LETTER OF ENGAGEMENT – TAX PREPARATION SERVICES
Dear Client(s):
Cinnamon Boyd, doing business as TOP 5 TAX (“TOP 5 TAX”), a sole proprietorship, is pleased to provide you with the professional tax preparation services described below. This Letter of Engagement confirms our mutual understanding of the terms, scope, objectives, and limitations of our engagement.
For purposes of this agreement, “TOP 5 TAX” refers to Cinnamon Boyd, doing business as TOP 5 TAX, and “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to the same. “You” or “Client” refers to the taxpayer(s) signing this agreement.
All services will be performed in accordance with applicable federal and state tax laws and generally accepted professional standards governing tax return preparation.
Scope of Engagement
We will prepare your Federal income tax return and, if applicable, your home state income tax return for the 2025 tax year, as well as any other tax years or state returns you specifically request and authorize us to prepare.
The tax return(s) will be prepared solely from information you provide. We will not audit, examine, or otherwise verify the accuracy or completeness of the information submitted, although we may request clarification or additional documentation where necessary.
Client Responsibilities
You agree to provide complete, accurate, and timely information necessary for the preparation of your tax return(s), including but not limited to Forms W-2, 1099, 1098, K-1, income records, expense records, and all supporting documentation.
You are responsible for:
Determining your filing obligations with any federal, state, or local taxing authority
The accuracy and completeness of all information provided. Retaining records required to substantiate income, deductions, and credits claimed.
You acknowledge that you have the final responsibility for the accuracy of your tax return(s) and agree to carefully review all returns before signing and authorizing filing.
TOP 5 TAX Responsibilities
We will prepare your return(s) based on the filing status you select (single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, or qualifying widow(er)). You agree to notify us promptly of any changes affecting filing status.
Where tax law is unclear or subject to interpretation, we may explain available positions and will follow positions requested by you that are legal and reasonably supported. If such positions are later challenged, you understand that any additional tax, interest, or penalties assessed are your responsibility.
Our services do not include tax planning, audit representation, or responding to notices or examinations by taxing authorities. These services are available only under a separate written engagement.
We make no guarantees regarding refund amounts, tax liabilities, or tax outcomes.
Payment, Authorization, Refunds, and Abandonment
The tax preparation fee is charged for the preparation of your tax return(s) and not solely for filing or transmission. Once preparation of your return(s) has begun, the preparation fee is fully earned, and you are responsible for payment of the full fee regardless of whether you choose to file, transmit, sign, or proceed.
The preparation fee represents compensation for professional time, analysis, calculations, and expertise and is not contingent upon filing, transmission, or acceptance by any taxing authority.
Authorization to Charge / Debit
By signing this agreement, you authorize TOP 5 TAX, directly or through its payment processor (including CPA Charge), to charge and/or debit any payment method or bank account you provide and keep on file for payment of all preparation fees and any remaining balance due.
Authorization includes charges made after preparation is completed, after refund issuance, or after abandonment of the engagement, without further notice.
No documents, including completed tax return(s), will be released until payment has been made in full.
Refunds and Offsets
If you elect to pay your preparation fee from your tax refund and your refund is delayed, reduced, denied, intercepted, or offset by the Internal Revenue Service, a state taxing authority, or any governmental agency or creditor (including but not limited to child support, student loans, back taxes, unemployment overpayments, or other government debts), you remain fully responsible for payment of all preparation fees. You authorize TOP 5 TAX, directly or through its payment processor (including CPA Charge), to charge the payment method or account on file for any unpaid balance.
If your refund is issued by paper check, prepaid card, or any method other than direct deposit, you remain fully responsible for payment. You authorize TOP 5 TAX to charge the payment method or account on file regardless of the refund delivery method.
TOP 5 TAX does not receive, possess, endorse, or negotiate refund checks. Any charge or debit is solely for payment of earned preparation fees and not an assignment of your tax refund.
How to Check for Existing Refund Offsets
You are responsible for determining whether you have outstanding obligations that may result in a refund offset. You may contact the Treasury Offset Program (TOP) operated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury:
Phone: 1-800-304-3107
Online: Treasury Offset Program (official government website)
State taxing authorities may also offset refunds for state-level debts. TOP 5 TAX does not perform offset checks on your behalf and makes no representations or guarantees regarding whether your refund will be subject to offset.
Abandonment / Refusal to Sign
If you discontinue services, fail to respond, fail to provide required information, or refuse to sign, approve, transmit, or file the completed return(s) after preparation has been substantially or fully completed, you acknowledge that services have been rendered and the preparation fee is fully earned.
A return is considered abandoned if you fail to approve or proceed within ten (10) calendar days after written or electronic notice that the return is ready for review. Services are deemed substantially complete once calculations, forms, and schedules necessary to prepare the return have been finalized, whether or not the return is filed.
Refusal to sign or file does not relieve you of your obligation to pay. TOP 5 TAX is authorized to collect the full preparation fee using the payment method or account on file, directly or through its payment processor (including CPA Charge).
Self-Employed, 1099, and Schedule C Clients
If you receive income reported on Form 1099, operate as a sole proprietor, perform gig or freelance work, or file Schedule C (Profit or Loss From Business), the following additional terms apply:
You are solely responsible for:
Determining whether an activity constitutes a trade or business versus a hobby
Providing complete and accurate records of gross receipts, cash income, and expenses. Maintaining documentation required by the IRS, including receipts, mileage logs, bank statements, and business-use allocations
TOP 5 TAX relies exclusively on the information you provide and does not audit, verify, or independently substantiate business income or expenses. We do not determine legitimacy beyond confirming expenses are generally allowable under tax law based on the information submitted.
Certain expenses (including meals, travel, vehicle use, home office, supplies, and mixed-use expenses) are subject to heightened IRS scrutiny and require specific documentation. Failure to maintain adequate records may result in disallowed deductions, additional tax, penalties, or interest, for which you are solely responsible.
If you request an aggressive or unsupported position, TOP 5 TAX reserves the right to decline the position or require written acknowledgment that it is taken at your direction.
You acknowledge that self-employment income may result in self-employment tax, estimated tax requirements, and increased audit risk. TOP 5 TAX makes no guarantees regarding tax savings, audit outcomes, or refunds related to Schedule C or 1099 filings.
Returns including Schedule C or 1099 income generally involve greater complexity and may result in higher preparation fees.
Late Fees, Collections, and Venue
Unpaid balances are subject to interest of 1.5% per month or the maximum rate allowed by law, plus reasonable collection costs and attorney fees incurred to enforce this agreement. Failure to maintain valid payment information on file does not relieve you of your obligation to pay.
This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the state in which TOP 5 TAX, a sole proprietorship owned by Cinnamon Boyd, operates, and venue for enforcement shall lie in the appropriate court of that jurisdiction.
Defamation, False Statements, and Public Communications
The Client agrees to refrain from making or publishing any false, misleading, or defamatory statements about TOP 5 TAX, its owner, services, business practices, or professional conduct, whether orally or in writing, including but not limited to statements made on social media, review platforms, online forums, or other public or private communications.
Nothing in this agreement prohibits the Client from expressing truthful, factual opinions or experiences. However, statements that are knowingly false, made with reckless disregard for the truth, or intended to harm the business’s reputation constitute a material breach of this agreement.
In the event the Client publishes false or defamatory statements regarding TOP 5 TAX, TOP 5 TAX reserves the right to pursue all lawful remedies, including but not limited to, demands for retraction or correction, claims for damages, recovery of reasonable attorney fees and costs, and any other relief available under applicable law. This provision survives termination of the engagement.
Acknowledgment & Authorization
I have read and understand the contents of this Letter of Engagement.
By signing below, I acknowledge that this is a legal and binding agreement between myself and Cinnamon Boyd, doing business as TOP 5 TAX.
The Client agrees that any dispute regarding services shall be addressed directly with TOP 5 TAX prior to publication on any public platform.
I authorize automatic charges or debits, including those processed through CPA Charge or another designated payment processor, as described above. I understand that tax preparation fees are earned upon preparation, even if I refuse to sign, transmit, or file the return.