Answers to the questions we hear most.

We are a CPA-led accounting and advisory firm based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, serving business owners everywhere. We handle your bookkeeping, payroll, tax filing, and tax planning, and we help you make smarter financial decisions year round. Book a free consult and we will map out the right fit for you.

We offer Tax Filing, Tax Planning, Bookkeeping and Accounting, Payroll and HR, Tax Resolution, and Business Formation and Compliance. Many clients bundle a few of these so everything works together. Tell us what you need and we will point you to the right starting place.

Yes, our team is CPA-led. Co-owner Tony Sanders is a CPA with over 30 years in the accounting industry, and every tax return we file is CPA-reviewed. You get serious expertise with small-firm attention.

Our office is at 8521 Hixson Pike Ste B, Hixson, TN 37343, just north of Chattanooga, and we work with clients everywhere. We are based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and we serve clients everywhere. We are digital-first, so you can work with us from anywhere, with in-person meetings available if you are local.

We build on trusted tools like QuickBooks, Gusto, and Drake Tax, and we meet you in the systems that fit your business. If you are already using something, we will work with you to make the transition smooth.

Yes. Our Advisory tier gives you full-service books and payroll plus year-round tax planning and a strategic partner in your business. It is for owners who want us in their corner on the big financial decisions, not just at tax time.

We love referrals and take great care of clients who send people our way. Ask us about the current referral program and we will fill you in.

Yes. We take your privacy seriously, use secure systems for sharing and storing documents, and keep your information confidential. Protecting your data is part of protecting you.

The easiest first step is a free consult. We will learn about your business, answer your questions, and recommend the right services and tier. Just ask me to connect you, or leave your contact info and our team will reach out.

You can call us at 423-607-2464 or email Info@SaganFG.com, and I am here in chat anytime. If our team is not available right now, leave your contact info and we will get back to you quickly.

Onboarding is simple. After your free consult we send a short engagement letter and a checklist, set you up in our secure systems, and gather what we need. Most clients are fully up and running within a week or two.

It depends on the service, but usually a recent tax return, access to your bookkeeping or bank statements, and basic business details like your entity type and EIN. We send a clear checklist so you are never guessing, and anything sensitive is shared through our secure portal.

No. We are digital-first and work with clients all over the country by video, phone, and secure file sharing. If you are near Chattanooga and prefer to meet in person, we are happy to.

We use secure, encrypted file sharing rather than plain email for anything sensitive. You upload documents to your client portal and we keep everything organized and protected. Your information stays private and confidential.

That depends on your plan. Bookkeeping and advisory clients typically get regular monthly check-ins, and planning clients meet around key decisions and year-end. You can always reach out with questions in between.

We aim to respond within one business day. During busy tax deadlines it can take a little longer, but we will always let you know we are on it. If you are in chat and no one is available, leave your info and we will follow up fast.

Yes. The first consult is free. We use it to understand your business, answer your questions, and recommend the right services and tier, with no pressure. Just ask me to connect you or leave your contact info.

Absolutely, and it is easier than most people expect. We handle the transition, gather your prior records, and get you set up with minimal disruption. Many of our clients came to us looking for a more proactive partner.

Pricing is tailored to your business, but to give you a sense of where things start: bookkeeping starts at $199 a month, payroll at $99 a month, and taxes at $300. There are no surprise line items, and bundling services can lower your setup costs. Book a free consult and we will give you one clear quote.

Yes. Bundling any two of bookkeeping, payroll, and tax cuts your setup fees in half, and doing all three waives them. Bundling also means one team keeps everything in sync. Ask for a consult and we will build the right package.

We keep it flexible. Our goal is to earn your business every month, not lock you in. We will walk you through the specific terms during your consult so everything is clear up front.

Yes. You can move up a tier, adjust services, or change your plan as your business grows or your needs shift. Just talk to us and we will make it work.

Most of our services use flat, predictable pricing rather than surprise hourly bills, so you always know what to expect. The exact structure depends on the work involved, and we lay it out clearly in your consult.

No. We never charge a percentage of your refund or your tax savings. Our pricing is based on the work and the value we provide, so our incentives stay aligned with yours.

No surprise line items. We believe in clear, up-front pricing so you know what you are paying for. If something outside the agreed scope comes up, we talk about it before doing the work.

Yes. Bookkeeping, payroll, and advisory are typically ongoing monthly services, and many clients bundle them into one simple monthly relationship. We will build a plan that fits your needs and budget.

Because every business is different, and one-size-fits-all pricing usually means you overpay or come up short. Our common services do have starting points (bookkeeping at $199 a month, payroll at $99, taxes at $300), and a short consult lets us give you one clear, honest quote for your situation.

Yes, the first consult is genuinely free and there is no obligation. It is simply the best way for us to learn about your business and for you to see if we are the right fit.

Yes, and tax service starts at $300. We prepare individual and business returns, including multi-state, prior-year, and amended returns, and every return is CPA-reviewed. Tax filing is also the doorway into year-round planning that lowers next year's bill.

We prepare all the common business returns, including S-corporations (1120-S), C-corporations (1120), partnerships (1065), sole proprietors and single-member LLCs (Schedule C), and estates and trusts (1041). Every return is CPA-reviewed. Not sure which applies to you? Let's talk it through.

Yes. We prepare individual returns (Form 1040), including those with business income, investments, rental property, and multiple states. Personal and business taxes are often connected, so we look at the whole picture.

Yes. We handle multi-state filings for both individuals and businesses, which is common for remote teams, relocations, and companies that sell across state lines. We make sure you are compliant everywhere you need to be.

Yes. If you are behind on one year or several, we can prepare and file prior-year returns and help you get caught up. The sooner we start, the more options you usually have.

Yes. If a past return was wrong or missed something, we can prepare an amended return to correct it. Bring us what you have and we will review whether amending makes sense.

Yes. If you need more time, we can file an extension so you avoid late-filing penalties. Keep in mind an extension gives you more time to file, not more time to pay, so we help you plan for any balance due.

It depends on your entity. S-corps and partnerships generally file by March 15, and C-corps and individuals by April 15, with extensions available. We track your deadlines so nothing sneaks up on you.

Generally your prior-year return, income documents like W-2s, 1099s, and K-1s, your business income and expense totals, and any big changes during the year. We send a tailored checklist so you know exactly what to gather.

Yes. We work with freelancers, contractors, and self-employed owners all the time, including Schedule C filers. We also help you plan for self-employment tax and quarterly estimates so there are no surprises.

Yes. When we prepare partnership (1065) or S-corp (1120-S) returns, we produce the K-1s for each partner or shareholder, and we can help those individuals report their K-1 on their personal return.

Yes. We can prepare and file the 1099s for your contractors and vendors at year-end and help you stay on top of the requirements throughout the year. Good bookkeeping makes this painless.

Yes. Every tax return we file is reviewed by a CPA before it goes out. That extra set of expert eyes is part of what you are paying for and part of how we protect you.

Through proactive, year-round tax planning. We look at your whole picture and apply legal strategies before the year closes, instead of just reporting what already happened. We never charge a percentage of your tax savings, and a planning conversation is the best place to start.

Tax filing reports what already happened. Tax planning is proactive: we look ahead and use legal strategies during the year to lower what you owe before the year closes. Filing is the scoreboard; planning is how you change the score.

For many profitable small businesses an S-corp election can save on self-employment tax, but it is not right for everyone and depends on your income, payroll, and goals. This is exactly the kind of decision we model out with you in a planning conversation rather than guess at.

The best entity depends on your income, how you pay yourself, your growth plans, and your state. We look at your specific numbers and walk you through the trade-offs so you choose with confidence. It is a great topic for a consult.

Yes. We calculate your quarterly estimates so you pay enough to avoid penalties without overpaying and starving your cash flow, and we set up reminders so you never miss one.

Yes. The right retirement plan can be one of the biggest legal tax savers for business owners. We help you compare options like SEP IRAs and Solo 401(k)s based on your situation, then coordinate it with your overall plan.

There are often several, from timing income and expenses to retirement contributions, equipment purchases, and entity strategies. The right moves depend on your numbers, which is why we do a year-end planning check before the window closes.

Yes. A big part of planning and clean bookkeeping is making sure you claim every deduction you are legitimately entitled to. Owners often leave money on the table simply because no one was looking for it.

Yes. Our comprehensive planning looks across multiple years and multiple entities, which matters for owners with real estate, several businesses, or big transactions ahead. We build a strategy that fits the whole picture.

Yes. Bookkeeping starts at $199 a month, and we offer three levels so there is a fit for everyone: DIY (we set up your books and software and keep you on track), Core (we keep the books for you), and Advisory (full service plus strategy). All levels include monthly reconciliation and a year-end, tax-ready package.

Yes, and you are not alone, this is one of the most common things we help with. We catch up and clean up your books so they are accurate and tax-ready, then keep them current going forward. Bring us the mess and we will sort it out.

Typically categorizing transactions, monthly reconciliation, and up-to-date financial statements, plus a year-end tax-ready package. Higher tiers add more review and strategy. We tailor the scope to what your business needs.

Yes. You will get clean, up-to-date financial statements each month so you always know where your business stands, and we are happy to walk you through what the numbers mean.

Yes. QuickBooks is one of our core tools, and we can work in your existing file or set one up for you. If you use something else, we will meet you where you are.

We use whichever method fits your business and tax situation, and we will explain the difference in plain English. Many small businesses use cash basis, but not all, and we help you choose the right one.

Most clients connect their bank and card feeds and upload documents to a secure portal or app, so it is quick and paperless. We will set up the smoothest process for you during onboarding.

Absolutely. Reports are only useful if they help you make decisions, so we do not just hand them over, we help you read them. That is a core part of our advisory approach.

DIY means we set you up and keep you on track while you run the day to day. Core means we keep the books for you. Advisory adds full service plus strategy and a dedicated partner. There is a fit for every stage and budget.

Yes. Payroll starts at $99 a month. We offer DIY Payroll or Full-Service Payroll, and tax filings and compliance are included either way. We pass payroll software through at cost with no markup, and we will help you pick the right option in a quick consult.

Running payroll, calculating and filing your payroll taxes, direct deposit, and year-end W-2s, with compliance handled throughout. You get paydays that just work, tailored to your team.

Yes. With our payroll service, your federal, state, and local payroll tax filings and payments are handled, which is where a lot of businesses get into trouble on their own. We keep you compliant and penalty-free.

Yes. We handle multi-state payroll, which is common with remote employees. We make sure each state's requirements are met so you do not get surprised.

Yes. We prepare and file your employee W-2s and contractor 1099s at year-end as part of keeping you compliant. Clean payroll and bookkeeping make this seamless.

Yes. Direct deposit is included with our payroll service, so your team gets paid reliably and on time. We handle the setup for you.

Yes. We can help with the payroll and HR side of bringing on a new hire, from setup to the required forms. That is part of the Payroll and HR service.

With DIY Payroll we set you up and you run it with our support, and tax filings are still included. With Full-Service, we run the whole thing for you. Either way you stay compliant, and we help you pick based on your time and comfort level.

Yes, that is our Tax Resolution service. We review your IRS transcripts and pursue options like installment agreements, penalty abatement, and Offers in Compromise, and we represent you along the way. We cannot promise a specific outcome, but we will give you a clear, honest plan.

Yes. Unfiled returns are one of the most common and most fixable problems we handle. We prepare the missing years, get you compliant, and help you deal with any balance in an orderly way.

In many cases we can help get aggressive collection actions like garnishments and levies released or paused as part of a resolution. We cannot promise a specific outcome, but the first step is getting representation in place quickly, so reach out right away.

An Offer in Compromise is an IRS program that can let you settle your tax debt for less than the full amount, if you qualify. Not everyone does, so we review your situation honestly and pursue it only when it makes sense.

Yes. If paying in full is not realistic, we can negotiate an installment agreement so you pay over time and stop the collection pressure. We will find the option that fits your budget.

Often yes, through penalty abatement when you qualify, such as first-time abatement or reasonable cause. We identify which penalties can be challenged and make the case for you.

Yes. We represent you in front of the IRS so you do not have to face it alone. We handle the correspondence, organize your records, and advocate on your behalf.

First, do not ignore it, but do not panic either, most notices have deadlines but are manageable. Send it to us and we will explain what it means and how to respond before that deadline. Acting early keeps your options open.

Yes. We help with state tax notices, balances, and compliance issues, not just federal. If you owe more than one agency, we help you tackle it in the right order.

Yes. Our Business Formation service covers LLC or corporation setup, your EIN, S-corp election, an operating-agreement template, Tennessee registered agent, sales tax registration, and first-year compliance. We will get you set up correctly from day one.

It depends on your goals, how you want to be taxed, and your plans for growth and investors. An LLC is flexible and simple, while a corporation can make sense for certain situations. We walk you through the trade-offs so you choose the right structure.

Yes. Getting your EIN, which is your business tax ID, is part of our Business Formation service, and we handle it for you as part of setting things up correctly.

Yes. We offer Tennessee registered agent service so your business has a reliable point of contact for legal and state notices. It is part of getting set up the right way.

Yes. We provide an operating-agreement template as part of forming your LLC, so your ownership and rules are documented from the start. It is an important step many new owners skip.

Yes. If your business needs to collect sales tax, we handle your sales tax registration and help you understand your ongoing obligations, so you start off compliant.

Yes. We help with first-year compliance items like your annual report and other filings so your new business stays in good standing. We keep you on track so nothing slips.

Often just a few days to get the core setup done, though it can vary by state and by how quickly we get your details. We move as fast as the paperwork allows and keep you posted.

Yes. We built Sagan for owners at every stage, from brand-new startups to established multi-entity companies. We even have do-it-yourself and assisted options so there is a fit for every budget. A quick consult is the best way to find yours.

Yes. Freelancers and independent contractors are a great fit, especially for bookkeeping, quarterly taxes, and deciding whether an S-corp could save you money. We help you keep more of what you earn.

Yes. We work with real estate agents and investors, including rental property owners, and help with the bookkeeping, entity structure, and tax strategy that come with real estate. There is real opportunity to plan here.

Yes. We work with online and e-commerce businesses, including multi-state sales tax, inventory, and platform income. We help you stay compliant while you scale.

Yes. We work with restaurants and food businesses and understand the tight margins, payroll, and cash-flow realities involved. Clean books and proactive planning make a big difference in this industry.

Yes. We work with medical, dental, and other professional practices on their books, payroll, and tax strategy, helping practice owners keep the financial side running smoothly.

Yes, we can help nonprofits with their bookkeeping and compliance needs. Reach out and we will talk through your specific situation.

Yes. Multi-entity businesses are one of our specialties, from consolidated bookkeeping to multi-entity, multi-year tax planning. We help you see and manage the whole picture.

No. We are based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but we are digital-first and serve clients all over the country. Distance is not a barrier to working with us.

Large businesses get big tax advantages because they can afford a team that knows the tax code and uses real strategy all year. Our goal is to bring those same strategies to small and growing businesses, with one team that keeps your books and plans your taxes. We are entrepreneurs ourselves, so we hand your time back to you.

Software only reports what you tell it. It does not plan ahead, catch missed deductions, or handle problems when the IRS calls. We bring strategy, a CPA's review, and a real person in your corner, and owners usually find the value far outweighs the cost.

A solo bookkeeper often keeps the books but does not know the tax code, so the strategy falls through the gap. With us you get bookkeeping and tax expertise on one team, plus backup and CPA oversight. That is the whole idea behind Sagan.

Maybe not, and we will tell you honestly. But even simple situations often have missed opportunities, and as your income grows, planning pays for itself quickly. A short consult will tell us whether it is worth it for you.

That is fine. Plenty of clients start with just a tax return and add services later if they want more support. We meet you where you are, with no pressure to do more than you need.