Best Tax Preparers in the Columbia River Gorge (2026)

How we chose

• Local office: each practice names an office in a Gorge community on its own website: The Dalles, Hood River, White Salmon, Bingen or Goldendale.
• Services: each one lists tax preparation or tax services on its own site.
• Credential: where a site states a credential (Enrolled Agent, CPA, Oregon Licensed Tax Consultant), we repeat it in the site’s own words. Where a site states none, we say so.

Oregon side, Washington side

On the Oregon side, anyone preparing personal income tax returns for pay must be licensed or registered with the Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners unless they are exempt, as CPAs and attorneys are. Since 5 June 2026, an Enrolled Agent can register with the Board as a Registered Enrolled Agent. Oregon taxes personal income: residents above the filing threshold file an Oregon return, and nonresidents file one for income from Oregon sources.

Washington-side firms work under Washington rules. The Washington Department of Revenue says the state does not currently have an individual income tax; it also says a new 9.9% income tax on annual adjusted gross income above $1 million takes effect 1 January 2028, with the first returns due in April 2029. Most businesses in Washington owe the business and occupation (B&O) tax instead, which is a tax on gross receipts, so expenses are not deducted from it. A preparer who works on both sides of the river is dealing with two different systems, and it is worth asking any preparer which side they handle day to day. For households that live in one state and earn in the other, see multi-state returns.

1. Heather’s Tax Service & More

Our office in The Dalles is open by appointment all year and serves the Columbia River Gorge, Wasco and Hood River counties, and SW Washington. Heather Perkins, Licensed Tax Consultant# 35746-C, is also an Enrolled Agent (00160070-EA) with unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS, and has spent more than a decade preparing individual and business returns. Pam Wagner, Licensed Tax Preparer# 1924349-P, prepares individual, small business, farm and rental returns. Katie Wells has more than 25 years of bookkeeping and payroll work.

• Both states: personal returns filed as federal and Oregon, or federal and Washington, and multi-state returns for cross-river households.
• Services: tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll, tax planning, IRS representation and notary.
• Starting prices: $285 for a W-2-only return, $385 for more than W-2s, $525 with Schedule C, E or F. Starting points, not quotes; see pricing.
• First step: a free 15-minute introductory call about your situation and fit, with no tax advice on that call. A second office in Clackamas, and remote service across the United States.

2. A1 Tax Service LLC

Based in The Dalles, Oregon. Its website says: "The owner, Aaron Anderson, is our Licensed Tax Consultant with the State of Oregon", and adds that he is an Enrolled Agent. It lists income tax preparation and tax consulting. Website: a1taxservice.yourwebsitespace.com.

3. Atlas Solutions, LLC

Based in Bingen, Washington, with a Hood River mailing address. Its website describes its work as "Taking the Heavy lifting out of tax, accounting and payroll services" and lists tax, accounting and payroll services. We did not find a professional credential stated on the pages we checked. Website: atlas-tax.com.

4. Herman & Associates CPAs PC

Based in White Salmon, Washington. A CPA firm by its own name, it says on its website: "We are more than just your accountant, we are your competitive edge." It lists tax preparation and planning, 1099 preparation, small business accounting and QuickBooks assistance. Website: herman-associates.com.

5. Hoffman and Company, CPA, LLC

Based in Goldendale, Washington. A CPA firm by its own name, its website lists individual and business tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll, IRS representation, and retirement and estate planning. Website: hoffman.cpa.

6. Jeff Nichols, CPA

Based in The Dalles, Oregon. Its website says: "Located in The Dalles, Oregon, Jeff Nichols, CPA wants to meet with you!" It lists tax preparation and consulting, accounting, and bookkeeping and payroll. Website: jeffnicholscpa.com.

7. Middle Mountain Tax Planning

Based in downtown Hood River, Oregon, and also named Middle Mountain Tax Services on its site. Its website describes "a team of licensed Enrolled Agents" and says: "With our main office located in beautiful downtown Hood River, we provide Tax Planning, Representation and Tax Preparation services throughout Oregon, Washington and California." It lists tax preparation, tax planning, and IRS representation and audit support. Website: middlemtntax.com.

Before you choose

• Match the preparer to your states. If you live in Washington and work in Oregon, or the other way round, ask whether the preparer files for both states regularly.
• Check the credential. Oregon licenses can be checked with the Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners Licensee Lookup, and Enrolled Agents with the IRS verification tool.
• Ask about the rest of the year. Letters from the IRS and state agencies arrive in every month. Ask who handles them after 15 April.
• Gather documents early. The tax document checklist covers what to bring, and the tax deadline calendar has the 2027 dates.