Same great business, new location

Simplified Tax of Sparta has been in business since the middle 1970s and while the friendly, competent service hasn’t changed, the location has.

In June, the tax preparation business moved from its former location on West Franklin Street in downtown Sparta to the former Clifton Larson Allen building at 525 Industrial Drive.

Nick Greenwell, who along with Brian Miller, are partners in the business, said the move gained them much needed space for the growing staff. The new building is twice the size of its downtown location. The other upgrade is there is plenty of parking at the new building.

Including, Greenwell and Miller, the Simplified Tax has an eight-member staff. Carolyn Lieder, Katy Dodson, Evan Runkel, Destiny White and Jerald Nelson complete the accounting staff, while Brenda Revels handles the front desk.

The late Willard Schowalter started the business in the mid-70s and his daughter, Louise Sonday, later took over. Miller bought out Sonday in 2005, and Greenwell became a partner in 2015 after buying out Nelson’s interest in the company.

The biggest part of the business is tax preparation but the Simplified Tax also offers other services, including accounting, bookkeeping and payroll services for small businesses, along with estate and trust assistance.

A few of the staff are enrolled agents, an IRS tax designation allowing them to offer more advanced services, such as acting as power of attorney on a client’s behalf so they can deal directly with the IRS to expedite tax matters.

The business is gearing up for the 2022 tax season and is always taking on new clients, big and small. To set up an appointment, call (608) 269-2633.