About Me
My name is Gail Lee. I am an ENROLLED AGENT with seventeen years of income tax preparation experience. With my many hours of continuing education credits, I stay current with IRS and California tax law changes. I have lived in Arnold full time for twenty years and am eager to meet you. Come by and say hello!
Enrolled Agent Information
(from the IRS)
"An enrolled agent is a person who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service by either passing a three-part comprehensive IRS test covering individual and business tax returns, or through experience as a former IRS employee. Enrolled agent status is the highest credential the IRS awards. Individuals who obtain this elite status must adhere to ethical standards and complete 72 hours of continuing education courses every three years."
"Enrolled agents, like attorneys and certified public accountants (CPAs), have unlimited practice rights. This means they are unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle, and which IRS offices they can represent clients before. Learn more about enrolled agents in Treasury Department Circular 230."
Please see the article, below, from the Calaveras Enterprise for more information about me.
Reprinted with permission from the Calaveras Enterprise
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Arnold tax specialist readies for busy filing season.
Tax season is just around the corner, which often leaves people doing the last-minute scramble to meet the state and federal deadlines for filing.
Self-filing is made easy with a plethora of Internet-based websites, but many times, money is left on the table by people unaware of the options available. Tax credits go unclaimed. Deductions go unnoticed. And the refund check may suffer as a result. That’s why professionals are still so important.
Gail Lee is one such tax professional and owner of Gail’s Taxes in Arnold. She opened last year and has been helping residents and businesses maximize their tax options ever since.
“It’s something I love doing,” Lee said. “I like the analysis and digging for details and coming up with solutions.”
Laws are always changing, individual circumstances are always unique, and Lee thoroughly enjoys the challenge.
“There’s a continuous learning that goes with this type of business – new laws, new application of existing laws,” Lee said. “It’s so involved.”
Lee moved to Arnold in 2000 from the Monterey Bay area after stumbling on the town by chance.
“(We were) just on an explorative drive,” she said. “We wanted to have easy access to the Bay Area and this just seemed like the perfect corridor.”
She had always wanted to be in the mountains, and Arnold proved the perfect location.
“I’ve always loved the mountains,” Lee said. “I always spent a lot of time in the mountains as a youngster, so it was kind of like coming home.”
She began her professional career as an operator for Pacific Bell when she was a teenager and she remained with the company until she retired.
“When I retired, I was a certified account executive for major businesses,” Lee said.
But she wasn’t content sitting idly by in her retirement.
“I’ve worked since I was 19, so when I retired, I just had to keep doing something else,” Lee said.
A friend of hers suggested she take some continuing-education classes to keep her mind engaged. The topic of the classes was tax and finance.
“When she told me about the classes, I said, ‘Yeah, that sounds like fun!’” Lee said. “I love taking classes. I’ve always been a big proponent (of ongoing education).”
She found the classes merged well with her naturally analytical mind, and she was soon working for a tax company in Angels Camp, which she did for 10 years.
“I didn’t really want to commute anymore, so I thought I would try opening up my own place,” Lee said.
The result is Gail’s Taxes.
She started her tax service business in 2012 by reaching out to offer personalized tax and tax planning services. In 2013, she was formally admitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service as an enrolled agent.
“My personal IRS enrolled agent status now allows me to provide even more services to my clients,” Lee said. “Clients can depend on me knowing the latest tax laws applicable to their situation.”
Lee said she uses that knowledge to limit her clients’ tax liabilities. And she said it is not too late to make an impact on this season’s filing.
“There’s still time to reduce your tax liability by contributing to your retirement IRA or your health savings account,” she said. “The consequences in 2014 of the Affordable Care Act can really affect taxes.”
To arrange a meeting with Lee, email [email protected] or call 795-5315. Gail’s Taxes is at 2037 Highway 4, Suite B, Arnold.
For more information, go to gailstaxes.com.
Contact Stephen Crane at [email protected].