Accountants & tax strategists in Columbia, MD
From freelancers and W-2 households to growing companies, Columbia clients come to BATS for tax preparation, year-round planning and help with the IRS. Everything happens online, so you get a dedicated advisor without the drive.
Taxes for Columbia individuals and businesses
Maryland taxes personal income, and state returns are filed with the Comptroller of Maryland. Planning has to account for both federal and Maryland rules. Every Maryland county and Baltimore City levies a local income tax that is filed on the state return.
Columbia clients work with BATS entirely online: book a call, upload documents through the secure portal and review your return or plan with your advisor before anything is filed.
Working with BATS in Columbia
- Service area
- Columbia and surrounding communities
- State agency
- Comptroller of Maryland
- State tax on wages
- Yes
- Statewide sales tax
- Yes
- Meetings
- Phone and video, at times that suit you
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm ET
- Contact
- [PHONE NUMBER]
Popular services in Columbia
Individual Tax Preparation
Federal and state Form 1040 preparation for W-2 earners, families and investors, filed electronically and reviewed line by line.
Learn moreTax Preparation & FilingBusiness Tax Preparation
Partnership, S corporation and C corporation tax returns prepared accurately and on time, with K-1s delivered to owners.
Learn moreTax Planning & StrategyTax Planning & Strategy
Proactive, year-round tax planning that lowers your bill through timing, structure, retirement contributions and credits.
Learn moreAccounting & BookkeepingBookkeeping Services
Monthly bookkeeping, bank reconciliations and financial reports so your numbers are always current and tax-ready.
Learn moreAccounting & BookkeepingPayroll Services
Full-service payroll with direct deposit, federal and state payroll tax filings, W-2s and new-hire reporting.
Learn moreIRS Representation & ResolutionIRS Audit Representation
Representation before the IRS and state tax agencies during correspondence, office and field audits.
Learn moreEvery BATS service available in Columbia
Tax Preparation & Filing
Tax Planning & Strategy
IRS Representation & Resolution
Accounting & Bookkeeping
Columbia clients we help most
Individuals & families
W-2 earners, families and investors who want every credit and deduction they are owed.
Learn moreSmall businesses
LLCs, S corporations and partnerships that need clean books, payroll and smart returns.
Learn moreSelf-employed & freelancers
Contractors and gig workers managing self-employment tax and quarterly payments.
Learn moreReal estate investors
Landlords and short-term rental hosts using depreciation and 1031 exchanges.
Learn moreE-commerce sellers
Online sellers juggling payouts, inventory and multi-state sales tax.
Learn moreAccounting firms
CPA and tax practices that need extra preparation or bookkeeping capacity.
Learn moreCommon situations we handle for Columbia clients
You moved to or from another state
We file part-year returns and apply credits so income is not taxed twice.
Multi-State Tax FilingYou are managing a loved one's estate
We prepare final returns and fiduciary returns and support the executor.
Estate & Trust TaxYou are behind on filing
We pull IRS transcripts, file missing years and work on penalties and any balance.
Back Taxes & Unfiled ReturnsYou owe more than you can pay
We negotiate installment agreements or settlements when you qualify.
IRS Payment Plans & Tax Debt ReliefYou hired your first employee
We register payroll accounts, run payroll and file quarterly returns.
Payroll ServicesYou sell online
We reconcile marketplace payouts, track inventory and review sales tax obligations.
E-Commerce AccountingStarting or running a business in Columbia
The tax and registration steps for a new Columbia business, in order. We can handle the tax side of each one.
- Choose your structureDecide between a sole proprietorship, LLC, S corporation or C corporation based on your expected profit.
- Register with MarylandForm your entity with Maryland's business filing office and get a federal EIN from the IRS.
- Open tax accountsRegister with the Comptroller of Maryland for sales tax and, if you hire, payroll accounts.
- Check Columbia licensesConfirm any city or county business licenses and permits required for your type of business in Columbia.
- Set up books and payrollOpen a business bank account, connect accounting software and set up payroll before the first pay date.
- Calendar your deadlinesPut federal, state and local filing and payment dates in one schedule so nothing is missed.
Tax deadlines for Columbia
Calendar-year filers. Dates move to the next business day on weekends and holidays. Maryland and local deadlines are added to your personal calendar when you work with us.
| Jan 15 | Fourth-quarter estimated tax payment for the prior year |
|---|---|
| Jan 31 | W-2s and 1099-NEC forms due to workers and the IRS |
| Mar 15 | Partnership (1065) and S corporation (1120-S) returns |
| Apr 15 | Individual (1040) and C corporation returns; first-quarter estimate |
| Jun 15 | Second-quarter estimated tax payment |
| Sep 15 | Third-quarter estimate; extended partnership and S corp returns |
| Oct 15 | Extended individual returns |
Getting started from Columbia
Book a consultation
Tell us about your situation in a short call or video meeting.
Share documents securely
Upload files through an encrypted client portal from any device.
Get your plan and filings
Your advisor prepares returns, books or a strategy and reviews them with you.
Stay on track all year
We keep an eye on deadlines, estimates and changes in tax law for you.
Do you have accountants who serve Columbia?
Yes. BATS serves clients in Columbia and across Maryland. We work through secure online meetings, e-signatures and an encrypted document portal, so you get a dedicated advisor without visiting an office.
Can you prepare my Maryland state return?
Yes. We prepare Maryland resident, part-year and nonresident returns along with your federal return, and file them with the Comptroller of Maryland.
Does Columbia have a local income tax?
Several local governments in Maryland levy income, wage or earnings taxes, and they depend on where you live and work. We check whether any apply to you in Columbia and include them in your filings.
How much does tax preparation cost in Columbia?
It depends on the forms involved, the number of states and how organized your records are. After a short consultation we give you a written quote, so you know the cost before any work starts.
Do you work with small businesses in Columbia?
Yes. We handle bookkeeping, payroll, business returns and year-round planning for Columbia businesses, from sole proprietors to multi-owner companies.
Does Columbia have sales tax?
Yes. Maryland charges sales tax, and local rates can add to the state rate. We help Columbia businesses register, collect the right rate and file returns with the Comptroller of Maryland.
Can you run payroll for employees in Columbia?
Yes. We register your Maryland payroll accounts, run payroll on schedule and file federal and state payroll returns, including unemployment insurance and state income tax withholding.
How do I pay estimated taxes as a Columbia freelancer?
You make quarterly federal payments with Form 1040-ES and, because Maryland taxes income, state estimated payments too. We calculate both and send reminders before each due date.
I'm moving to or from Columbia. What changes?
You may need part-year returns for each state you lived in, and your withholding and estimated payments may need updating. We handle the move-year filings and set you up for the new state.
I haven't filed taxes in years. Can you help a Columbia resident catch up?
Yes. We pull your IRS transcripts, prepare the missing returns, request penalty relief where possible and set up a payment plan for any balance.
Can you help with an IRS audit or notice?
Yes. With your authorization we deal with the IRS directly, prepare the response and represent you through the process.
Can I meet an advisor in person in Columbia?
Our service is built around video and phone meetings, which lets us serve Columbia clients quickly without a commute. Contact us if you have a specific need to meet in person.
Do you offer year-round tax planning in Columbia?
Yes. We meet with you mid-year and again in the fall, so you can act on savings opportunities before December 31.
How do Columbia business owners get started?
Book a consultation. We review your last returns and current books, then give you a written quote and a plan for the year.
Other Maryland cities we serve
Tax help in Columbia
Book a consultation and get a clear plan for your taxes and books, wherever you are in the U.S.