Tax, ITIN and Legal Help in Kissimmee

Kissimmee, Florida • Tax and legal help

A letter from the IRS, a relative who needs an ITIN, a new LLC or a family member arrested on a Friday night: each needs a different professional. This guide matches common money and legal problems in Kissimmee to the right kind of help and lists what to bring.

This article is general information, not tax or legal advice. Speak with a qualified professional about your own situation.

Tax and legal questions come up for Kissimmee households and small-business owners. The hard part is knowing who to call. A CPA, an Enrolled Agent and a criminal defense lawyer do very different jobs. Below we sort the most common situations and introduce three local offices that publish their services.

Know the professionals

1. Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Licensed by the state; handles tax returns, planning, bookkeeping, audits and advisory work.
2. Enrolled Agent (EA). Federally authorised by the IRS to represent taxpayers at every administrative level, in every state.
3. Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA). Authorised by the IRS to review identity documents for ITIN applications.
4. Criminal defense attorney. Represents people charged with crimes, from DUI to felonies.

If you have back taxes or an IRS letter

Do not ignore it. Open the letter, note the deadline and the notice number, and call a professional before you reply. Gina Byrd CPA PA, across from the Osceola County Courthouse on North Vernon Avenue, has advised Central Florida clients since 1993. It is a family firm: Gina holds a master's in accounting from UCF and has been a CPA for 30 years, and her team includes Richard and Derrick, with 16 and nine years of tax experience respectively. Its services include back taxes and IRS resolution, tax preparation and planning, audit and assurance, and nonresident tax and ITIN work. Hours are Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm, with other times by request.

Bring the IRS letter, the tax returns for the years in question, W-2s or 1099s, and any payment records.

If you need an ITIN

People who must file a US tax return but cannot get a Social Security number, such as some spouses, dependents or foreign property owners, need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. A Certifying Acceptance Agent can review identity documents in person.

FreedomTax Accounting on East Osceola Parkway is an in-house IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent and has served Central Florida families and businesses since 2008. Consultations are offered in English and Spanish. Hours are Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday by appointment.

Ask the office which original documents to bring; requirements depend on the applicant.

If you are starting or running a small business

New owners need to choose a structure, register with the state and set up books from day one. FreedomTax helps with Sunbiz filings, EIN applications, custom operating agreements and registered agent services, and its Enrolled Agents prepare federal and multi-state business returns. It also delivers monthly bookkeeping, financial statements and multi-state payroll. Gina Byrd CPA PA works with small businesses, property management companies and nonprofits, offers payroll and QuickBooks setup or cleanup, and is a QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Both firms are worth a call; the right one depends on whether you need formation help, ongoing books or audit work.

A simple habit that saves money at tax time: keep business and personal spending in separate accounts, and file receipts monthly in a labelled accordion folder or scan them.

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If someone is arrested

Stay calm. The person arrested should be polite, stay silent about the facts of the case and ask for a lawyer. Family members should note the arrest time, the charge and the jail, and call a defense attorney before the first appearance if possible.

Chad M. Seibel, P.A. on West Bryan Street is a criminal defense firm serving Kissimmee and the Orlando area. Chad Seibel has been a member of The Florida Bar since 2013 and honed his practice at Don Waggoner Law, the Kissimmee firm founded by a former Osceola County assistant public defender. The firm handles DUI cases, including breath test refusals and the 10-day rule for a hardship license, traffic crimes such as driving while license suspended and leaving the scene, and charges including drugs, theft, burglary, assault, domestic violence and juvenile offenses. Clients can call or text, and the site says most messages are answered the same day. Consultations are free, office visits are by appointment and Spanish is spoken.

After a DUI arrest in Florida there is a short window to challenge a license suspension, so do not wait. Bring the arrest paperwork, any citations and the bond documents to the consultation.

Documents checklist

1. Tax problems. Notices, past returns, W-2s, 1099s, bank statements and payment records.
2. ITIN. Original identity documents as directed by the CAA and the tax return that requires the number.
3. New business. Owner IDs, business name ideas, address and expected revenue.
4. Arrest. Arrest report, citation, bond paperwork and a timeline of events.

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Quick answers

Who can help me get an ITIN in Kissimmee?

FreedomTax Accounting is an in-house IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent, and Gina Byrd CPA PA lists nonresident tax and ITIN services.

What is the difference between a CPA and an Enrolled Agent?

A CPA is state-licensed for accounting and tax work. An EA is federally authorised to represent taxpayers before the IRS.

Is there a criminal defense lawyer near the Osceola courthouse?

Chad M. Seibel, P.A. on West Bryan Street offers free consultations by appointment.