets efficiently. If retirement is imminent, there are still meaningful steps we can take to protect what you have built and make your income last.

Yes. RMD rules are complex and the penalties for getting them wrong are steep. We help clients calculate the correct RMD amounts across all qualifying accounts, develop a withdrawal strategy that minimizes the tax impact, and ensure full IRS compliance each year.

Service Areas

Absolutely. While our office is in Garden City, Nassau County, we serve clients throughout the entire tri-state area, all of Florida, and all 50 states. We have a secure online portal for document sharing and offer video consultations for clients who are not local.

Distance is never a barrier to receiving expert accounting and tax service from JRH.

Yes, and this is a specialty of ours. A large number of our clients maintain homes in both New York and Florida. The residency and domicile rules between these two states are complex and the financial stakes of getting them wrong can be significant.

We handle the full picture, including:

  • New York State residency and domicile analysis
  • Statutory residency rules and the 183-day test
  • Florida residency documentation and Declaration of Domicile
  • New York and Florida state tax return filing
  • Strategy to minimize New York State tax exposure

Yes. We regularly serve clients throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Westchester County, and all five boroughs of New York City. If you work in one state and live in another, we handle the multi-state filing complexity so you are in full compliance and not paying more than you owe.

Yes. We work with international clients and US expats who have US tax filing obligations. If you have foreign income, foreign accounts (FBAR obligations), or are navigating the US tax system from abroad, we can help ensure your compliance and minimize your liability.

Working With Us

Not unless you want to. We work with many clients entirely remotely through secure document sharing and video calls. In-person meetings at our Garden City office are always available and welcome for those who prefer them.

We use a secure client portal for document exchange. You can upload tax documents, financial records, and any other materials directly through the portal, and we can share completed returns and reports back to you the same way. Everything is encrypted and protected.

For clients who prefer it, we also accept documents in person at our Garden City office.

We serve clients across more than 30 industries. Some of the most common include:

  • Real estate investors and property managers
  • Medical, dental, and healthcare practices
  • Legal and professional service firms
  • Restaurants, hospitality, and retail
  • Construction and trades
  • Financial services and consulting
  • Technology and creative services
  • Non-profit organizations

We research each client's industry to ensure our advice reflects your specific financial environment, not generic templates.

Yes. That is one of the most important things that sets JRH apart. Every client works directly with experienced professionals who know their situation. We believe in doing it right the first time, every time, and that starts with building a real relationship, not rotating you through different staff members each year.

Nothing is required for the first consultation. Come with your questions and a general sense of your situation. If it is helpful, you are welcome to bring your most recent tax return, any IRS notices you have received, or a summary of your business finances. We will guide you through what we need during the conversation.

Where We Work

Serving clients from Garden City to across the country.

Our office is in Garden City, Nassau County. Our clients are everywhere. No matter where you are located, we make it simple to get the expert accounting and tax help you need.

Garden City, NY Nassau County Suffolk County The Hamptons Manhattan Brooklyn & Queens Westchester New Jersey Connecticut Florida (All Cities) Rockland County Nationwide (All 50 States) International Clients

Still have questions?

Call us or schedule a free consultation. We are happy to answer anything before you commit to a single thing.