*Note: CPAs may specialize in different areas. Be sure to check credentials and service offerings.*
If this is your first time working with a CPA, don’t worry — most professionals offer a free consultation and will walk you through what to expect. You may be asked to complete an intake form, share financial documents, or set clear goals for your session.
*Note: Every CPA operates a bit differently. Don’t hesitate to ask questions before committing.*
*Tip: Organize your documents in advance to save time and ensure accuracy.*
*Note: Preparation helps you make the most of your CPA’s expertise.*
*Note: Every CPA is different — take time to find one who fits your goals and style.*
745 N Vulcan Ave
Encinitas, California 92024
I was given John's contact info by my agent and reached out to him to see if he could help with tax laws related to specific real estate questions we weren't clear about. Although John said it wasn't what his company specialized in, he was very helpful, listened carefully and provided some of his contacts for me to reach out to. I thought, wow, there are good and kind business people out there who aren't just seeking your business, but will help try to point you to the right direction. Thanks again, John!
Awesome and amazing is the best way for me to described John and Milikowsky Tax Law. I love the way he communicates with clarity, knowledge, sincerity and always with the best resolution for the client is at the top of his list. After reviewing my business tax situation, it was rewarding to learn that I had, other options that I wasn't aware of and answered every question we had with quality of being certain or definite. I will definitely recommend John and his firm to my friends, family and business acqu
After a sudden tax matter, I quickly searched for legal advice and found Milikowsky Tax Law on YouTube and watched several informative videos that answered so many questions right away. No other law firm had content that made me feel at ease with this new issue. After an incredibly productive consultation, I knew John Milikowsky and his team would be the absolute best to handle my situation and help me get my business back on track. I highly recommend them for all your tax needs!
John is an outstanding attorney who combines expertise with a genuine, down-to-earth approach. He spoke with me like a friend while providing clear, knowledgeable guidance. He truly cares about his clients but doesn?t sugarcoat things. He?s on my speed dial, and I highly recommend him to anyone in need of legal services.
John was a great resource and extremely helpful answering our questions when faced with an audit. John is very knowledgeable and has the experience and passion to help businesses of all sizes. Will be my first call everytime.
John has been very helpful thus far exploring our next steps with employee/contractor classification and I appreciate his thorough approach to investigating all areas. Looking forward to working with him more.
I give John Milikowsky and his firm an A+! He and his associates were thorough, collaborative and successful in resolving my case, hassle-free. I had a PPP loan and forgot to apply for forgiveness in time. The firm stepped in and completely resolved the problem?and at a very reasonable price. In addition to being totally professional John and his team are wonderful people.
Hiring John to help us with our EDD case was one of the best decisions we have made hands down since going into business over 20 years ago. His knowledge of how the EDD works proved true when everything he told us that would & wouldn't happen came to fruition as he said it would. I highly recommend using John & his team on anything he tells you he can help you with. That is coming from someone who had viewed attorneys as a four letter word. My faith has been restored in using a qualified attorney & John & h
Called John in the morning to schedule a appointment regarding a EDD audit. We had an appointment next day but he decided to call me couple hours later. He answered all my questions and educated me on how the process works. Thank you John and will contact you soon!
Mr. Milikowsky was open, responsive and extremely knowledgeable in regards to an EDD Audit and the process. He has tons of experience and gave great insight into what to expect. If you need a trusted honest professional give Attorney John Milikowsky a call.
We worked with John and his team for about three years with a very complicated case which we thought we would never win. However he listened to our story/case very carefully and navigated us in the right direction which at the end resolved our case with a good result!! We can not thank him and his team enough! He is very knowledgeable and helpful and will make you feel comfortable! Highly recommend! Thank you again very much for your time and effort!
John has deep knowledge with his profession! I called on Friday to seek some help and he returned my call the same day. On the weekend, he spend an hour listened to my case patiently and analyzed what the outcome would. Thank you very much for treating customers seriously.
Very friendly and easy to communicate with. Provided me with excellent direction with my case and directed me towards additional resources outside of their firm.
John and his team are wonderful and easy to work with. Besides being an expert with deep knowledge, experience and perseverance, John is really benevolent, responsive and helpful. We have had a lot of headache receiving only partial forgiveness of the PPP loan, but now we feel ourselves in good hands!
I had some very important questions to ask about a bank levy on my account. I found Mr Milikowsky YouTube videos which were very helpful. So I decided to reached out to him and he was very courteous, not in a rush and answered just about every question I asked over the phone. I would recommend reaching out to him. awesome personality and very knowledgeable. Thank you sir
I called and spoke with John for a consultation, and he was a breath of fresh air, especially after talking to three other firms. He was very knowledgeable and seemed very honest and straightforward. I will definitely reach out to him again in the future, as needed. Thanks, John!
John was incredibly helpful in assisting with pressing tax issues. He was fully engaged and attentive and anyone who needs a fantastic tax lawyer would be smart to give him a call to see if he can help you.
John is a wonderful person. He helped us look into our situation and provided great advice on whether to proceed or not, without charging us anything. He is very responsive and tries to get back to us as early as possible. I would highly recommend him!
We were referred to Milikowsky Tax Law from an industry friend in one of the scariest moments of our businesses history: a CA sales tax audit. John instantly made us feel at ease with his approach on how to handle our audit. We came up with a plan and within a few months successfully closed our audit in our favor.
John is fantastic, friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and helped us feel at ease in a very difficult time. He has years of experience and I can tell we are in good hands. A friend recommended him and now I want to recommend him to you. And his office is awesome.
The best experience I have ever had since being in business over 30 years. This may sound far fetched but it's not. I was scared to death when I received my audit letter. John talked with me on the phone for a couple hours the first time. He took all that fear away. His team is so kind and so professional. They are amazing at how well they all do their job. No funny business, just A+++ professional. I would recommend them to everyone I know that needs assistance with any tax situations or tax audit problems
Milkowsky Tax Law has earned our trust.? We received value in the first 15 minutes of talking, and it only got better. John was able to identify a strategy for how my firm should handle an audit by the CA EDD within minutes, helping to save thousands of dollars. ?While I imagine no one is really excited about working with?a tax attorney in defense of an audit, when that day comes, the Milkowsky Tax Law team is and will be our trusted advisor. Thank you John Milkowsky!
John and his team were wonderful to work with. They were professional, had great communication and were able to get our PPP Forgiveness approved after we were originally denied. Would highly recommend them!
I am very happy with the service, the attorney John and is team are very professional, friendly and knowledgeable on tax matters. I highly recommend them to everyone. They will get back to you right away for sure. Definitely one of the best Tax Firm. Thanks a lot to John , Solin and the rest of the firm for the great work.
Such a pleasant and knowledgeable tax attorney. He called me back within the hour and listen thoroughly to my issue regarding a closed business and previous tax filings. Then discussed options that were available without pushing me in either direction. The advice was really sound exploring the risks and benefits of each option and I felt so relieved after the discovery call. You can tell this attorney really enjoys what he does and enjoys fighting for the little guy.
Our company worked with John Milikowsky for almost one year in a very complicated case involving forgiveness of our PPP loan. There were many times when it seemed like nothing would win our case, however, John was steadfast and persistent in all his efforts to eventually gain our company full forgiveness. We cannot thank him enough for his fierce determination to achieve this successful result and would highly recommend the Milikowsky Tax Law firm for any legal issues.
John is very helpful and knowledgeable on the topic and provided valuable support handling my situation !
Can't be more thankful to Milikowsky Tax Law for their help resolving a complicated business tax issue. It was a relief to get sound advice. It was clear that John really cared about my situation and wanted to genuinely help and see it to the end. Was calm, relaxed, explained everything plainly and was respectful. Absolutely recommend. Thank you!
I had an exceptional experience with Milikowsky Tax Law Firm. John Milikowsky contacted me directly in regards to an SBA matter at hand, not only he took the time to understand my case but also provided knowledgable information on what steps to take next. He's expertise and professionalism truly sets him apart, I highly recommend Milikowsky Tax Law Firm for anyone seeking top-notch tax legal services. Thank you for the excellent work!!
Was referred to John by my CFP. He was very nice and helpful to give me great information and perspectives on the phone in regards to the EDD Audit I will be going through. He even took time on a Saturday to complete our initial phone call.
John took time to explain and work me through the needed documentations I needed to support my SBA PPP Loan forgiveness. He sound highly professional and deep of knowledge.
john and his staff were extremely knowledgeable with a legal issue that was extremely unique. Throughout the process they were always available to answer questions and keep me informed of the case status and direction. I would highly recommend John and his team.
I was very worry about my ppp loan rejection John was so relax and knowledgeable he put six months on this projects and patiently defend me until we won today . Great job .
Called in for EDD Audit advice. The front desk person was very pleasant and got my info. A quick call back from one of their representatives that gave me great advice absolutely free.
John is awesome an attorney what to do on his job. He is so polite and helpful. We need that kind of lawyers in our country!
I found Mr. Milikowsky on You tube. I gave him and call and he was very gracious and informative. He followed up on me the next week. Great service.
John was extremely knowledgable about the complexities of our IRS audit situation and went above and beyond helping us out. We cannot recommend his office highly enough.
Very happy with the outcome after their hard work with intelligence for many years. So relieved now after many years of worries and sleepless nights. Great people with good and reliable advice. Thank you!
Loved the experience with John! Made it simple and easy to deal with. Thanks for giving me my next steps. I look forward in continuing using them. ??????
John Milikowsky Tax Law was very effective in handling my personal tax case. The firm's staff was professional and knowledgeable. My case is moving to a successful conclusion.
I am so glad I was able to find Milikowsky Tax Law, I was very surprised when I got the audit letter from EDD, I called them and as soon as I spoke to John my worries and anxiety were gone, they will go the extra mile to make sure they fight for the best outcome for their clients, I am so glad I took the decision to give them a call, I will totally recommend Milikowsky Tax Law for anyone with EDD & IRS audits.
John an his team where so helpful, they eased my concerns and gave me the confidence, advice and tools so move forward with positivity.
John helped me so much with questions about my complex PPP issues! I highly recommend this firm!
I couldn't even get this law firm to return a phone call for consult. My case was too small for them to be bothered or even referred to someone else.
Clean and concise answers to some questions I had. John and his staff were super friendly.
Very professional, knowledgeable and compassionate
Polite and efficient
Look for a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license, which ensures they’ve passed rigorous exams and meet state requirements. Check for relevant experience in your industry, additional certifications like CFA or CMA, and membership in professional organizations like the AICPA. Verify their credentials through state licensing boards.
Use online directories like the AICPA, CPAverify, or state CPA societies. Search platforms like Yelp or Google for local CPAs with reviews. Ask for referrals from business associates, friends, or financial advisors. Local chambers of commerce can also provide recommendations.
A CPA is a licensed professional who has passed the CPA exam and met state requirements for education and experience. An accountant may lack this certification and could have varying levels of expertise. For complex tasks like tax audits or financial reporting, a CPA is typically more qualified.
Ask about their experience with your specific financial needs, such as tax preparation, small business accounting, or estate planning. Review their website or LinkedIn for case studies or client testimonials. Inquire about their client base to ensure they handle similar financial situations.
Yes, reviews provide insight into a CPA’s reliability, communication, and performance. Check platforms like Google, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau for client feedback. Look for patterns in reviews, but verify their authenticity, as some may be biased or outdated.
Visit your state’s Board of Accountancy website or use CPAverify.org to check a CPA’s license status. Confirm their license is active and check for any disciplinary actions or complaints. This ensures they’re in good standing and meet professional standards.
Ask about their experience with your financial needs, fee structure, availability, and communication style. Inquire how they handle tax filings, audits, or financial planning. Ask for references or examples of similar work to assess their expertise and fit.
Fees vary based on location, services, and complexity. Basic tax preparation may cost $150-$500, while business accounting or audits can range from $1,000 to $10,000+. Request a detailed fee structure upfront and compare quotes from multiple CPAs.
Yes, many CPAs offer remote services through secure online platforms for document sharing and virtual consultations. Ensure they use encrypted tools for data security. Remote CPAs can be effective if they understand your local tax laws or business regulations.
During consultations, evaluate their ability to explain complex financial concepts clearly. Ask sample questions about taxes or financial strategies and note their responsiveness and clarity. Good communication ensures you understand their advice and fosters a productive relationship.
Beware of CPAs who guarantee specific tax refunds, lack a valid license, or have disciplinary actions on record. Avoid those with poor communication, vague fee structures, or negative reviews highlighting unethical behavior. Always verify their credentials independently.
Large firms offer more resources and specialized teams but may charge higher fees. Solo practitioners often provide personalized service and lower costs but may have limited availability. Choose based on your needs, budget, and preference for personalized attention.
For individuals, annual meetings for tax preparation may suffice. Businesses may need quarterly or monthly check-ins for bookkeeping, tax planning, or financial reporting. Discuss your needs upfront to establish a meeting schedule that aligns with your financial goals.
Yes, many CPAs handle both, but confirm their expertise in both areas. Ask about their experience managing personal taxes and business accounting simultaneously. Ensure they can balance both without compromising attention to your specific financial needs.
Discuss concerns directly with your CPA to resolve issues. If unresolved, check your contract for termination terms. Seek a new CPA by researching reviews, credentials, and referrals. Request your financial records to ensure a smooth transition to a new professional.