Boutique Tax Advisory
Behind on taxes?IRS bothering you?
Marlene Amata — 30 years of tax strategy for business owners, S-Corp shareholders, and high-income professionals.
Most of our clients were overpaying six figures before they found us. A complimentary Tax Strategy Call shows you exactly where the money is going.
Complimentary 30-minute consultation — by appointment only
30+
Years in Practice
$300K+
Client Income Floor
50
States Served
Why Amata Accounting
A practice built on precision,
not volume.
Amata Accounting is not a factory. We are a boutique firm serving a deliberately small roster of high-income clients — because real tax strategy demands real attention.
01
Three Decades of Authority
Marlene has navigated 30 years of changing tax codes, IRS policy shifts, and economic cycles. That depth cannot be replicated.
02
Boutique by Design
We limit our client roster intentionally. Every client receives direct access to Marlene — not a junior associate, not an AI chatbot.
03
Collaborative Approach
We work alongside your attorney, financial advisor, and CPA to build an integrated tax strategy — not an isolated one.
04
National Reach, Remote Delivery
Serving clients in all 50 states. No office visits required. Secure, efficient, and designed for busy professionals.
What We Do
Tax strategy that
protects your wealth.
We consolidate complex tax work into a cohesive strategy — not a checklist of transactions. Every engagement begins with understanding your full financial picture.
Primary Advisory
Strategic Tax Advisory
Proactive tax planning, consulting, and reasonable compensation analysis for business owners and S-Corp shareholders. We identify savings opportunities the IRS hopes you miss — often six figures or more annually.
- Tax Planning & Advisory
- Tax Consulting
- Reasonable Compensation Studies
- Beginning basis reconciliation
- Year-round basis tracking for each shareholder or partner
- Integration with tax planning
- Clear documentation for IRS audits or lender requests
- Get compliant
- Reduce taxes
- Move forward with confidence
Compliance
S-Corp & Business Compliance
Precise, deadline-driven preparation and filing for S-Corp returns, multi-state filings, and complex personal returns. Compliance handled right, so you stay focused on growth.
- S-Corp Compliance
- Individual & Business Tax Preparation
Foundation
Financial Foundation
Clean, audit-ready books are the backbone of sound tax strategy. We maintain your financial records with the rigor your advisory work demands — monthly, quarterly, or annually.
- Bookkeeping & Financial Records
Start Here
Your complimentary
Tax Strategy Call.
In 30 minutes, we’ll review your current tax situation, identify where you may be overpaying, and determine whether Amata is the right fit for your needs.
This call is complimentary and confidential. No obligation, no hard sell — just clarity on where your money is going.
Who We Serve
Built for those who’ve
outgrown the basics.
Our clients earn $300,000 or more annually and have tax situations that demand more than software and guesswork. If your current accountant treats you like a form to file, you’re in the right place.
Business Owners
Founders and operators managing payroll, entity structure, and multi-year tax exposure. You need strategy, not just compliance.
S-Corp Shareholders
Reasonable compensation, distribution planning, and the IRS scrutiny that comes with pass-through income. We handle the complexity.
Tech Professionals
RSUs, stock options, AMT implications, and concentrated equity positions. Your compensation is complex — your tax strategy should match.
High-Income Earners
If you’re earning $300K+ and don’t have a proactive tax advisor, you are very likely overpaying. Most of our clients were before they found us.
We intentionally maintain a small roster. If you’re looking for the lowest price or a transactional filing service, we’re likely not the right fit — and we’ll tell you so honestly.
30
Years
About Marlene
Three decades of protecting what you’ve earned.
Marlene Amata founded this firm with a conviction that most high-income individuals are poorly served by their accountants — overpaying in taxes because no one is looking at the full picture.
For over 30 years, she has worked exclusively with business owners, S-Corp shareholders, and high-income professionals to build tax strategies that are proactive, not reactive. Her approach is collaborative: she works alongside your attorney, financial advisor, and estate planner to ensure every piece of your financial life is working in concert.
Marlene’s practice is deliberately boutique. She doesn’t delegate your file to a junior associate. She doesn’t automate your strategy. Every client works directly with her — and that’s exactly why her clients stay for decades.
“I don’t believe in tax surprises. By the time we file, my clients already know exactly where they stand — and exactly how much we’ve saved them.”
— Marlene Amata, Founder
Client Voices
What our clients say.
“Placeholder — Marlene, add a real client testimonial here. Ideally a business owner or S-Corp shareholder describing specific results: taxes saved, peace of mind gained, or how your proactive approach changed their financial outlook.”
Client Name
Business Owner — [City, State]
“Placeholder — A second testimonial from a different client type (e.g., a tech professional or high-income earner). Focus on credibility, trust, and measurable impact. Two to three sentences is ideal.”
Client Name
Tech Executive — [City, State]
“Placeholder — A third testimonial. Consider a client who came to you behind on taxes or after a bad experience with another firm. Show the transformation and the relief they felt working with you.”
Client Name
S-Corp Shareholder — [City, State]
Common Questions
Answers before you ask.
What’s the difference between tax preparation and tax planning?
Tax preparation is backward-looking — it documents what already happened and files the return. Tax planning is forward-looking — it structures your income, deductions, entity choices, and timing to legally minimize what you owe before year-end. Most accountants only do preparation. We lead with planning, because that’s where the real savings happen. For clients earning $300K+, the difference between preparation alone and proactive planning is often six figures annually.
How do I know if I’m overpaying in taxes?
If your accountant files your return without a mid-year strategy conversation, you’re likely overpaying. Other red flags: you don’t know your effective tax rate, you’ve never discussed entity restructuring, or you receive a large refund every year (which means you gave the IRS an interest-free loan). Our complimentary Tax Strategy Call is designed to identify exactly where you stand — and what you may be leaving on the table.
What is reasonable compensation for S-Corp shareholders?
The IRS requires S-Corp shareholders who perform services for the company to pay themselves a “reasonable” salary — one that reflects what you’d earn doing similar work for someone else. Setting this too low invites audits and penalties; too high means unnecessary payroll taxes. We conduct formal reasonable compensation studies using industry data, job responsibilities, and regional benchmarks to find the right number — defensible to the IRS and optimized for your bottom line.
When should I consider forming an S-Corp?
Generally, when your net self-employment income consistently exceeds $60,000–$80,000 annually, an S-Corp election can save significant self-employment taxes. But it’s not right for everyone — it adds compliance requirements, payroll obligations, and administrative costs. We evaluate the full picture: your income level, growth trajectory, state tax implications, and long-term goals before recommending an entity change. The wrong structure costs more than it saves.
Can you help if I’m behind on filing taxes?
Yes. We work with clients who are one, two, or several years behind. The IRS is more forgiving than most people expect — if you approach the situation proactively with a clear plan. We’ll assess your exposure, prepare delinquent returns, and if needed, work with the IRS on penalty abatement or installment arrangements. The worst thing you can do is wait. The sooner we address it, the more options you have.
Do you work with my existing financial advisor or attorney?
Absolutely — and we prefer it. Tax strategy doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The best outcomes happen when your accountant, financial advisor, estate attorney, and insurance professional are all coordinating. We proactively communicate with your team to ensure every decision — from investment allocations to entity structuring to retirement contributions — is tax-optimized. If your current advisors aren’t talking to each other, that’s a problem we solve.
What happens during a Tax Strategy Call?
It’s a 30-minute conversation directly with Marlene. We’ll discuss your current income sources, entity structure, and tax situation at a high level. No documents needed upfront. By the end of the call, you’ll have a clear sense of whether you’re overpaying, what opportunities exist, and whether Amata is the right firm for your needs. There’s no obligation and no sales pitch — just honest, informed perspective from someone who’s done this for three decades.
Stop overpaying.
Start with a conversation.
Your Tax Strategy Call is complimentary, confidential, and takes 30 minutes. Most clients tell us it’s the most valuable half-hour they’ve spent on their finances in years.