Tax Preparation, Accounting & Bookkeeping in Chicago, IL
Heard & Associates helps individuals, small businesses and nonprofits file accurately, keep clean books and stay ahead of the IRS — year-round, from our offices in Chicago and Olympia Fields or virtually anywhere in the U.S.
Olympia Fields
Certified on the platforms you already use
A Chicago tax and accounting firm that stays with you all year
Heard & Associates LLC is a tax, accounting and bookkeeping firm founded by Darrel Heard, who has spent more than a decade helping individuals, small businesses and nonprofits with taxation, bookkeeping and financial strategy.
Most clients come to us for one of three reasons: a tax return that needs to be done right, a set of books that has fallen behind and needs a bookkeeping cleanup, or a letter from the IRS or Illinois Department of Revenue that needs a calm, informed response through IRS representation. We handle all three, and then we stay involved — so tax planning happens before December 31st, not after.
We work with clients face-to-face in Chicago’s Hyde Park and in Olympia Fields, and virtually with clients across the country through a secure document portal.
Tax, accounting and bookkeeping services
One firm for the return, the books behind it and the planning that keeps next year’s bill lower.
Tax Preparation
Accurate federal, Illinois and multistate returns for individuals and every type of business entity, with every deduction and credit you’re entitled to.
IRS Representation & Tax Problems
Behind on filing, received a notice, or need to correct a past return? We sort out the history and deal with the IRS and IDOR on your behalf.
Bookkeeping
Monthly bookkeeping and reconciliations that keep your numbers tax-ready, plus catch-up and cleanup for books that have fallen behind.
Payroll Services
Payroll processing, employee setup and quarterly payroll tax filings handled on schedule, so your team is paid right and penalties never land.
Business Formation
Choose the right structure from day one — then get your EIN, Illinois registrations and books set up properly before the first invoice goes out.
Tax Planning & Advisory
Year-round planning for business owners, high earners and families — including trust and estate returns, multistate income and entity decisions.
Rated 5.0 by 100+ clients on Google
Clients mention the same things again and again: fast responses, clear explanations and a process that takes the stress out of tax season.
Built for individuals, owners and nonprofits
Individuals & families
W-2 and 1099 earners, married couples weighing joint vs. separate filing, U.S. expats and high-net-worth households who want a return reviewed by a person, not software.
Individual tax services →Small businesses & self-employed
Owner-operated companies, LLCs and S-corps that need clean monthly books, payroll and a tax strategy that matches how the business actually earns.
Small business accounting →Nonprofits
Formation, 501(c)(3) setup, fund accounting and annual Form 990 filing for community organizations, churches and associations.
Nonprofit accounting →Serving individuals and businesses across Chicago, IL
We stay current on Illinois tax law, Chicago business requirements and local compliance rules, so every client gets accurate guidance and dependable support all year.
Tax services in Chicago, IL
We prepare taxes for individuals, small businesses, S-corps, C-corps and nonprofits throughout the city. That covers income tax preparation, multistate filings, state and local tax (SALT) compliance, unfiled returns, amended returns and extended filings. Whether it’s a personal return or business taxes for a growing company, every return is checked for deductions and credits before it’s filed.
Year-round advisory, not just tax season
Seasonal preparers disappear after April; we don’t. Our tax advisory in Chicago covers estimated payments, entity decisions, payroll compliance and cash-flow planning throughout the year. If an IRS or IDOR notice arrives, IRS representation is handled by the same team that knows your file — and families planning ahead get the same continuity through our trust and estate tax work.
Accounting & bookkeeping for Chicago businesses
Clean books make everything else easier. Monthly bookkeeping and bank reconciliation keep records organized and tax-ready, while our accounting services and financial statements give owners a clear view of cash flow. Behind on your books? A bookkeeping cleanup brings them current, and QuickBooks setup and support keeps them that way.
Key tax dates, month by month
Missing a deadline is the most expensive mistake in tax. Here’s what’s due across the year for individuals, business owners, employers and nonprofits — and the months we use to plan ahead.
- Jan 15Q4 estimated tax payment for last year
Individuals & self-employed - Jan 31W-2s and 1099-NECs due to workers and the IRS; Q4 Form 941 and annual Form 940
Employers
- Feb 15Brokerage 1099-B statements arrive — the last forms most filers wait on
Individuals - All monthBest time to book your return — before the March rush
Planning
- Mar 15S-corp (1120-S) returns or extensions due; K-1s to shareholders
S-corps - Mar 15Partnership & multi-member LLC (1065) returns or extensions due
Partnerships - Mar 31E-filing deadline for most other 1099s sent to the IRS
Businesses
- Apr 15Individual returns (1040 & IL-1040) or extension due; Q1 estimated payment
Individuals - Apr 15C-corp (1120) and trust & estate (1041) returns or extensions
C-corps & trusts - Apr 15Last day for prior-year IRA and HSA contributions
Planning - Apr 30Q1 payroll return (Form 941)
Employers
- May 15Form 990 due for calendar-year nonprofits (or file an extension)
Nonprofits - Late MayPost-season cleanup: get the books current before summer
Planning
- Jun 15Q2 estimated tax payment
Individuals & self-employed - Jun 15Automatic filing deadline for U.S. citizens living abroad
Expats
- Jul 31Q2 payroll return (Form 941)
Employers - Mid-yearMid-year review: check income, withholding and estimates
Planning
- All monthGood time to decide on an S-corp election or entity change for next year
Planning - All monthReconcile books through June so Q3 numbers are reliable
Businesses
- Sep 15Extended S-corp and partnership returns due
S-corps & partnerships - Sep 15Q3 estimated tax payment
Individuals & self-employed - Sep 30Extended trust & estate returns (Form 1041) due
Trusts & estates
- Oct 15Extended individual and C-corp returns due — final deadline
Individuals & C-corps - Oct 31Q3 payroll return (Form 941)
Employers
- Nov 15Extended Form 990 due for calendar-year nonprofits
Nonprofits - All monthYear-end planning meetings: projections, bonuses, equipment purchases
Planning
Dates shown are for calendar-year filers. When a deadline falls on a weekend or legal holiday, it moves to the next business day, and IRS disaster relief can extend dates for affected areas. Illinois returns generally follow the federal due dates.
Getting started takes one conversation
Book a consultation
Tell us what you need — a return, caught-up books, payroll or an IRS issue. We'll confirm scope and timing up front.
Share documents securely
Upload everything through our secure client portal, or bring it to our Chicago or Olympia Fields office.
We prepare and review
Your file is prepared, reviewed for accuracy and walked through with you, so you understand what's being filed and why.
File and plan ahead
We file, confirm acceptance and stay available year-round for questions, notices and next year's planning.
Personal service from the person who founded the firm
Darrel started Heard & Associates to make high-quality accounting accessible, transparent and stress-free. After more than ten years of hands-on work in taxation, bookkeeping and financial strategy, he built the firm around a simple idea: clients should always know who is handling their file, and always be able to reach them.
That shows up in the reviews — quick replies, patient explanations and returns that are walked through line by line before anything is filed.
"Our goal is to build a legacy-driven firm that gives individuals, small businesses and nonprofits real financial clarity — and to carry forward the tradition of Black-owned firms in the accounting profession."
More about our firm →Two offices on Chicago's South Side and South Suburbs
Meet in person in Hyde Park or Olympia Fields, or work with us entirely online from anywhere in the U.S.
Questions clients ask before they call
Can't find your answer? Call (312) 810-3603 and we'll talk it through.
What services does Heard & Associates offer?
We provide individual and business tax preparation, tax planning, IRS representation, monthly bookkeeping and bookkeeping cleanup, payroll, sales tax filing, business formation (LLC, PLLC, S-corp and nonprofit) and Form 990 filing for nonprofits.
Do you only work with clients in Chicago?
No. We have offices in Chicago (Hyde Park) and Olympia Fields, and we also work virtually with clients across the United States using a secure client portal and e-signatures.
Can you help if I haven't filed taxes in several years?
Yes. We reconstruct missing years, prepare the unfiled returns, and communicate with the IRS and Illinois Department of Revenue to bring you back into compliance and limit penalties where possible.
Do you prepare returns for S-corps, partnerships and nonprofits?
Yes — we prepare S-corp (1120-S), C-corp, partnership (1065), trust and estate returns, along with Form 990 for tax-exempt organizations.
What accounting software do you support?
We are certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors (including QuickBooks Payroll) and certified in Xero and Ambrook. We also work with FreshBooks and prepare returns in Intuit ProConnect.
Do you offer help outside of tax season?
Yes. Bookkeeping, payroll, IRS notices and tax planning happen all year, and clients can reach us with questions any month — not just between January and April.
How do I get started?
Book a consultation or call (312) 810-3603. We'll learn what you need, confirm scope and timing, and send you a secure link to upload your documents.
Ready for a calmer tax season?
Talk to Heard & Associates about your return, your books or the IRS letter on your desk.