BOUTIQUE TAX ADVISORY

Behind on taxes?
Overpaying the IRS?
Let's fix that.

Marlene Amata has over 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 your money is going and how to protect what you've built.

Complimentary 30-min consultation · By appointment

Professional portrait of a smiling woman

Marlene Amata

FOUNDER & SENIOR STRATEGIST

30 Yrs Exp

30+

YEARS IN PRACTICE

$300K+

CLIENT INCOME FLOOR

50

STATES SERVED REMOTELY

WHY AMATA ACCOUNTING

A practice built on precision,
not volume.

Amata Accounting is not a filing factory. We are a boutique advisory firm serving a deliberately small roster of high-income clients, because real tax strategy demands individual attention.

01

Three Decades of Authority

Marlene has navigated 30 years of changing tax codes, IRS policy shifts, and economic cycles. That level of foresight cannot be replicated.

02

Boutique by Design

We limit our client roster intentionally. Every client receives direct access to Marlene, not a junior associate or an automated bot.

03

Collaborative Approach

We work alongside your attorney, financial advisor, and estate planner to build an integrated tax strategy — never operating in a silo.

04

National Reach, Remote

Serving clients across all 50 states. No office visits required. Secure, efficient, and tailored for busy high-earning 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.

  • Proactive Tax Planning & Advisory
  • Reasonable Compensation Studies
  • Beginning Basis Reconciliation & Tracking
  • Clear Documentation for IRS Audits & Lenders

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 Annual Tax Filings
  • Multi-State Tax Compliance
  • Complex Individual Returns (1040/Schedule C/E)

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.

  • Audit-Ready Monthly Bookkeeping
  • Financial Statement Preparation
  • Clean Reconciliation for Year-End Tax Prep

— COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION —

Your Complimentary Tax Strategy Call

In 30 minutes, Marlene Amata will review your tax picture, uncover potential savings, and determine if Amata Accounting is the right fit.

DIRECT WITH FOUNDER

30-Minute Tax Strategy Call

By appointment only. Talk directly with Marlene Amata, with 30 years of tax strategy experience for business owners and high-income professionals.

30 Minutes - Zoom or Phone

Serving Clients In All 50 States

100% Confidential & No Obligation

"By the time we file, my clients already know exactly where they stand and how much we've saved them."

Marlene Amata, Founder

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WHO WE SERVE

Built for those who have
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.

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+ without a proactive advisor, you are very likely overpaying. Most of our clients were before they found us.

Selective Client Roster

We intentionally maintain a small client list. If you're looking for the lowest price or a transactional DIY-filing service, we're likely not the right fit, and we'll tell you so upfront.

Marlene Amata
30 Years
YEARS PROTECTING HIGH-NET-WORTH WEALTH

ABOUT MARLENE AMATA

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 traditional 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 synchronized.

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.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Working with Marlene transformed our business tax position. She restructured our S-Corp compensation and identified deductions our prior CPA missed completely. The peace of mind alone is priceless."

Marcus T.
Business Owner - San Francisco, CA
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"As a tech VP dealing with RSUs and complex stock vesting, tax time used to be a nightmare. Marlene untangled everything and coordinated directly with my wealth manager. Exceptional service."

Elena V.
Tech Executive - Austin, TX
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"I came to Marlene two years behind on multi-state filings. She handled the entire situation with calm authority, communicated with the IRS, and resolved every issue without penalty surprises."

Robert K.
S-Corp Shareholder - Bakersfield, CA

COMMON QUESTIONS

Answers before you ask.

What's the difference between tax preparation and tax planning?

Tax preparation is the process of filing your past year's returns. Tax planning is proactive strategy to minimize your future tax burden.

How do I know if I'm overpaying in taxes?

If you lack a proactive strategy and your current professional simply files forms without reviewing your full financial picture, there are likely missed savings.

What is reasonable compensation for S-Corp shareholders?

Reasonable compensation depends on your industry, role, and business revenue. We analyze this carefully to balance compliance and tax efficiency.

When should I consider forming an S-Corp?

Generally, when your business nets over $60k-$80k consistently, the self-employment tax savings from an S-Corp election may offset the additional administrative costs.

Can you help if I'm behind on filing taxes?

Yes, we can help you get caught up, assess penalties, and develop a plan to remain compliant moving forward.

Do you work with my existing financial advisor or attorney?

Absolutely. A collaborative approach with your full financial team ensures your tax strategy aligns with your long-term goals.

What happens during a Tax Strategy Call?

We review your current situation, identify potential areas of concern or opportunity, and determine if our firm is the right fit to optimize your tax strategy.

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.

White outline version of the 'Amata Accounting' logo with serif letters and cursive script.

Boutique tax advisory and accounting practice run by Marlene Amata. 30+ years protecting wealth and optimizing taxes for business owners, S-Corp shareholders, and high-income professionals nationwide.

Bakersfield, CA - Serving Clients in All 50 States

© 2024 Amata Accounting Firm. All rights reserved.

This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice until a formal engagement agreement is executed.