Sliding Scale Levels

  • Stone

    For anyone who is unable to meet or struggle to meet their basic needs and have little to no expendable income.

    $50

    If the lowest sliding scale is not accessible for you, you are welcome to request a sponsored spot if available (see below for more info about sponsored spots) or seek free tax help here.

    *Note: payment plans are available

    *NY State residents: Due to a bureaucratic issue, I cannot file your taxes for you. For now, you are considered out of my scope.

  • Sand

    For anyone who is able to meet or struggle to meet their basic needs and have some expendable income.

    $200

    *Note: payment plans are available

    *NY State residents: Due to a bureaucratic issue, I cannot file your taxes for you. For now, you are considered out of my scope.

  • Clay

    For anyone who can comfortably meet their basic needs and have ample expendable income.

    $300

    *Note: payment plans are available

    *NY State residents: Due to a bureaucratic issue, I cannot file your taxes for you. For now, you are considered out of my scope.

 Sliding Scale Pricing

  • Services include: Meeting time, filing, mail/postage if taxes need to be paper filed, and support with follow-up if the IRS sends you a notice.

    To best make use of our meeting time, I may ask you to upload documents ahead of time.

  • A sliding scale system is a pricing model where the cost of a product or service varies based on someone’s ability to pay. Instead of a fixed price, there is a range of prices offered, and individuals select the price point that best aligns with their financial situation and other factors.

  • Siding scales are an important tool for economic justice. We should all have access to help when it comes to complying to a system that we don’t consent to. Sliding scales are meant to make prices accessible for folks who normally cannot afford to pay a very high price of getting their taxes filed. The hope is for folks who have capacity to pay more will do so, to make it easier for folks who cannot pay as much to pay less.

    This is also meant to be a chance for you to reflect on your income, different intersections of privilege and advantages as you consider what scale you pay.

  • Stone (for folks unable to meet & struggle to meet their basic needs) - $50

    Sand (for folks who can meet basic needs & have some expendable income) - $200

    Clay (for folks who can meet their basic needs & have ample expendable income) - $300

    If the lowest sliding scale is not accessible for you, you are welcome to request a sponsored spot if available or seek free tax help here.

    *Note: payment plans are available

    *NY State residents: Due to a bureaucratic issue, I cannot file your taxes for you. For now, you are considered out of my scope.

  • No. This is an honor code system, I don’t require “proof” of any scale. Please be honest.

  • Yes! After you fill out the intake form you will automatically receive an email with more information on the payment plan options (ex: pay in 4’s, monthly payments, etc).

    If the lowest sliding scale is not accessible for you, you are welcome to request a sponsored spot (if available) or seek free tax help here.

Pay more on the scale if you:

  • have a savings account

  • travel recreationally

  • have earning power (even if you’re not using it right now) from college degree(s), able-bodiedness, race, gender, social networks and family connections

  • and your family are homeowners or landowners

Pay less on the scale if:

  • are on public assistance

  • don’t have a savings account

  • you were formerly incarcerated

  • have significant debt that prevents you from meeting your basic needs

  • have a chronic illness or disability that impacts your ability to earn income

  • you are unable to access healthcare

When folks (who are able to) pay the higher scale, they make it possible for me to offer the lowest scale, and keep prices as affordable as I can. This is an honor code system, I don’t require “proof” of any scale. Please be honest. Depending on my capacity, I fundraise for sponsored spots to help cover expenses for folks who need the support. Please fill out my contact form if you would like to inquire about a sponsored spot.

What are sponsored spots and who qualifies for it?

Sponsored spots are FREE tax appointments (it includes the appointment time, the tax filing, and support with follow up if you receive notices from the IRS) provided to folks who fall under the Stone sliding scale but cannot afford the $50 fee. Sponsored spots allow me to support as many folks as I can without needing to turn them away for lack of funds. I fundraise every year to ensure there are enough sponsored spots for folks who need them.

Anyone who is unhoused, at risk of being unhoused, has no income, fixed income (such as SSA), was formally incarcerated, and/or qualifies for public assistance (such as food stamps and mediCal) is given priority for sponsored spots. You do not need to show “proof” and this is an honor code, please be honest.

Book an appointment

  • File my taxes for me

    Gata is a registered CTEC tax preparer, with over a decade of experience (as a VITA tax volunteer) filing others taxes. She will go over your taxes, answer all your questions, and after asking for your consent, will file your taxes for you.

    Please scroll down to read the sliding scale section below prior to filling out the intake form.

    Fill out the intake form

  • Review my taxes

    If you or someone else already submitted your taxes, and you have no clue to why you owe and how you’d like to maximize your refund, fill out the intake form below. This service is also good for those new to gig and freelance work, you can also learn best practices for self-employment taxes.

    Fill out intake form