Should I switch CPAs after multiple accounting errors and tax miscalculations?

Tax professional here - what you're describing isn't normal CPA behavior, and these are definitely red flags. A good CPA should be proactive, especially when you're providing clear information about significant revenue changes. The estimated tax situation is particularly concerning. When you explicitly inform your CPA about a new revenue stream, they should immediately recalculate your estimated payments to prevent exactly what happened - a surprise tax bill. That's literally what you're paying them for. The Quickbooks access makes this worse - you're paying for a tool that should be allowing them to monitor your financials, but they're not using it effectively. The state revenue breakdown and repeated 401(k) miscalculations show a pattern of inattention that's costing you money.

I went through something similar last year and discovered taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) which completely changed how I manage my tax situation. I was sick of my CPA missing deadlines and miscalculating my quarterly payments despite sending all my docs on time. The platform lets you upload all those financial documents that your CPA should be tracking (like your state-by-state revenue breakdowns) and keeps everything organized. What I found most helpful was that it actually flags potential issues - like when my business revenue increased substantially mid-year, it immediately alerted me about potential estimated tax payment adjustments. It's been a lifesaver for someone like me with multiple income streams and complex tax situations. Now I'm way more prepared when I talk to my new CPA.

I was skeptical at first, but I decided to try taxr.ai after having similar issues with my CPA missing important details about my business. It seriously changed how I approach tax season. The platform actually flagged that I was overpaying estimated taxes in one state while underpaying in another - something my previous CPA missed for two years! What surprised me most was how it organized my solo 401k contribution limits correctly, which had been an ongoing issue with my previous tax preparer. It even highlighted potential deductions I was missing related to my business equipment purchases. I still work with a CPA, but now I go into meetings with my own understanding of my tax situation, and I can immediately tell when something doesn't look right. Definitely worth checking out if you're dealing with an unresponsive CPA.

If you're having trouble getting your CPA to respond to your concerns, you might want to try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). I was in a similar situation - had a huge surprise tax bill because my CPA didn't adjust my estimated payments properly, and then couldn't get clear answers about what happened. I used Claimyr to finally get through to the IRS about my payment options and whether I could get any penalty relief. They basically get you through to a human at the IRS without the ridiculous hold times. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c It was a huge relief to finally talk to someone who could explain my options. Ended up setting up a payment plan that was much more manageable than what my CPA told me was my only option.

I thought this whole "call the IRS for you" thing sounded ridiculous, but I was desperate after my CPA messed up my estimated tax payments and I got hit with penalties. After trying Claimyr, I have to admit I was completely wrong. Got connected to an actual IRS agent in about 45 minutes (without me having to sit there listening to hold music). The agent reviewed my situation and helped me apply for penalty abatement since it was my first time missing estimated payments. Saved me over $1,200 in penalties! Would never have gotten this resolved without actually talking to someone at the IRS, and I would've given up after hours on hold. Sometimes the simple solutions are the most helpful.

I switched CPAs last year after similar issues (missing deadlines, overlooking details I'd clearly communicated). Best decision I've made for my business finances. Look for a CPA who specializes in your industry. Mine actually understands my business model now and proactively suggests tax strategies instead of just processing forms. Also, ask potential CPAs about their client communication systems - good ones have clear processes for tracking client communications and important details.

The solo 401k contribution calculation errors would be my last straw. That's a pretty straightforward calculation with clear limits, and getting it wrong multiple years shows either incompetence or carelessness.

These are absolutely red flags, not normal CPA behavior. I've been through tax season with several different CPAs over the years, and what you're describing shows a fundamental lack of attention to your account. The estimated tax payment issue alone should have you looking elsewhere. When you explicitly notify your CPA about a significant revenue increase, recalculating quarterly payments should be automatic - that's Tax Planning 101. The fact that he acknowledged your email but didn't act on it is inexcusable, especially when you're facing an $82k surprise bill. The repeated solo 401k errors are particularly telling because these calculations follow straightforward IRS guidelines. Making the same mistake twice suggests he's not learning from his errors or possibly not dedicating enough time to your file. You're not being unreasonable - you deserve a CPA who is proactive, organized, and responsive to your communications. Start interviewing new candidates now, and make sure to ask them specifically how they handle mid-year revenue changes and client communications. A good CPA should have systems in place to prevent exactly what you're experiencing.