Tax Services in Chicago, IL
Your trusted partner for stress-free tax solutions in Chicago. Tax preparation, planning and IRS representation for individuals, small businesses and nonprofits, with federal and Illinois returns handled together.
Who we prepare taxes for
- Individuals and families, including joint and separate filers
- Self-employed and small business owners
- S corporations, partnerships and C corporations
- Nonprofits, HOAs and condo associations
- Trusts, estates and final returns
- U.S. expats and multistate filers
Certified on the platforms our clients use
Tax preparation, planning and IRS help under one roof
At Heard & Associates, we make taxes simple. Our team prepares federal and Illinois returns for individuals, small businesses, corporations and nonprofits across Chicago, from a straightforward Form 1040 to multi-entity filings with K-1s flowing to several owners.
Filing is only part of the job. Because we also handle bookkeeping and payroll, your return is built from records we already understand, and tax planning happens before December 31, not after. When the IRS or the Illinois Department of Revenue sends a letter, our IRS representation team responds on your behalf.
We meet clients in person at our Hyde Park office and in Olympia Fields, and work virtually with clients across Illinois and the country through a secure document portal.
Tax preparation by return type
Whatever you file, we prepare the federal and Illinois returns together so nothing falls between them.
Individual Tax Preparation
Federal Form 1040 and Illinois IL-1040 for employees, retirees, investors and families, with every credit and deduction you qualify for.
Individual returns →Married Filing Jointly or Separately
We run both options and file the one that saves more, which matters when one spouse has student loans, medical costs or a business.
Compare filing options →Business Tax Preparation
Returns for sole proprietors, LLCs and small businesses, prepared from clean books with quarterly estimates planned ahead.
Business returns →S Corporation Tax Preparation
Form 1120-S, Illinois IL-1120-ST, shareholder K-1s and reasonable salary planning for S corp owners.
S corp returns →Partnership Tax Preparation
Form 1065 and partner K-1s for partnerships and multi-member LLCs, with allocations that match your operating agreement.
Partnership returns →C Corporation Tax Preparation
Form 1120 and Illinois corporate returns, including replacement tax, estimated payments and planning around owner compensation.
C corp returns →Trust and Estate Tax
Form 1041 fiduciary returns, final returns for a deceased family member and Illinois estate tax filings.
Trust and estate returns →HOA and Condo Association Tax
Form 1120-H and Illinois filings for homeowners and condominium associations, with exempt function income handled correctly.
Association returns →US Expat Tax Preparation
Federal returns for Americans living abroad, including the foreign earned income exclusion, foreign tax credit and FBAR reporting.
Expat returns →Fix, plan and resolve
Help when a return is late, wrong, spread across states or has drawn a letter from the IRS.
Unfiled and Back Taxes
Catch up on one year or several, replace IRS substitute returns and get back in compliance without judgment.
Catch up on my taxes →Amended Tax Returns
Correct errors or claim missed deductions with Form 1040-X and Illinois IL-1040-X, prepared and filed together.
Correct my return →Tax Extensions
Properly filed extensions with payment estimates so you avoid late filing penalties while the return is finished right.
File an extension →Multistate Tax Services
Income allocation and filings for people and businesses that live, work or sell in more than one state.
Multistate taxes →State and Local Tax (SALT)
Illinois income, sales and local tax compliance and planning, including Chicago-specific taxes.
Illinois state tax →Tax Refund Filing
Claim refunds you are owed, including prior-year refunds that are still within the IRS window.
Claim my refund →Tax Planning and Advisory
Year-round planning for entrepreneurs, executives and nonprofit leaders, with quarterly estimates and entity strategy.
Tax advisory →IRS Representation
Professional representation for audits, notices, disputes, payment plans and other tax resolution matters.
Get IRS support →Income Tax Preparation Hub
Every filing service in one place, from first-time filers to complex multi-year situations.
All filing services →What Chicago taxpayers need to know
Illinois taxes individual income at a flat rate, so planning here is less about brackets and more about timing, credits and entity choice. Businesses face a second layer: corporations and S corporations owe the Illinois personal property replacement tax, and anyone selling taxable goods files sales tax returns on the schedule the state assigns.
Chicago adds its own taxes, including the restaurant tax and the lease transaction tax that applies to many software subscriptions. We keep all of it on one calendar so your federal, Illinois and city obligations are met on time.
How working with us goes
Our transparent Discovery, Proposal, Setup process ensures a smooth engagement from the first call to the filed return.
Discovery
A short call about your situation, your entities and what last year looked like.
Proposal
A clear scope and fee for the returns and planning you need, with no surprises later.
Setup
Secure portal access, a document checklist and a filing timeline you can see.
Year-round support
Estimates, planning calls and notice help between filing seasons, not just in April.
What to look for in a Chicago tax accountant
Plenty of firms can file a return. These are the qualities that make a difference over the years.
Experience with your return type
Accuracy and review
Planning, not just filing
Communication
Everything connected
Industries we serve in Chicago
Each industry has its own deductions, filings and risks. We prepare returns with those in mind.
Rated 5.0 by 100+ clients on Google
Individuals and business owners across Chicago trust us for accurate filings, clear answers and support that lasts all year.
Chicago tax service questions
Every situation is different. If your question is not here, ask us during a consultation.
Book a consultation →What tax services do you offer in Chicago?
We prepare federal and Illinois returns for individuals, married couples, sole proprietors, S corporations, partnerships, C corporations, trusts and estates, HOAs and U.S. expats. We also file amended, extended, multistate and back-year returns, provide year-round tax planning and represent clients before the IRS and the Illinois Department of Revenue.
Do you handle both business and personal tax returns?
Yes, and we prefer to. When one firm prepares the business return and the owner’s personal return, the K-1s, salary and estimates line up, and planning covers the whole picture instead of half of it.
What documents do I need to bring?
For individuals: W-2s, 1099s, last year’s return, mortgage and property tax statements, childcare and education records, and any IRS or Illinois letters. For businesses: year-end financial statements or your bookkeeping file, payroll reports, asset purchases and prior returns. We send a checklist tailored to your situation after the discovery call.
What is the Illinois income tax rate?
Illinois has a flat individual income tax rate of 4.95%. Corporations pay a 7% income tax plus a 2.5% replacement tax, and S corporations and partnerships pay a 1.5% replacement tax on net income. Illinois also offers an optional pass-through entity tax that can help some owners with the federal cap on state and local tax deductions.
When are taxes due in Illinois?
Individual federal and Illinois returns are due April 15, with extensions to October 15. S corporation and partnership returns are due March 15. C corporations file by April 15. Estimated payments are due in April, June, September and January. We keep every client on one calendar so no deadline is missed.
Can you help if I have not filed for several years?
Yes. Our unfiled tax return service pulls your IRS transcripts, rebuilds missing records, files every open year in the right order and resolves any balance with a payment plan where needed.
What is the difference between tax preparation and tax planning?
Preparation reports what already happened. Planning changes what happens next: choosing an entity, timing income and purchases, setting a reasonable salary, funding retirement plans and paying the right estimates. Our tax advisory service covers planning throughout the year.
Do I need to come into your office?
No. Many clients work with us entirely through our secure document portal, with calls and video meetings as needed. If you prefer to meet in person, we have offices in Chicago’s Hyde Park and in Olympia Fields.
What happens if I receive a letter from the IRS?
Send it to us before you respond. Most letters have a deadline and a specific request. We review the notice, explain what it means and prepare the response or the amended return. For audits and disputes, our IRS representation service handles the case for you.
Take the stress out of tax season
Whether you need personal tax help or full-service business filing, book a consultation and we will map out exactly what your return needs.