What documents do I need?+
W-2s, 1099s, Social Security numbers for dependents, last year's return, and any receipts for deductions you're claiming.
How long does it take?+
Simple returns are typically completed within 2–3 business days. Complex business returns may take 5–7 days.
Do you file state returns too?+
Yes. We file all required federal and state returns simultaneously, including Massachusetts state returns.
What if I owe money?+
We'll prepare a payment plan strategy and walk you through your options — including IRS installment agreements if needed.
What is a Power of Attorney for IRS purposes?+
Form 2848 authorizes us to represent you before the IRS. Once filed, the IRS contacts us instead of you directly.
Can you help if I haven't filed in years?+
Yes. We help clients get into compliance by preparing and filing all outstanding returns, then resolving any resulting balance.
What's an Offer in Compromise?+
An OIC allows you to settle your IRS debt for less than the full amount owed if you qualify based on income, expenses, and asset equity.
How long does IRS resolution take?+
Simple notice responses can be resolved in weeks. Audits and OICs can take 6–18 months depending on complexity.
What is an ITIN used for?+
Filing federal tax returns, opening bank accounts, applying for mortgages, building credit, and receiving government benefits where eligible.
Does getting an ITIN affect immigration status?+
No. The IRS is required by law to keep tax information confidential and does not share it with immigration authorities.
What documents do I need?+
A valid passport (most common) or two forms of identification including one photo ID and one proof of foreign status.
How long does the ITIN process take?+
Typically 7–11 weeks when submitted with a tax return. We submit through the IRS directly as a Certifying Acceptance Agent.
What accounting software do you use?+
We primarily work with QuickBooks Online and Xero, but can adapt to other platforms your business already uses.
Do you handle payroll taxes?+
Yes. We calculate, deposit, and file all federal and state payroll taxes including quarterly 941s and annual W-2s.
What if my books are a mess?+
We offer catch-up bookkeeping to bring your records current. We've cleaned up books going back 2–3 years for clients. See the catch-up table in our pricing section.
How is pricing structured?+
Three monthly retainer tiers — Essentials, Growth, and Advisory — based on transaction volume, payroll needs, and how strategic the engagement gets. Add-ons available at any tier.
How much life insurance do I need?+
A common guideline is 10–12x your annual income, but the right amount depends on your debts, dependents, and financial goals. We calculate this for you.
What's the difference between term and whole life?+
Term provides coverage for a fixed period at lower cost. Whole life is permanent and builds cash value but costs more.
Can I get life insurance if I have health conditions?+
In many cases, yes. Some carriers specialize in higher-risk profiles. We match you with the right carrier for your situation.
Is life insurance part of estate planning?+
Yes. Life insurance proceeds pass to beneficiaries tax-free and can be a cornerstone of a generational wealth strategy.
Do I need an estate plan if I don't have a lot of assets?+
Yes. Anyone with dependents, a business, or property should have at minimum a will and updated beneficiaries on all accounts.
What happens if I die without a will?+
Your estate goes through probate and is distributed according to state law — which may not reflect your wishes or protect your family.
What is a revocable living trust?+
A trust that holds your assets during your lifetime and transfers them to beneficiaries at death — avoiding probate and keeping matters private.
How does this differ from what an attorney does?+
We handle the financial planning, account alignment, and tax strategy. We coordinate with your attorney for legal documents.
How long does a website take to build?+
Most professional business websites are completed in 2–3 weeks. Complex multi-page sites may take 4–6 weeks.
Do you manage ongoing ads?+
Yes. We offer monthly ad management retainers that include campaign optimization, creative updates, and performance reporting.
What platforms do you build on?+
We build on Next.js/React for custom sites and also work with Framer, Webflow, and WordPress depending on the client's needs.
What budget do I need for ads?+
We recommend a minimum of $500/month in ad spend for Meta or Google campaigns, plus our management fee.
Why coaching instead of doing it for me?+
Federal law (CROA, 15 U.S.C. §1679) and Massachusetts c. 93 §68A heavily regulate any company that submits dispute letters on a consumer's behalf for a fee. We chose to launch with the COACHING model because it's the only compliant path that puts more capability in your hands long-term — and because anything we coach you to do, you can also do yourself for free under federal law.
How long until I see results?+
Realistic timing: 30–90 days for most disputable items to resolve, with score impact compounding over the following 60 days as utilization and aging adjust. Some files (mixed-file disputes, identity-theft blocks) resolve in days. We never guarantee specific score outcomes.
What can be disputed?+
Any item that is inaccurate, unverifiable, or obsolete (older than 7 years for most items, 10 years for bankruptcy). We do NOT coach you to dispute accurate negative information — that's the line every credit-repair scam crosses, and it's specifically prohibited by CROA §1679b.
Does coaching count as legal advice?+
No — and we're explicit about that boundary. We are not attorneys. We provide financial education and template resources. For actual legal advice (FCRA litigation, identity theft litigation, debt-collection lawsuits, bankruptcy), we refer you to licensed Massachusetts consumer-protection attorneys.
When does this launch?+
Full launch in 2026, once our Massachusetts consumer-finance counsel signs off on every required disclosure and form (§1679c disclosure, §1679d engagement letter, MA c. 93 §68C statement, and the Notice of Cancellation). Get on the waitlist below — we'll email you the moment it opens.
What's the difference between the three tiers?+
Starter ($497) is DIY-guided — we give you instructions, vendor templates, and a 30-minute strategy call; you do the registrations yourself. Blueprint ($750) is done-for-you on all 3 bureaus + 5 Net-30 vendors with 30-day follow-up. Concierge ($1,500) is Blueprint + 5 additional Tier 2 vendor accounts, NAV.com setup, business card application strategy, and 60-day follow-up.
Do I need good personal credit for this to work?+
Business credit can be built on your LLC's identity using the EIN — separate from your personal credit. However, your first business credit card application typically still requires a personal guarantee, which means your personal credit affects approval. We work on the business profile in parallel with personal credit improvements.
How is this different from credit repair?+
Credit repair addresses inaccurate items on your personal credit report. Business credit building creates a brand-new profile for your LLC from scratch — there's nothing to dispute, just tradelines to establish. The two services complement each other but solve different problems.
What's the monthly maintenance for?+
Once your initial profile is built, ongoing maintenance ($99 or $149/mo) keeps it growing — adding 1–2 new vendor tradelines per quarter, monitoring your PAYDEX and Intelliscore, and confirming everything reports correctly. The $149 tier adds priority response and a quarterly written growth plan.
Can my brand-new LLC start immediately?+
Yes — and that's the best time. The earlier you start, the sooner your tradelines age. A 12-month-old LLC with 6 well-aged tradelines outperforms a 5-year-old LLC with no business credit history when applying for SBA or acquisition financing.
Do you guarantee a Paydex score or business card approval?+
No. We guarantee the work — registrations, vendor applications, follow-up, and the structural roadmap. Score outcomes depend on the client paying vendors on time and on each card issuer's underwriting at the time of application.
What's your fee vs. the attorney's fee?+
Polanco Advisory Group charges a flat $350 intake fee (or $500 for design marks and multi-class applications). The attorney's fee and the $350 USPTO filing fee are separate and billed directly by them. Total typical cost: $1,050–$1,550.
Do I really need an attorney? Can't I file it myself?+
Federal law requires foreign applicants to use an attorney. For U.S. businesses it's not required, but 70%+ of pro-se applications get rejected for technical issues that cost more to fix than to avoid. Using an attorney is by far the cheapest path to a registration that actually holds up.
How long does registration take?+
Typical timeline is 8–14 months from filing to registration, assuming no office actions. Filing gives you immediate priority and constructive national notice from day one.
What's a specimen?+
Proof that you're actually using the mark in commerce — photos of product packaging, a screenshot of your website showing the mark, signage on your storefront, or an invoice with your mark on it.
Can you guarantee my trademark will be approved?+
No one can. The USPTO rejects marks that are too descriptive, too similar to existing marks, or generic. That's exactly why we do a clearance search before filing — to catch problems early and adjust strategy before you spend the filing fee.
Do you handle international trademarks?+
We focus on U.S. (USPTO) registrations. For international protection via the Madrid Protocol or country-by-country filing, we coordinate with specialized international trademark counsel.