Common Questions

Butter is a membership that combines proactive tax planning with annual tax preparation in one year-round relationship. A filing-only relationship can leave planning and coordination to you; Butter helps you make better financial decisions before they happen: equity compensation, real estate, private investments, a move, or a major life event. Think of us as the team you talk to before a decision, not just when taxes are due.

Software files what already happened. It doesn’t think ahead. Butter provides CPA-led preparation, supported by technology and reviewed by experienced tax professionals, plus planning all year — most of the value happens in the planning between filings, not the filing itself.

Most members come to Butter after years with a CPA they liked. The issue usually isn’t the quality of the return — it’s a relationship built around filing once a year. Butter adds the proactive, year-round side: someone who flags opportunities and answers questions before decisions get made, not just after.

Wealth advisors focus on investment management and broader financial planning. Butter focuses on personal tax preparation and proactive tax planning, working alongside your existing advisor.

Butter is built for people whose financial lives have outgrown traditional tax prep — typically $350K+ in annual household income, with complex compensation, investments, or tax needs, such as one or more of: equity compensation, multiple brokerage accounts, rental property, K-1 income, angel investments, multi-state taxes, or a major life change. If your return is relatively simple, you probably don’t need Butter yet.

That’s exactly who Butter is built for. Equity timing, withholding corrections, and exercise-and-hold decisions are core to what we do — not an edge case.

Yes. K-1 income is included in Butter’s personal tax preparation and planning. Most Butter clients earn primarily W-2 income, but may also have partnership income, investments, or a side business. We consider these together as part of your overall personal tax picture.

Yes. Multi-state planning is a regular part of Butter’s work, and membership isn’t tied to a specific state or city.

A relaxed, 30-minute conversation about where you are today and what’s ahead. We’ll learn about your situation and highlight planning opportunities that may apply. By the end, we’ll both know if it’s a fit.

Yes. Membership can start any time; your first year is scoped around when you join, not a fixed calendar cycle.

One flat annual fee: $3,000/year for an individual filer, $3,500/year for joint filers. No hourly billing, no line-item invoices.

Because the biggest tax savings happen before you file. You’re not paying for a return — you’re paying for year-round guidance on the decisions that shape it. One flat fee means you never hesitate to reach out before an important decision.

Filing with a spouse or partner? Butter offers a dual-filer membership at $3,500/year — just $500 more than individual. One team, one flat fee, for both of you.

Federal and state tax preparation, an initial tax strategy, two proactive planning sessions each year, year-round access to your team, proactive check-ins before key moments, and the Butter app with document management. One relationship, one team, year-round.

CPA-led preparation, supported by technology and reviewed by experienced tax professionals. The team’s experience includes 20+ years in public accounting and firms ranked among the top 100 in the U.S.

Yes. Butter protects your data with industry-standard encryption at rest and in transit. Your documents are stored with AWS. We retain your data only as long as needed to service your account and meet applicable legal and tax obligations.

Technology supports the preparation process, and a senior reviewer checks every return before it’s filed.