FAQs | Vivify

Frequently Asked Questions

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What we offer isn’t just filing - it’s confidence, continuity, and care. Every return is reviewed by credentialed professionals (CPA, CFP®), not seasonal untrained staff or software logic. Our CPA team doesn’t turn over. We’re here year after year, building long-term trust with both clients and their advisors. We charge more because we offer more:

Expert review from professionals who stay with you over time
A personalized video walkthrough of your return
Optional collaboration with your financial advisor

We’ve corrected hundreds of errors made by DIY platforms and volume-driven tax shops. If you’re looking for the cheapest option, we may not be the right fit. If you’re looking to get it done right, with people who remember you next year - we are. Real example: Jessica came to us after years of DIY filing and working with a well known volume-driven tax shop. During our intake process, we reviewed her prior returns and discovered she had been paying taxes to two states unnecessarily - for four years. We helped her file corrections and recovered nearly $20,000 in refunds.

Yes. All of your documents and messages are handled through our secure client portal, powered by TaxDome. TaxDome uses encryption and security standards similar to what banks and hospitals use to protect your data.

We also opt for clients to use two-factor authentication as an added layer of protection, and we prefer that all communication and file sharing happens only through the portal.

You can read more about TaxDome’s security practices here.

Timing depends on when you upload all of your supporting documents. Once your documents are complete, you are added to our prep queue and we work on returns in the order they are received.

During peak tax season, it can take up to 4 weeks to finalize your return. In slower months, most are completed in 5–10 business days.

You'll receive status updates throughout the process so you're never left wondering where things stand.

Our organizer will walk you through what to upload, step by step - including W-2s, 1099-Rs, 1099 investment forms, and anything else tax-related. We also ask for a full copy of last year’s return so we can confirm fit and pricing.

If we notice that something obvious is missing, we’ll reach out through your secure portal to request it. That said, it is your responsibility to upload the right documents. As much as we wish we had a crystal tax ball, we’ll need your help to make sure nothing gets missed! 😉

For most clients, we aim to file on time - not extend. That’s because extensions require additional time to ensure you’ve paid enough in taxes, and they delay important advisor conversations and planning.

To keep things on track, we ask for all documents by March 15. If documents come in after that date, a $100 surcharge applies. If they arrive after April 1, an additional $100 surcharge is added due to the increased strain and bottleneck of last-minute filings.

That said, we understand life happens - whether it’s a missing form or an unexpected delay. If that’s your situation, reach out early. We’re happy to be flexible when there’s open communication.