Tax Planning
Tax Planner vs. DIY: Which Is Right for You?
TurboTax works fine for simple returns. But at a certain point, doing your own taxes costs more than it saves. Here is how to know when to make the switch.
October 27, 2026
Sarasota Tax Planning · Sarasota, FL
Year-round tax planning for Sarasota individuals, retirees and businesses
Most people only hear from their tax professional in April. We plan with you all year, so the decisions that lower your tax bill get made while they still count.
- Year-round planning, not just April
- Based in Sarasota
- Reply within one business day
Planning all year
Check-ins before the deadlines that matter.
Florida know-how
Homestead, domicile and no-income-tax planning.
Retirement focus
RMDs, Roth conversions, Social Security, IRMAA.
Owners and investors
Small business and real estate tax strategy.
Your tax planner
Meet Katie C. Pepin
Katie C. Pepin leads Sarasota Tax Planning and writes the guides on our blog. You work with her one-on-one, by appointment, in person or by phone and video.
Bring your last returns and what’s changing this year. You’ll leave with a plan for the year ahead, with dates attached, not just a filed return.
Bring your last returns and what’s changing this year. You’ll leave with a plan for the year ahead, with dates attached, not just a filed return.
Why proactive planning
More than a tax preparer
Most people only hear from their accountant in April. We work differently. Our clients get a proactive partner who understands their full financial picture and builds a strategy around it — all year long.
That means looking ahead: projecting this year and the next, deciding when income should land, and catching the moves that have to happen before December 31 to count. When it’s time to file, the return reflects a plan rather than a surprise.
That means looking ahead: projecting this year and the next, deciding when income should land, and catching the moves that have to happen before December 31 to count. When it’s time to file, the return reflects a plan rather than a surprise.
Services
Tax services built for Sarasota
From year-round tax strategy to retirement planning and small business accounting — we handle the complexity so you can focus on what matters.
The Florida picture
What Florida taxes — and what it doesn't
No state income tax is a real advantage. It also means federal planning carries all the weight.
Florida does not tax
- Wages and salaries
- Retirement income, pensions and IRA withdrawals
- Social Security benefits
- Interest, dividends and capital gains
- Estates and inheritances
You still pay
- Federal income tax on all of the above
- Property tax (lower with the Homestead Exemption)
- Sales tax: 7% in Sarasota County
- Tourist development tax on rentals of six months or less
- Payroll taxes on wages and self-employment income
Our process
How we work with you
1. Start with a conversation. Call or book a consultation and tell us what’s going on: retirement, a move, a sale, a growing business.
2. We review the numbers. Your last two or three returns, your income this year and what’s ahead.
3. You get a plan. A short list of actions with dates attached, in plain language.
4. We stay with you. Check-ins before estimated payments and year-end, then a return that reflects the plan.
2. We review the numbers. Your last two or three returns, your income this year and what’s ahead.
3. You get a plan. A short list of actions with dates attached, in plain language.
4. We stay with you. Check-ins before estimated payments and year-end, then a return that reflects the plan.
Who we help
Built around the people Sarasota is built on
Retirees and pre-retirees
RMD timing, Roth conversions, Social Security and Medicare surcharges.
New Florida residents
Domicile, part-year returns and the steps that make a move stick.
Small business owners
Entity choice, quarterly taxes, payroll and clean books.
Real estate investors
1031 exchanges, depreciation, short-term rentals and Homestead.
For business owners
Your business is ours
We built our accounting and tax services for business and individual clients alike, and we’re here whenever you need us — even after tax season. From the books to the return to the plan for next year, the numbers stay in one place, so decisions get made with current information.
From the blog
Practical tax guidance for Sarasota
Small Business
Year-Round Tax Planning for Sarasota Small Businesses: A CPA’s Guide
Most small business owners only think about taxes in April. The ones who pay less think about them all year. Here is how to build a proactive tax strategy for your Sarasota business.
October 27, 2026
Real Estate Tax
Sarasota Real Estate Investor Tax Guide
Rental properties, depreciation, 1031 exchanges, passive activity rules — here is what every Sarasota real estate investor needs to know about taxes.
October 24, 2026
Tax Strategy
Why Florida Has No State Income Tax and How It Affects Your Planning
Florida no-income-tax status is one of the most powerful financial advantages available to residents — but leveraging it fully requires understanding what it covers and what it does not.
October 24, 2026
Florida Tax
New to Florida? Your Tax Planning Checklist
Moving to Florida can save you thousands in taxes — but only if you take the right steps. Here is what new Florida residents need to do to protect their tax status.
October 17, 2026
Tax Strategy
Snowbird Tax Residency Rules: Sarasota Florida Tax Planning Guide
Spending winters in Sarasota? Establishing Florida domicile can eliminate state income tax — but the rules are strict. Here is what snowbirds need to know to make it official.
October 17, 2026
Answers
Frequently asked questions
What taxes do you pay in Sarasota, Florida?
Florida has no personal state income tax, so your wages, retirement income and investment income are taxed only at the federal level. You’ll still pay federal income tax, property tax on real estate (reduced by the Homestead Exemption on a primary home), and sales tax, which is 7% in Sarasota County. Florida also has no estate or inheritance tax.
How much is $100,000 a year taxed in Florida?
Only federal tax applies, because Florida adds no state income tax. What you owe depends on filing status, deductions, credits and whether the income is wages, self-employment income or retirement income. Wages also carry Social Security and Medicare taxes. We can run the figure with your actual numbers.
What's the difference between a CPA, an enrolled agent and a tax advisor?
A CPA is licensed by a state board of accountancy. An enrolled agent is licensed by the IRS and can represent taxpayers before the IRS on any tax matter. “Tax advisor” is a general description, not a license. You can verify a Florida CPA license with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and check federal credentials in the IRS directory of preparers.
How do I find a good tax planner?
Look for someone who plans during the year, not only at filing time; who has worked with situations like yours (retirement, a business, rentals, a move to Florida); who explains fees up front; and whose credentials you can verify.
How much does tax preparation cost?
It depends on the complexity of your return: the number of income sources, schedules, businesses, rentals and states involved. We’ll review your last return and quote before any work begins.
Do you help people who just moved to Florida?
Yes. We prepare the part-year return for your former state alongside your federal return and help you document your change of domicile so the move holds up.
Get started
Request a consultation
Tell us a little about your situation and we’ll be in touch within one business day.
- Call (941) 225-5455
- info@sarasotataxplanning.com
- By appointment only
Next step
Ready to pay less and plan more?
Schedule a consultation and let’s build a tax strategy that works for your life in Sarasota.