Understand your costs
List the costs of operating your practice, including software, training, equipment, secure tools and administrative time. Then estimate the time needed for intake, preparation, review and follow-up. Looking only at data entry time can leave important work out of your pricing decisions.
Define the scope
Describe the services included in each price or estimate. A straightforward return and a case involving additional records or complex questions may require different levels of work. Define how you handle missing information, additional services and changes in scope. Use written explanations so your pricing is consistent rather than improvised.
Communicate before you begin
Ask enough questions to understand the likely work before providing an estimate. Explain what could change the estimate and when you would discuss those changes with the client. Do not promise a particular refund or connect your price to an expected refund amount. Focus the conversation on the service being provided.
Review after the season
Track the time spent on different engagements and compare it with your original assumptions. Identify which tasks took longer than expected and whether your process needs improvement. Use that information to refine future estimates. A clear pricing structure should support both a reliable client experience and a sustainable workload.
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