OUR SERVICES

Tax strategy, planning, preparation and advisory

Expertise in Areas that Matter to You Most

Tax Strategy & Planning

Architected months if not years in advance

Many of the most consequential tax decisions are irreversible: the year you sell a home or rental property, convert to Roth, recognize a large gain, exercise and sell ISOs or NSOs, change careers or move out of state. Others, such as PTET and 83(b) elections, must be made within limited windows.

Natalie begins by understanding your goals and concerns, then models your situation months, and ideally years, in advance, comparing alternative decisions side by side so you can choose with confidence. Projections are updated quarterly or semi-annually, keeping you on track and free of year-end surprises.

You work directly with Natalie, from strategy through your personal and business returns, so the plan you agree on is the one reflected on your return. No handoffs, no fee surprises.

Let’s get our conversation started.

Quarterly Tax Management

Keeping you focused and on-track with your year-end tax minimization goals, and required estimated tax payments.

Income rarely arrives as forecast. Bonuses, vesting events, practice distributions and investment activity shift the picture throughout the year. Each quarter, Natalie refines your federal and California projections and, when they call for a change in withholding or estimated payments, walks you through the adjustment and why.

California’s uneven estimate schedule and stricter safe harbor rules at higher incomes stay in view, so you avoid penalties without paying more than necessary in advance.

INCLUDES

Quarterly updates and refinements to federal and California tax projections
A discussion of any change in estimated payments or withholding the updated projections require
Federal and California safe harbor management
Mid-year adjustments for vesting events, bonuses and other changes

Federal & State
Tax Preparation

Federal and state tax returns prepared, signed and filed by Natalie in full compliance with tax laws capturing all deductions and credits planned for, earned and deserved.

Personal (Forms 1040 and 540) and multi-state returns
S-corporation (1120S and 100S) returns
Limited Liability Company (LLC) returns
Partnership returns
Trust and estate returns
Amended returns
Late S-corporation elections
FBAR filings (FinCEN Form 114)

Advisory for Owner-Entrepreneurs, S-Corporations, LLCs & Partnerships

For business owners, the structure of the business and the owner's personal return are integrated and aligned. Ownership strategy for owners who think in years, not tax seasons.

Entity selection & tax election
Multi-entity structures
Post-formation financial set-up
Reasonable compensation analysis
Retirement plan selection & contributions
Accountable plans
QBI & PTET planning
Shareholder basis
Distribution planning
Depreciation strategies
Exit and succession planning

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of clients does Natalie C. Papagni, CPA serve?

High-income individuals and families, typically earning $350,000 to $1.5 million +; physicians and healthcare professionals; executives with equity compensation; and owner-entrepreneurs with S-corporations, professional medical corporations, LLCs and partnerships. Our clients are in La Jolla, greater San Diego and throughout California.

What is the difference between tax planning and tax preparation?

Tax preparation reports what already happened. Tax planning decides what happens: when income is recognized, how compensation is structured, which deductions are captured, and how decisions in one year affect the next. Most of the savings come from planning, because most strategies must be in place before December 31. We do both, so the plan and the return always match.

How are your fees structured?

Most engagements are fixed fees, agreed in advance after we understand your situation. You know the cost before we begin, and you never hesitate to call because of an hourly meter.

Does the firm handle multi-state tax returns?

Yes. Natalie C. Papagni, CPA regularly prepares multi-state individual and entity tax returns, including California Form 568 for LLCs, nonresident state returns, and filings across states such as Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. The firm also advises on residency and domicile questions and state-specific elections for clients with income, entities, or property in multiple states.

Can the firm fix mistakes made by a previous tax preparer?

Yes. Natalie C. Papagni, CPA reviews returns prepared by prior CPAs and preparers, and handles remediation directly: amended individual and business returns, corrective filings for retirement plan contribution errors, and penalty abatement requests where reasonable cause exists.

How do I contact Natalie C. Papagni, CPA?

Natalie C. Papagni, CPA is located at 4275 Executive Square, Suite 200, La Jolla, CA 92037, serving clients throughout San Diego and California. You can reach us at (858) 754-8277 or service@lajollataxcpa.com, schedule a complimentary introductory call or zoom meeting following the link on our website or fill out the contact form.

What is the value of tax planning? Will it pay for itself?

For most clients with a business entity or complex income, yes — often several times over. Prior to beginning an engagement, Natalie C. Papagni, CPA - Tax, Planning & Advisory Services works on fixed, flat fee agreements. If additional information is provided during an engagement increasing engagement complexity or scope, we will discuss the additional work effort required and agree upon any additional fees.

Do I need to be in La Jolla or San Diego to work with you?

No. Natalie C. Papagni, CPA - Tax, Planning & Advisory Services serves professionals & high-income earners, physicians & healthcare professionals, business owners - entrepreneurs and businesses throughout California. We generally travel to Northern California multiple times a year for client meetings. Our full encrypted file sharing portal, state of the art technology, responsiveness, and availability for Zoom meetings and phone calls make location irrelevant.

What is the company's culture?

Our firm is rooted in four values: quality, compassion, integrity and a commitment to high-impact results. We build authentic relationships, deliver excellence, exceed expectations and support the clients and communities we serve.

Can I work with Natalie C. Papagni, CPA - Tax, Planning & Advisory Services if I'm not currently a high-income earner however that is my future?

Yes. Natalie C. Papagni, CPA - Tax, Planning & Advisory Services is, in fact, currently working with a number of residents in the last year of their residency, professionals with vesting RSUs and new business owners that are not currently high-income earners, but who benefit from our financial and multi-year strategic tax planning guidance as their financial growth trajectory is strong.

I have a busy schedule, making it difficult to schedule a meeting business hours. Are you available to meet early evenings and on Saturdays?

Yes. Natalie C. Papagni, CPA - Tax, Planning & Advisory Services frequently schedules early evening, Saturday and Sunday appointments (by appointment only) for busy professionals via phone, Zoom and/or in-person. Many clients prefer these times, when a meeting can be focused and unhurried rather than squeezed into a busy workday.