ProAxis Pricing — Transparent CPA Fees for NJ, NY & PA
ProAxis Tax & Accounting Services publishes its fee structure up front. Bookkeeping by transaction volume. Tax returns by complexity. Payroll and one-time engagements at fixed prices. No rush surcharges. No hidden fees.
Three ProAxis Pricing Principles
- Complexity-based, not urgency-based. Fees are determined by the complexity of your return or business — not how close to the deadline you call. ProAxis charges no rush fees, no surcharges, no premium for last-minute work.
- Fixed fees, documented in writing. Tax preparation, business returns, and annual bookkeeping engagements are quoted as fixed fees in a signed engagement letter before work begins. No surprise invoices.
- Free initial consultation. Every prospective client gets a free consultation and prior-return review at no cost. ProAxis provides a written price quote within 48 hours.
Outsourced Bookkeeping — Monthly Pricing
Tier is determined by transaction volume, payroll headcount, number of business bank accounts, and entity complexity. The free consultation includes a tier recommendation. Full methodology in the canonical bookkeeping cost guide.
Pricing ranges shown reflect typical engagements and are not offers. Actual fees are scoped during the engagement-letter process and depend on volume, entity structure, and specific scope. See Disclaimer.
| Profile | Annual Revenue | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Solo / freelancer | Under $200K | $300–$500/month |
| Small business | Under $500K | $400–$700/month |
| Growing business | $500K–$2M | $700–$1,400/month |
| Established business | $2M–$5M | $1,200–$2,500/month |
| Multi-entity / complex | Any | $1,800–$4,000+/month |
| Catch-up bookkeeping | Per backlog month | $300–$600/month |
Bundle discount: 10% off the tax return fee when paired with monthly bookkeeping. Add payroll for 5% off bookkeeping.
Tax Preparation — Starting Prices
Starting prices below. Final fee depends on full scope, identified at the free consultation. Each return is fixed-fee in the engagement letter.
| Return Type | Scope | Starting From |
|---|---|---|
| Individual return (Form 1040) | W-2 income, standard deduction | $300 |
| Individual return (Form 1040) — itemized + investments | Schedule A, B, D; brokerage 1099-B | $500 |
| Individual return — multi-state | 1040 + NY-IT-203 or PA-40 nonresident | $650 |
| Individual return — rental property / Schedule E | 1040 + Schedule E for 1–3 properties | $700 |
| Individual return — self-employed (Schedule C) | 1040 + Schedule C + SE | $650 |
| S-Corp return (Form 1120-S) | Including Schedule K-1s for shareholders | $1,200 |
| Partnership return (Form 1065) | Including Schedule K-1s for partners | $1,200 |
| C-Corp return (Form 1120) | Standard corporate return | $1,500 |
| Form 990 (non-profit) | 501(c)(3) annual return | $1,500 |
| Federal extension (Form 4868) + NJ-630 | Filed with safe-harbor estimate | $150 |
Multi-state nonresident returns add $150–$400 per additional state. K-1 preparation included in the entity return fee.
One-Time Engagements
Common project-based engagements with starting prices. All quoted as fixed fees in the engagement letter.
| Engagement | Scope | Starting From |
|---|---|---|
| S-Corp election (Form 2553) | Analysis + filing + first-year setup | $500 |
| LLC formation (NJ) | Articles of Organization + EIN + Operating Agreement | $500 |
| LLC formation (other states) | Same scope, state-specific filings | $650 |
| QuickBooks Online setup | Chart of accounts, bank connections, opening balances | $650 |
| Penalty abatement filing | First-Time Abatement or Reasonable Cause | $500 |
| IRS installment agreement | Form 9465 + supporting financial disclosure | $500 |
| Offer in Compromise (Form 656) | Full Form 433-A/433-B preparation | $2,500 |
| NJ BAIT election filing (Form PTE-100) | Election + quarterly payment calendar | $300/year |
| Cost segregation referral | Coordinated with engineering firm | Quoted per project |
What ProAxis Pricing Does NOT Include
Three categories are excluded from published pricing and quoted separately when needed:
- IRS or state audit representation — quoted per engagement based on scope and expected hours.
- Legal advice or representation in court — ProAxis is a CPA firm, not a law firm. Complex legal matters are referred to attorneys.
- Investment advice or securities recommendations — separate from tax planning. Requires Series 65 / RIA license that ProAxis does not hold.
How ProAxis Quotes Final Fees
- Free consultation — schedule via proaxiscpa.com/contact or call (201) 800-2330. Typically 30–45 minutes by video.
- Prior-return + scope review — ProAxis reviews your last 1–3 years of returns, current entity structure, and the work you need going forward.
- Written price quote within 48 hours — fixed fee for tax preparation and bookkeeping; hourly only for ad-hoc advisory.
- Engagement letter signed before work begins — defines scope, fees, billing terms, and both parties' responsibilities.
- Monthly billing via auto-pay — ACH or credit card on the same day each month.
How ProAxis Pricing Compares to Other CPA Firms
Comparing ProAxis to other options? See the side-by-side comparison pages for detailed breakdowns of pricing, scope, and fit for NJ businesses:
Frequently Asked Questions — Pricing
Does ProAxis charge by the hour or fixed fee?
ProAxis prefers fixed fees for tax preparation, business returns, and annual bookkeeping engagements so clients know the cost up front. Hourly rates apply only to ad-hoc advisory work outside a defined engagement (typically $200–$300 per hour). Fixed fees are documented in an engagement letter signed before work begins.
Are there any rush fees for last-minute filing?
No. ProAxis does not charge rush fees or surcharges for last-minute work. Fees are based on return complexity, not urgency. Last-minute filers in the final 72 hours before April 15 are subject to capacity availability — the firm prioritizes existing clients first — but pricing is identical.
What's NOT included in published prices?
Three things: (1) Audit representation by the IRS or NJ Division of Taxation — quoted separately based on scope; (2) Legal advice or representation in court — ProAxis is a CPA firm, not a law firm, and refers complex legal matters to attorneys; (3) Investment advice or securities recommendations — separate from tax planning, requires a Series 65 / RIA license that ProAxis does not hold.
Are bookkeeping fees billed monthly or annually?
Monthly. Bookkeeping engagements are billed monthly via auto-pay (ACH or credit card). The annual fee is divided by 12 and charged on the same day each month. The first month is pro-rated to the engagement start date.
Do you offer discounts for non-profits or new businesses?
501(c)(3) non-profit organizations receive 10% off Form 990 preparation and 10% off monthly bookkeeping. New businesses in their first 6 months receive a free initial consultation and a complimentary entity-structure analysis. There are no other discount programs — pricing is the same across all clients in the same complexity tier.
How is the bookkeeping tier determined?
ProAxis assesses transaction volume (bank + credit card line items per month), payroll headcount, number of business bank accounts, accounts receivable and payable workflow complexity, and any inventory or multi-entity considerations. The free consultation includes a tier recommendation. The recommendation is documented in the engagement letter; tiers are reviewed annually.
Can I bundle services for a discount?
Yes. Clients who engage ProAxis for both monthly bookkeeping AND business tax preparation receive a 10% discount on the tax return fee. Clients who add payroll receive an additional 5% off the bookkeeping fee. Bundle discounts are reflected in the engagement letter.
What if my needs change mid-year?
Engagement scope changes are common — businesses grow, add employees, take on a second entity, or face an IRS notice mid-year. ProAxis handles scope changes by amending the engagement letter and adjusting the monthly fee prospectively. Existing-month fees are not retroactively changed. Out-of-scope ad-hoc work is billed at the hourly rate or as a quoted one-time fee.
Do prices include state filings outside NJ, NY, and PA?
Multi-state nonresident returns add $150–$400 per additional state to the federal 1040 base price, depending on state complexity. CA, NY, and IL are typically at the higher end; states with simpler returns (FL, TX, NV — no income tax) are not applicable. The free consultation confirms the multi-state scope and total price before engagement.
How do I get a firm price for my situation?
Schedule a free consultation at proaxiscpa.com/contact or call (201) 800-2330. The consultation reviews your prior return, current entity structure, and scope needed for the year ahead. ProAxis provides a written price quote within 48 hours of the consultation, documented in an engagement letter you can review before signing.
Ready for a Firm Price Quote?
Schedule a free consultation with ProAxis Tax & Accounting Services. Written price quote within 48 hours, fixed fee in the engagement letter — no surprises, no rush surcharges.