About Brass Taxes…
Brass Taxes was started to serve the financial and tax preparing needs of freelancers & artists. We have expanded to serve everyone who wants to work with a person who understands the ups and downs of life while dealing with complicated and anxiety provoking things.
For a lot of the work force today, we were pursuing our dreams and ended up becoming businesses, but we don’t want to spend our lives dealing with the gray areas of finances.
That’s where Brass Taxes comes in. If you can handle what you are asking us about, we’ll tell you. If it will work out better and easier to have us handle it for you, we’ll tell you. We’ll always lay out the options and let you choose giving our honest opinion. Promise.
Whether it’s financial planning, back taxes, setting up an LLC, or just organizing so you’re not freaking out all the time, Brass Taxes can help.
Comments (22)
Caitlin
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I was referred to Rus after having trouble with Turbo Tax and all of the complications and complexities that come from being a contractor. His online system enabled me to better organize my expenses in preparation for our meeting, which was held over the telephone since I am not in New York. Rus clarified and corrected errors I had made and gave me some ideas for future financial planning. I wholeheartedly recommend his services.
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Rose
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I’m a professor that lives one state and works in another. I own a co-op and I have my own scheduled C as a practicing artists/ photo retoucher- and I do a little bit of investing.
Just thinking about my taxed makes me want to cry.
Rus is great. He gets it done, and its painless. He knows his way around when it comes to artists with slightly funky incomes.
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Tony
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I dread having my taxes done every year. As a freelance musician, I usually spend about 2.5 hours at H&R block sorting out all of my scattered income and expenses. This past year was the most complex to date and Rus had it done in half the amount of time it usually takes. Great experience all around!
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Rachel Bee Porter
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By far the best tax experience I’ve ever had. Rus is very knowledgeable, helpful, and personable. He made quick work of my pile of 1099s and W2s. I left the appointment with a smile and a refund!
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Sarah Bibi
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I’ve never gone on a tax appointment that was as exciting as a really fun first date…and gave him $200. (Usually it’s way more expensive for first dates). I really appreciate Russ taking the time to work with me and explaining how he can get the most back for a freelancer like myself. (And BONUS: He looks just like J.J. Abrams).
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Cara Ryan
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I highly recommend Brass Taxes…Rus Garafalo will make the dreaded tax process painless, fast, and there is a good chance you will get a nice return… As someone who has done taxes on my own and with Rus…I can tell you going to see Rus is MUCH better!
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David Levin
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I usually use Turbotax, but even with that program I was REALLY dreading doing my taxes last year because of all my acting gigs. Then a friend recommended Rus, and boy am I glad he did! His fee was low, and he got me a refund that I would never, ever have gotten on my own. Definitely will use him again this year.
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Sydney Hollis
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I was referred to Rus by a good friend of mine, and I’m glad he referred me because Rus got me more money back and knew more about tax stuff than I’d ever know myself. He’s professional, thorough and quick. He’s also available for questions etc. throughout the year, not just at tax time which is a huge plus. I’m definitely hooked on Brass Taxes.
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Emily
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Taxes are terrifying to me. I’ve always had my dad’s tax guy do mine because I thought it was the easiest, least stressful way. But over the past few years I’d gotten the feeling that I was not getting the most out of my tax return. So this year I took my taxes into my own hands and went to Rus. Rus totally understood my position as a freelance photographer just starting a business and got me a much bigger return than I expected. He even helped me come up with a plan to make next year’s taxes more manageable. Rus is fantastic!
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Jenn
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Although I only had one W2 + student loans and figured I could do my taxes myself, I went to Rus. I’m glad I did! He helped me identify relevant business expenses and answer questions so that I was able to itemize effectively and receive back several hundred dollars more than I had anticipated. I was surprised that a simple return could change so much. Plus he’s a nice guy and easygoing, so that the whole process was a lot less stressful than wading through it myself online. I will happily go to him again next year. He’s worth every penny.
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Rafael
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I’m a freelance video editor. I used to go to my father’s accountant for my first few years filling taxes. Nice guy, but I just didn’t feel like he had enough experience with people in my line of work. With Rus, I know I’ve got someone who understands my situation well and has a list of clients like me.
And I’ve just got to say, maybe I wasn’t prepared enough in the past, but I’ve never gotten my taxes taken care of so quickly and thoroughly.
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Jack
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Before Rus, I was against the very notion of paying taxes. Every April I would mail the IRS a copy of the Constitution with the 16th Amendment crossed out in protest. Sometimes I would include a picture of Mel Gibson as Braveheart to show them I meant business. I digress. Two years ago I turned to Rus, and he made filing my taxes such an easy and painless experience that I recommended him to all my co-workers. This year Rus came to my office, walked me through every step of the process, found a bunch of deductions, and e-filed my return. He is the best.
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Brian Ariotti
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As a freelance writer/producer/director for the last few years, tax season was always a time of angst and despair for me. I became accustomed to throwing the burden on my father until I ended up owing the government about $1,000 one year. That’s when Rus stepped in. He exponentially blew my last year’s tax return out of the universe for a fee that was less than a tenth of what I would be getting back in a week. Rus is amongst the most compassionate, polite, and informed tax-preparers you could find. Oh, and he has a faithful dog in his office too!
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Caroline Creaghead
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Last year I went from fully employed to unemployed to temporarily employed on freelance jobs, so I had no idea what that meant for me and my taxes. Luckily, Rus did. He was so easy to talk to – I hate talking about money, especially when I don’t have any… but he made me feel super comfortable discussing what made the most sense for me in my unique situation. I didn’t feel rushed or like I was just a number. Instead it was like “oh yeah IRS? You want me to do my taxes? Fine! But I’m going to do it with a friend and have so much fun that I forget that it’s not supposed to be any fun, traditionally.”
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Dan M.
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I’m a staff writer for The Onion News Network, and I also do occasional freelance gigs on the side for which I get 1099s. In the past I’ve always gone to H&R Block for my taxes but this year, due to a series of fascinating coincidences I won’t get into, I went with Rus. He charged about the same amount as H&R Block, but the experience with was far more personal and enjoyable. Rus met me at my office, took care of my paperwork quickly, saved me some money, and even told me how I can keep track of my expenses so that I can do better on my taxes next year. I’ll definitely go back to Rus next year, provided I have not died by then.
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Gabe G.
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I work as a producer at The Colbert Report as well as doing some freelance writing and producing. I’ve been doing my own taxes for the past couple years and never really felt like I was doing it right. Rus patiently guided me through the tax process and finally made me feel like I was doing taxes like a grown-up! I’ll be back, Rus. You’ve been warned.
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Anne J.
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Rus is the nicest! Myself and few other co-workers here at The Onion, were lucky enough to have him work around our schedule, come to our office, and get through each of our returns in about an hour! I can’t say enough about how thorough, easy-going, and competent Rus is. You won’t even know you’re dealing with an accountant- it’s more like hanging with a buddy who’s super good at math. I would recommend him to anyone and everyone.
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Don Diego
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I’m a freelance writer and barista who did not know anything about taxes. With Rus’s help, I received the maximum allowable tax refund by law. Rus is a gentleman and a tax wiz. Definitely go with him.
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Stephanie
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Last year I thought my taxes would be a nightmare – I had a W2 from Illinois, another from New York, and a bunch of 1099′s from NYC. On top of all of this, as a freelancer, I had all sorts of business expenses that I didn’t know what to do with or how to claim. I went to Rus, and enjoyed tea and cookies as he deftly plowed through my mess. About an hour later I was totally psyched to discover that I was due for a refund! Thank-you, Rus!
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Katie
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I was a graduate student at Brooklyn College and freelance writing on the side. In the previous year, I GAVE 70 dollars in additional taxes to the proverbial man but with Rus’s help (and patience) I recieved about $1,000 in refunds this year. It ameliorated the stress, annoyance and guesswork. Totally worth it.
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Daniel Braha
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Rus did my taxes last year. I love having a smart, informed person who I can talk to about my taxes — someone who understands the rules and who can give me advice that makes sense. Rus, you’ll be doing my taxes again this year, so be ready!
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Eric
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I teach gymnastics to get by, and I’m currently spending more than I make in the acting world. Rus nearly doubled my tax return and in way less time than if I’d done it myself. Well worth it.
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