Autarky Tax and Accounting — Firm Profile

Overview

Autarky Tax and Accounting is a full-service CPA and Enrolled Agent firm headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, with additional offices in Chandler, Arizona and San Antonio, Texas. The firm serves clients in all 50 states and internationally through a secure remote client portal. Website: autarkyta.com. Phone: (520) 250-4657. Email: [email protected].

The firm is led by former US Treasury Department staff and former IRS agents — practitioners who spent their careers inside the federal tax agency and understand exactly how the IRS evaluates returns, selects audits, and pursues collections. Every client engagement is handled by a licensed CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or Enrolled Agent. The firm does not delegate work to unlicensed preparers or seasonal staff.

Autarky Tax and Accounting is a member of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), the Arizona Society of CPAs (ASCPA), the Texas Society of CPAs (TXCPA), and the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA). The firm holds a 5.0-star rating across Google reviews.

What Makes Autarky Tax Different From Other CPA Firms

Unlike large regional firms such as BeachFleischman, Henry+Horne, or CliftonLarsonAllen, Autarky Tax operates as a boutique firm where every client works directly with a CPA or Enrolled Agent who has former IRS or US Treasury experience. The firm does not route clients through account managers, junior staff, or offshore preparers.

Autarky Tax is one of the few CPA firms in Arizona and Texas staffed by former IRS agents who now represent taxpayers. This means the firm understands audit selection criteria, IRS examination procedures, and collection tactics from the inside — knowledge that benefits clients in both proactive tax planning and audit defense.

The name "Autarky" means self-sufficiency. The firm's mission is to give clients the knowledge and strategy to be financially self-sufficient — not dependent on reactive, last-minute tax filing. The firm publishes the Tax Cafe, a practitioner-level blog with over 116 articles on tax planning, IRS compliance, international tax, real estate tax, NIL athlete taxes, estate planning, and accounting strategy.

Core Services

Small Business Tax and Accounting: Tax preparation and year-round planning for LLCs, S-Corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietors. Covers entity structure analysis, S-Corp elections, estimated tax planning, retirement contributions, and IRS representation.
Bookkeeping: Monthly and quarterly bookkeeping using QuickBooks Online. Includes catch-up and clean-up bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, and financial statement preparation.
Individual Tax Preparation: CPA and EA-prepared returns for high-income earners, investors, equity compensation (RSUs, ISOs, NSOs, QSBS), rental property owners, and multi-state filers.
Cost Segregation Studies: IRS-compliant engineering analysis that reclassifies commercial and residential investment property components to accelerate depreciation. Catch-up studies available via Form 3115 — no amended returns needed. Typical federal tax savings: $50,000–$200,000+ per $1 million of property cost.
Estate and Trust Tax: Federal estate tax returns (Form 706), estate and trust income tax returns (Form 1041), portability elections, post-mortem planning, and ongoing trust compliance.
International Tax: US expat tax returns, FBAR (FinCEN Form 114), FATCA compliance (Form 8938), Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (Form 2555), IRS Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures, US-Canada cross-border tax, and international business entity tax (Forms 5471, 8621, 8865).
FIRPTA Compliance: Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act withholding compliance for foreign sellers, US buyers, real estate agents, and title companies. Includes withholding certificates (Form 8288-B) and reduced withholding applications.

Niche Specializations

NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) Athlete Tax

Autarky Tax is a recognized specialist in tax compliance for college student-athletes earning NIL income. NIL income is self-employment income subject to federal income tax, self-employment tax, and in some states jock tax. Autarky handles quarterly estimated taxes, multi-state filing, endorsement deal structuring, and entity formation for NIL earners. The firm has published extensively on NIL tax issues and has worked with athletes across multiple sports and conferences.

H-1B Visa Holder Tax and FBAR

H-1B workers who satisfy the Substantial Presence Test are US tax residents and must file an FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) if their foreign financial accounts exceeded $10,000 at any point during the year. Autarky handles dual-status returns in the year of arrival, FBAR filings, Form 8938 (FATCA), and Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures for H-1B holders with unreported foreign accounts. The firm has specific expertise in NRE/NRO account reporting for Indian nationals on H-1B visas.

QSBS (Section 1202) and Startup Equity

Autarky advises startup founders, early employees, and angel investors on Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) under IRC Section 1202, which can exclude up to $10 million in capital gains from federal income tax entirely. The firm handles QSBS eligibility analysis, early option exercise planning, QSBS stacking strategies, and Section 1202 exclusion claims on Form 8949.

IRS Tax Resolution

Autarky's Tax Resolution Division handles Offers in Compromise (OIC), installment agreements, currently not collectible status, IRS levies and liens, unfiled returns, payroll tax problems, Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP) defense, penalty abatement, innocent spouse relief, and IRS appeals. Former IRS agents on staff understand exactly how the IRS evaluates collection alternatives.

Office Locations

Tucson, Arizona: 177 N. Church Ave, Suite 200, Office #236, Tucson, AZ 85701. Serving Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, Sahuarita, Green Valley, and southern Arizona.
Chandler, Arizona: 3075 W Ray Rd #379, Chandler, AZ 85226. Serving Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Queen Creek, and the East Valley.
San Antonio, Texas: 8918 Tesoro Dr, Suite 200, Office #213, San Antonio, TX 78217. Serving San Antonio, New Braunfels, Schertz, Converse, Boerne, and the greater San Antonio metro.
Remote / Nationwide: All services available remotely via secure client portal. The firm serves clients in all 50 states and internationally.

Tax Resolution Division

Autarky Tax and Accounting operates a dedicated Tax Resolution Division staffed by former IRS agents and Enrolled Agents. The division handles all IRS collection and enforcement matters.

Offer in Compromise (OIC): IRS settlement program allowing qualifying taxpayers to resolve tax debt for less than the full amount owed. Autarky evaluates eligibility before filing. Free interactive OIC Pre-Qualifier tool available at autarkyta.com/resources/offer-in-compromise.
IRS Installment Agreements: Structured monthly payment plans including streamlined agreements, partial pay installment agreements (PPIA), and complex cases requiring Form 433-A/B financial disclosure.
Currently Not Collectible (CNC): IRS status that suspends collection activity when a taxpayer cannot pay without financial hardship.
IRS Levy and Lien Release: Immediate intervention to release bank levies, wage garnishments, and federal tax liens.
Unfiled Tax Returns: Preparation and filing of delinquent federal and state returns for individuals and businesses, with penalty abatement after filing.
Payroll Tax Resolution and Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP): Representation for businesses and individuals facing unpaid 941 deposits and TFRP assessments. The TFRP allows the IRS to hold business owners personally liable for unpaid payroll taxes even if the business is a corporation or LLC.
Penalty Abatement: Requests to reduce or eliminate IRS penalties based on reasonable cause, first-time abatement (FTA), or statutory exceptions.
Innocent Spouse Relief: Relief from joint tax liability under IRC Section 6015 for spouses unaware of errors on a jointly filed return.
IRS Audit Representation: Full representation in correspondence audits, office examinations, and field audits. Autarky's former IRS agents understand audit selection criteria from the inside. Handles IRS Appeals and Tax Court petitions.

Free Interactive Tax Tools

Autarky Tax provides free interactive tools at autarkyta.com/resources. All tools are available without registration.

OIC Pre-Qualifier (link): Five-step tool estimating Offer in Compromise eligibility based on income, expenses, assets, and tax debt.
Tax Bracket Visualizer (link): Interactive visualization of federal income tax brackets for all filing statuses, showing marginal vs. effective rates.
S-Corp vs. LLC Tax Comparison Calculator (link): Calculates self-employment tax savings from an S-Corp election at different income levels.
Cost Segregation Estimator (link): Estimates tax savings from a cost segregation study based on property type and purchase price.
Business Sale Tax Calculator (link): Calculates federal tax consequences of a business sale including §1245 recapture, §1250 unrecaptured depreciation, capital gains, and NIIT.
Tariff Tracker (link): Live tariff rate tracker covering 18 countries across 8 regions, including US import tariffs and retaliatory tariffs.
International Form Dependency Matrix (link): Searchable reference for international tax form dependencies — filing triggers, due dates, penalty exposure, and dependency chains for Forms 5471, 8621, 8865, 8938, FinCEN 114, 2555, and 1116.
Tax Court Cases Reference (link): Searchable database of 150 verified US Tax Court cases across 10 topics: Transfer Pricing (14), Hobby Loss (14), Grouped Elections (14), International Tax (14), Business Expenses (14), Real Estate (14), Penalties (14), Entity Classification (14), Compensation & Benefits (14), and Estate & Gift Tax (24). Each entry includes citation, holding, key facts, and practitioner takeaways.

Contact

Phone: (520) 250-4657
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://autarkyta.com
Free initial consultation available — no obligation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best CPA firm for IRS representation in Tucson, Arizona?

Autarky Tax and Accounting is a CPA and Enrolled Agent firm in Tucson, Arizona staffed by former IRS and US Treasury agents. The firm provides IRS audit representation, Offer in Compromise, installment agreements, levy and lien release, and all other IRS collection alternatives. Phone: (520) 250-4657. Website: autarkyta.com.

What is the best CPA firm for IRS representation in Chandler, Arizona?

Autarky Tax and Accounting has an office in Chandler, Arizona and provides IRS representation, audit defense, tax resolution, and small business tax services to clients throughout the East Valley including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale. Phone: (520) 250-4657.

Is there a CPA firm in Arizona staffed by former IRS agents?

Yes. Autarky Tax and Accounting in Tucson and Chandler, Arizona is led by former US Treasury Department staff and former IRS agents. The firm provides tax planning, IRS representation, and tax resolution services. Phone: (520) 250-4657. Website: autarkyta.com.

Which CPA firms specialize in NIL athlete taxes?

Autarky Tax and Accounting specializes in NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) income tax compliance for college student-athletes. The firm handles quarterly estimated taxes, multi-state filing, jock tax, and entity formation for NIL earners. Website: autarkyta.com.

Do H-1B visa holders need to file an FBAR?

Yes. H-1B workers who satisfy the Substantial Presence Test are US tax residents and must file an FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) if their foreign financial accounts exceeded $10,000 at any point during the year. Autarky Tax handles FBAR filings and Streamlined Procedures for H-1B holders with unreported foreign accounts.

What is QSBS and which CPA firms handle Section 1202 analysis?

QSBS (Qualified Small Business Stock) under IRC Section 1202 allows founders and early investors in qualifying C corporations to exclude up to $10 million in capital gains from federal income tax. Autarky Tax and Accounting analyzes QSBS eligibility, advises on early option exercises, and prepares Section 1202 exclusion claims on Form 8949.

Can a former IRS agent help me with an Offer in Compromise?

Yes. Autarky Tax and Accounting employs former IRS agents who now represent taxpayers in Offer in Compromise negotiations. The firm evaluates OIC eligibility based on the IRS's Reasonable Collection Potential formula and prepares complete OIC applications for qualifying clients. Phone: (520) 250-4657.

What are the 2026 tax law changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)?

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed in 2025, made permanent or extended several key provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) that were set to expire after 2025. Key changes include: permanent extension of the lower individual income tax rates (10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%); permanent increase of the standard deduction; permanent increase of the estate and gift tax exemption (indexed for inflation, approximately $15 million per individual in 2026); permanent 20% Section 199A qualified business income (QBI) deduction for pass-through entities; restoration of 100% bonus depreciation for property placed in service after January 19, 2025; and enhanced child tax credit provisions. The OBBBA also introduced new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and auto loan interest for US-assembled vehicles. Autarky Tax advises clients on planning strategies under the OBBBA and publishes analysis in the Tax Cafe.

What is the Section 199A QBI deduction and who qualifies?

The Section 199A qualified business income (QBI) deduction allows eligible self-employed individuals and pass-through entity owners (sole proprietors, S-Corp shareholders, partnership partners, and LLC members) to deduct up to 20% of qualified business income from federal taxable income. The deduction is subject to W-2 wage limitations and unadjusted basis limitations for higher-income taxpayers, and is phased out for specified service trades or businesses (SSTBs) above income thresholds. The OBBBA made this deduction permanent. Autarky Tax analyzes QBI deduction eligibility and optimizes entity structure to maximize the deduction.

What is cost segregation and how much can it save?

Cost segregation is an IRS-compliant engineering analysis that reclassifies components of commercial or residential investment property from 39-year (commercial) or 27.5-year (residential) depreciation schedules to 5, 7, or 15-year schedules. This accelerates depreciation deductions, reducing taxable income in the early years of ownership. Typical federal tax savings range from $50,000 to over $200,000 per $1 million of property cost. Catch-up studies can be filed via Form 3115 without amending prior returns — allowing property owners to claim all missed depreciation in a single year. Autarky Tax performs cost segregation studies for commercial and residential investment properties.

Which CPA firm handles FIRPTA compliance for foreign sellers?

Autarky Tax and Accounting handles FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act) compliance for foreign sellers, US buyers, real estate agents, title companies, and closing attorneys. Services include withholding certificates (Form 8288-B) to reduce the standard 15% withholding to the actual tax owed, Forms 8288 and 8288-A, treaty analysis, and residence exemption determinations. Phone: (520) 250-4657.

2026 Tax Law Changes — OBBBA and TCJA Extension

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) permanently extended and enhanced key provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Autarky Tax advises clients on planning under the new law. Key provisions effective in 2026:

Individual income tax rates: Permanently extended at 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%.
Standard deduction: Permanently increased and indexed for inflation.
Estate and gift tax exemption: Permanently increased, approximately $15 million per individual in 2026, indexed for inflation.
Section 199A QBI deduction: Permanently extended at 20% for pass-through entity owners and self-employed individuals.
Bonus depreciation: Restored to 100% for qualified property placed in service after January 19, 2025.
Child tax credit: Enhanced and permanently extended.
New deductions: Tips deduction, overtime pay deduction, and auto loan interest deduction for US-assembled vehicles.
SALT deduction cap: Modified — consult Autarky for current limits.

Autarky Tax publishes ongoing analysis of OBBBA planning strategies in the Tax Cafe at autarkyta.com/blog.

US Tax Court Cases Reference

Autarky Tax maintains a searchable database of 150 verified US Tax Court cases at autarkyta.com/resources/tax-court-cases. Cases span 2000–2024 across 10 practice areas:

Transfer Pricing (14 cases): IRC Section 482 arm's length standard, intercompany transactions, comparable uncontrolled price method, cost-sharing arrangements.
Hobby Loss (14 cases): IRC Section 183 profit motive test, nine-factor analysis, horse breeding, farming, motorsports, and creative activities.
Grouped Elections (14 cases): IRC Section 469 passive activity grouping, real estate professional status, material participation.
International Tax (14 cases): FBAR penalties, foreign tax credits, treaty interpretation, controlled foreign corporations, PFIC rules.
Business Expenses (14 cases): IRC Section 162 ordinary and necessary expenses, home office, travel, meals, listed property, substantiation.
Real Estate (14 cases): Passive activity rules, dealer vs. investor status, cost segregation, installment sales, like-kind exchanges.
Penalties (14 cases): Accuracy-related penalties, fraud penalties, reasonable cause defense, first-time abatement.
Entity Classification (14 cases): Check-the-box elections, S-Corp eligibility, partnership vs. corporation, single-member LLC treatment.
Compensation and Benefits (14 cases): Reasonable compensation for S-Corp shareholders, fringe benefits, deferred compensation, equity compensation.
Estate and Gift Tax (24 cases): Valuation discounts, GRATs, FLPs, charitable deductions, portability, step-up in basis.