Lake Mary FL Tax Preparation for Self-Employed and Owners
Updated September 26, 2026
Lake Mary is next door to our Longwood office
Lake Mary sits in Seminole County, right beside Longwood, where our office is at 2941 W State Rd 434, Suite 100. If you work for yourself here, we are close by. You still will not need to come in, because the return is prepared online.
This page is written for people who earn money outside a regular paycheck: consultants, contractors, freelancers, owners of small companies and anyone with a side business. If you only have a W-2, our simple return may be all you need, and it starts at $99.
The yearly to-do list for a Lake Mary business owner
Filing your federal return is one item. Florida adds a few more depending on what you do. Here are the ones you can check against official sources.
- Local business tax receipt. Under Florida law, receipts expire on September 30 and renewals are due on or before that date. If you renew late, a penalty starts at 10 percent in October and grows by 5 percent each month, up to a cap of 25 percent of the tax. Operating without a current receipt when one is required carries its own 25 percent penalty.
- Sales tax registration. A person who does business as a dealer must register with the Florida Department of Revenue before starting to sell.
- Tangible personal property return. Business equipment is reported to the county property appraiser by April 1. Florida offers an exemption of up to $25,000 of assessed value, and it requires an initial return to claim it.
Which of these applies to you depends on your business. The city and county offices decide what you need locally, so confirm with them.
How self-employed income gets reported
A self-employed return starts at $299 with us. You list what you earned, subtract the expenses that qualify, and pay tax on the difference. Sloppy records are the usual reason people leave deductions on the table or feel unsure about their numbers.
If you want steadier books, monthly bookkeeping starts at $300. That is often cheaper than the stress of rebuilding twelve months of transactions in March.
Two guides may help you get oriented: quarterly estimated taxes and the self-employed checklist.
Working with us from anywhere in Lake Mary
The process is built around your schedule, not a storefront's. You begin with a short questionnaire. We reply with a free quote that lists every fee, including e-file and processing fees. You upload records securely, we prepare the return, and you review it before anything is sent. Signing happens electronically.
Questions along the way go to 689-331-5723 or info@zerofusstaxes.com. If you would rather send photos of paper receipts, that works too.
Bring these for a business return
- Forms 1099-NEC, 1099-K and 1099-MISC, if you received any.
- A profit and loss summary, or account and card statements we can build one from.
- Mileage totals for business driving.
- Home office details, if you use part of your home for work.
- Estimated tax payments you already made this year.
- Your local business tax receipt and business start date.
- Prior-year return, ID and Social Security numbers.
Questions worth asking any preparer
Before you hire anyone, ask a few direct questions. Does the person only prepare returns, or do they claim to represent you before the IRS? Is the fee in writing before work begins? Are e-file and processing fees listed separately? Is the fee ever tied to the size of a refund?
Our answers are simple. We prepare returns only. The price is in a free quote. E-file and processing fees are stated. Fees never depend on refund size. A preparer who cannot answer those four cleanly is worth a second look, whether you are in Lake Mary or anywhere else.
A note on timing
Renewals and returns pile up around the same season for many owners, so start gathering records early.
What we do not do
We prepare returns. We are not a CPA firm, and we do not give legal advice or represent anyone before the IRS. If you receive a notice, we can help you understand what it generally means, but for representation you should speak with a qualified professional who does that work.
Send your records when you have them, and we will work through the list with you. If a receipt is missing, tell us what it was for, and we will explain what alternatives are usually acceptable. Owners in Lake Mary who start early tend to have calmer springs.
A real preparer reviews and signs your return. You see the free quote before we start.
FAQ
Do I need a business tax receipt for a home-based business?
That depends on your city and county rules. Florida law lets local governments require the receipt, so ask the local office that covers your address.
Can you prepare my return if I have both a W-2 and side income?
Yes. Side income is reported as self-employment, and the self-employed return starting price applies.
Is bookkeeping separate from my tax return?
Yes. Bookkeeping starts at $300 a month and keeps your records current so the return is easier to prepare.
Will I get a firm price before you start?
You will get a free quote that shows the final fee plus e-file and processing fees. The listed prices are starting points only.
Nearby areas we serve
Sources
- flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/205.053
- flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/212.18
- flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/193.062
- flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/196.183
- flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/205.042
General information, not tax advice for your specific situation. Zero Fuss Taxes is a PTIN-holding tax preparation firm. We are not a CPA firm, enrolled agents or attorneys.
How do Lake Mary clients send their documents?
Through our secure upload portal, by text, or by email. Our office follows up until everything needed actually arrives, so Lake Mary clients never have to remember what is missing.