Accountants & tax strategists in Houston, TX
Whether you run a business in Houston or just want your personal return done right, BATS gives you an experienced advisor, secure online document sharing and straight answers about what you owe and why.
Taxes for Houston individuals and businesses
Texas does not tax wages, so most residents file only a federal return. That makes federal planning, business-level state taxes and sales tax the main places to save. Texas has no personal income tax, but most businesses fall under the Texas franchise (margin) tax and must file annual franchise tax reports with the Comptroller.
Houston 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 Houston
- Service area
- Houston and surrounding communities
- State agency
- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
- State tax on wages
- None
- 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 Houston
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 Houston
Tax Preparation & Filing
Tax Planning & Strategy
IRS Representation & Resolution
Accounting & Bookkeeping
Houston 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 Houston clients
You are managing a loved one's estate
We prepare final returns and fiduciary returns and support the executor.
Estate & Trust TaxYou started a side business
We set up the books, estimate quarterly taxes and decide whether an LLC or S corporation election makes sense.
Self-Employed & Freelancer TaxYou moved to or from another state
We file part-year returns and apply credits so income is not taxed twice.
Multi-State Tax FilingYou sell online
We reconcile marketplace payouts, track inventory and review sales tax obligations.
E-Commerce AccountingYou trade crypto
We reconcile wallets and exchanges and report gains and income correctly.
Cryptocurrency & Digital Asset TaxYour profit jumped this year
We plan before year-end with retirement contributions, timing and entity strategy.
Tax Planning & StrategyStarting or running a business in Houston
The tax and registration steps for a new Houston 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 TexasForm your entity with Texas's business filing office and get a federal EIN from the IRS.
- Open tax accountsRegister with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts for sales tax and, if you hire, payroll accounts.
- Check Houston licensesConfirm any city or county business licenses and permits required for your type of business in Houston.
- 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 Houston
Calendar-year filers. Dates move to the next business day on weekends and holidays. Texas 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 Houston
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 Houston?
Yes. BATS serves clients in Houston and across Texas. We work through secure online meetings, e-signatures and an encrypted document portal, so you get a dedicated advisor without visiting an office.
Do Houston residents need a state income tax return?
Texas does not tax wages, so most Houston residents file only a federal return. If you earned income in another state, you may need a return there.
How much does tax preparation cost in Houston?
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 Houston?
Yes. We handle bookkeeping, payroll, business returns and year-round planning for Houston businesses, from sole proprietors to multi-owner companies.
Does Houston have sales tax?
Yes. Texas charges sales tax, and local rates can add to the state rate. We help Houston businesses register, collect the right rate and file returns with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Can you run payroll for employees in Houston?
Yes. We register your Texas payroll accounts, run payroll on schedule and file federal and state payroll returns, including unemployment insurance.
How do I pay estimated taxes as a Houston freelancer?
You make quarterly federal payments with Form 1040-ES. Texas doesn't tax wages, so there is usually no state income tax estimate for individuals. We calculate the amounts and remind you before each due date.
I'm moving to or from Houston. 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 Houston 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 Houston?
Our service is built around video and phone meetings, which lets us serve Houston 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 Houston?
Yes. We meet with you mid-year and again in the fall, so you can act on savings opportunities before December 31.
How do Houston 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 Texas cities we serve
Tax help in Houston
Book a consultation and get a clear plan for your taxes and books, wherever you are in the U.S.