Choosing a tax preparer is easier when the service menu resembles the return you actually need to file. Lomax Tax Services’ published menu in Newark names several distinct situations—from an individual return to self-employment, rental income, investment activity, and an initial ITIN return. Those categories give prospective clients a useful starting point, but they do not answer every question about the documents, current scope, or fees involved. The practical decision is whether the firm’s listed work matches your tax year and income sources closely enough to start a focused conversation.
Use the menu to describe the return, not to assume its complexity
The service page separates an individual tax return from married filing jointly and lists self-employment as an additional service alongside individual preparation. It also names rental income, stocks and cryptocurrency, and an initial ITIN return. These entries can help a household summarize what changed during the year. For example, someone with wage income and a new rental property can ask whether the return will cover both streams, rather than asking only for a basic filing.
A menu label is not a determination of how a specific return should be reported. The page does not spell out which forms or supporting schedules are included, how unusual transactions are handled, or whether additional review is needed. Before sharing sensitive records, state the tax year, filing status you expect to use, and each income or investment category involved. Ask the preparer to confirm the work covered and identify any information that still needs assessment.
Separate a business return from self-employment on an individual return
Small-business owners should be precise about what they mean by “business taxes.” Lomax’s official site describes tax preparation for individuals and small businesses, while its menu separately lists self-employment as an addition to an individual return. Those phrases point to possible service categories, but they do not establish that every business structure or filing obligation is covered. A sole proprietor asking about business income may have a different set of needs from an incorporated business seeking a separate entity return.
In an initial discussion, identify the business structure, whether the request concerns an owner’s individual filing or an entity return, and whether bookkeeping or accounting is also part of the request. Ask which records should be gathered and whether the firm handles the exact return type. This distinction helps prevent an assumption that a listing for small-business tax preparation automatically includes every business filing or accounting task.
Flag rental and investment activity before sending records
The menu explicitly names rental income and stocks and crypto, each shown as an addition to an individual tax return. That is a helpful signal for people whose filing is no longer limited to ordinary wage documents. It is not a description of the firm’s process for tracking transactions, reconciling statements, or determining how a particular item should be treated for tax purposes.
For rental activity, ask what income and expense records the preparer wants and whether information about the property’s use or ownership is relevant to the engagement. For investment activity, ask how to provide complete tax forms and transaction records, especially if there are multiple accounts or digital-asset activity. The IRS may require taxpayers to report income or other information depending on their circumstances; a preparer should review the actual facts and applicable filing requirements rather than rely on a broad category name. Keep your question factual and specific, and do not send account credentials.
Clarify the initial ITIN service and the documents it involves
The published menu includes “ITIN initial return,” but does not explain eligibility, document requirements, handling of original documents, or how that service relates to the tax return. Anyone considering this option should ask what the listing means in their situation, which records are needed, and what steps the office does or does not perform. An online label alone cannot confirm eligibility or guarantee an outcome. Keep identity documents secure and agree on an appropriate submission method before transmitting them.
Confirm current scope and logistics with the Newark office
Lomax Tax Services lists its address as 345 7th Ave W, Newark, NJ 07107, and publishes its contact information at lomaxtaxservices.com. The website says visits are by appointment, so confirm the current appointment process before traveling or sending documents. Its services page displays category-specific amounts, but those figures may not describe the complete cost for a particular return; ask for a current explanation of the fee and what it includes before authorizing work.
Useful questions include whether the requested return type is currently handled, what records to provide, how the preparer will review questions or missing items, and what the fee covers. Credential claims should also be checked directly and, where applicable, through the IRS’s public preparer directory; the business website’s wording by itself is not independent verification. These checks are especially worthwhile when a return includes business, rental, investment, or ITIN-related questions.
Lomax’s published categories make it possible to approach the Newark office with a concrete description instead of a general request to “do taxes.” Match your situation to the closest menu item, explain what additional income or filing needs are involved, and confirm the current scope, document process, appointment details, and cost. That conversation can establish whether the service fits the return before you share records or proceed with tax preparation.