🏠 Home office
We evaluate the simplified and regular methods and use the one that fits your records and situation.
💼 Business & self-employed tax preparation · Arlington & Williamsburg, VA
Small Business & Self-Employed Tax Preparation in Arlington and Williamsburg, Virginia Accurate returns. Clear answers. Planning that starts before April.
Griffin & Johnson prepares federal and Virginia returns for freelancers, contractors, and small business owners. We look closely at your income, expenses, and entity structure so your return reflects your business accurately and claims the deductions you are entitled to.
👤 Sole proprietor🏢 Single-member LLC🤝 Partnership📋 S corporation📄 1099 contractorBusiness-owner Form 1040
21+Years of experience
BBBAccredited business
50+Google reviews
2Virginia offices
Common deductions
Where self-employed filers often overlook tax savings
We review the records you provide and apply the method that fits your facts and the rules for the tax year.
🚗 Vehicle use
Standard mileage or actual expenses, with the documentation each method requires.
❤️ Health insurance
May be deductible above the line, subject to eligibility and income limits.
💰 SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k)
Contributions can reduce taxable income. Limits depend on the plan, tax year, age, and compensation.
📊 QBI deduction
Section 199A may reduce tax for eligible pass-through owners, depending on income, business type, and other factors.
🔧 Equipment and tools
Section 179 and bonus depreciation may allow faster deductions for qualifying purchases.
Two local offices
Small business tax preparation in Arlington and Williamsburg
🏛️ Arlington, Virginia
Arlington has independent consultants, professional-services firms, and owners who work with federal agencies and defense contractors. Griffin & Johnson prepares federal and Virginia returns for Arlington sole proprietors, LLCs, partnerships, and S corporations.
- Schedule C returns for consultants and freelancers
- Partnership and S corporation returns, including K-1s and basis
- Government and defense contractor income
- Virginia PTET preparation when the election applies
- Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. considerations
- Coordination of business and personal returns
🏡 Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg has family-owned companies, independent professionals, contractors, and businesses with seasonal income. Griffin & Johnson prepares their federal and Virginia returns.
- Schedule C returns for local owners
- Partnership and S corporation returns, including K-1s and basis
- Seasonal and variable-income reporting
- Virginia PTET preparation when applicable
- Employee and 1099 contractor questions
- Coordination of business and personal returns
Entity review
Why the self-employment tax and entity question matters
An S corporation election may reduce self-employment tax when it is paired with reasonable compensation. It is not right for every business, and savings are not guaranteed.
Sole proprietor or single-member LLC
- Net earnings are generally subject to self-employment tax
- No payroll is required for the owner
- Simpler compliance and fewer formalities
S corporation
- Owner salary is subject to payroll tax
- Distributions receive different treatment
- Payroll, Form 1120-S, and reasonable-compensation documentation are required
- Higher administrative cost
Who this is for
Business returns that need more than basic data entry
Built for owners whose entity, income, payroll, or filing obligations need closer review.
📈 Growing Schedule C businesses
Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs whose profit has grown.
🏢 Existing S corporations
Owners who have not reviewed compensation or filing procedures recently.
🤝 Partnerships
Multi-member LLCs that need careful K-1, basis, and allocation work.
👥 Employers and contractors
Owners managing payroll, W-2 reporting, or 1099 contractors.
🛡️ Government contractors
Consultants and contractors working in Arlington and Northern Virginia.
🗺️ Multistate owners
Owners who live or earn income across Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, D.C.
Preparation checklist
What to bring for business tax preparation
Complete records help us prepare the return accurately and identify missing information before filing.
- ✓ Prior-year federal and Virginia returns
- ✓ Profit-and-loss statement and balance sheet
- ✓ Forms 1099-NEC, 1099-K, and 1099-MISC
- ✓ Payroll reports and W-2/W-3 filings
- ✓ Mileage log or vehicle expense records
- ✓ Home-office measurements and expenses
- ✓ Equipment and asset purchase records
- ✓ Retirement and health-insurance statements
- ✓ Estimated-tax payment records
- ✓ K-1s received
- ✓ Operating agreement or S-election letter
- ✓ Other state filing records
Services and support
A clear scope for the work you need
Tax preparation
Federal and Virginia returns for sole proprietors, LLCs, partnerships, and S corporations, plus the owner's personal return when included in the engagement.
Entity review
Modeling sole proprietor, LLC, and S corporation outcomes using the owner's actual numbers and expected costs.
Owner compensation
Reasonable-compensation review for S corporation owners based on the work performed and the available facts.
Retirement-plan coordination
Review of SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and Solo 401(k) options. Contribution limits depend on the tax year, age, compensation, and plan structure.
Year-round advisory engagement
What it looks like when someone is actually watching your numbers
For clients enrolled in a year-round planning engagement, scheduled reviews help address tax decisions while there is still time to act. The exact meetings and deliverables are defined in the engagement.
📄 Return filing and next-year foundation
Complete the prior-year return, build the estimated-payment schedule, review entity questions, and confirm retirement contribution deadlines.
📊 First-half review
Compare actual results with projections, adjust estimated payments when needed, and review owner compensation and documented purchases.
🗓️ Year-end planning begins
Review open decisions involving equipment, retirement contributions, estimated payments, and the timing of income and expenses.
✅ Final execution and deadlines
Complete the agreed year-end steps, confirm funding deadlines, calculate final estimates, and document the remaining tax information.
Frequently asked questions
Answers for business owners
Does business tax preparation include my personal return?
It can. Pass-through income flows to the personal return, so preparing both can help keep the figures consistent. The scope is confirmed during intake.
Can you help with an S corporation election?
We can review whether an election makes sense for your numbers and prepare the required returns. Tax savings are not guaranteed.
What is Virginia's pass-through entity tax?
Eligible partnerships and S corporations may elect to pay Virginia income tax at the entity level, with corresponding credits for eligible owners. We evaluate the election case by case.
What if I earn income in D.C. or Maryland?
Multistate income can require additional returns and credits. We review where you live, work, and operate the business.
What if I have employees or contractors?
We review the related tax-reporting questions and coordinate with the payroll provider when needed.
Is it too late to start planning mid-year?
Not always. Estimated payments, retirement funding, and equipment purchase timing may still be open before year-end.
Ready to get your business return prepared correctly?
Submit your intake form and we will follow up about the records, scope, timing, and fees for your engagement.