Tax preparation & planning
Individual, partnership, S-Corp, C-Corp, trust, estate, exempt, and gift returns — plus multi-state and international filings, with planning tailored to your goals.
Palo Alto · Peninsula · Remote-friendly
A trusted tax accountant for individuals and growing businesses.
George J. Laning, CPA helps self-employed professionals, real estate investors and developers, startups, and businesses with fewer than 100 employees — from straightforward filings to complex multi-state and sales-tax work.
Remote tax services · In-person by appointment · CPA · Enrolled Agent · MSRE · MBA
Credentials
- CPA Certified Public Accountant
- EA Enrolled Agent
- MSRE Master of Science in Real Estate
- MBA Master of Business Administration
Services
Tax and accounting support from simple to complex.
Whether you need a clean annual filing or help remediating sales-tax exposure, George focuses on high-quality, affordable work for individuals and small-to-medium businesses.
Sales tax remediation
Post-Wayfair nexus studies, voluntary disclosure agreements, state licensing, and software setup so remote sellers can collect, remit, and report with confidence.
Tax issues & notices
Hands-on help with unfiled returns and IRS or state notices — including transcripts, direct contact, and written responses.
Fiduciary & estate returns
Form 1041 preparation for trusts and estates, simplifying a complex filing so executors and trustees stay compliant.
Bookkeeping & tax accounting
Find and correct accounting errors, prepare adjusting entries, and reduce audit risk before they become costly problems.
New business ventures
Guidance on entity choice — S-Corp, C-Corp, LLC, LLP, or sole proprietorship — to protect assets while minimizing tax and risk.
Why clients stay
A principal-led practice, not a processing mill.
George works directly with individuals, self-employed professionals, real estate clients, startups, and businesses with fewer than 100 employees — matching the approach to each tax goal.
Your success is the measure
From relatively simple returns to highly complex scenarios, the work is built around clarity, quality, and affordability — not one-size-fits-all packages.
Real estate & multi-state depth
Experience with developers, investors, and multi-state or international reporting — plus sales-tax remediation after Wayfair when nexus gets messy.
Remote-ready, appointment-friendly
Most tax work happens remotely. When you prefer to meet in person, appointments are available at the Palo Alto office.
How it works
A clear path from first call to filing.
- 01
Book a consultation
Choose a service on the appointments calendar, pick an opening, and share a short note about what you need.
- 02
Clarify the work
Whether it is annual preparation, a notice, sales-tax nexus, or a new entity, George scopes the engagement before the heavy lifting begins.
- 03
Prepare & plan
Returns, remediation, bookkeeping corrections, or planning recommendations — delivered with clear communication along the way.
- 04
File & follow through
From IRS notices to ongoing compliance monitoring, the goal is resolution you can sleep on — not a dangling loose end.
Client voices
What clients say about working with George.
“Year after year, George's excellent accounting services make tax-filings painless for my company, and my wife and me. I am grateful for his experience, skill and professionalism!”
“We have been clients of George, for three years, and his expertise in tax preparation and bookkeeping has been invaluable to our business. He handles our complex financial needs with professionalism, ensuring meticulous preparation and prompt resolution of any issues.”
“I have worked with George for years, and he's been fantastic! If you are looking for professionalism, expertise, and integrity, I would highly recommend him.”
About George
CPA, Enrolled Agent, and advisor to ambitious goals.
George Laning is a Certified Public Accountant, an Enrolled Agent, a Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE), and an MBA. He works with small-to-medium businesses, high-net-worth clients, and real estate professionals and investors to provide tax preparation and related services.
His expertise is paired with a genuine passion to help people — individuals, businesses, and real estate professionals — achieve and surpass ambitious goals. Away from the desk he is an avid runner, surfer, boating enthusiast, and traveler; a former Palo Alto High School track and wrestling captain and two-time Santa Clara Valley Athletic League wrestling champion.
- CPA & Enrolled Agent
- MSRE & MBA
- Real estate specialty
- Palo Alto roots
Ready when you are
Schedule a consultation with George J. Laning, CPA.
Book online through the appointments calendar, or call the Palo Alto office. Remote engagements welcome; in-person meetings available by appointment.
FAQ
Straight answers before you book.
A few of the questions new clients ask most often. Prefer to talk it through? Call or book an appointment.
Who does George J. Laning, CPA typically work with?
Individuals and businesses — with a focus on individual tax returns, self-employed professionals, real estate developers and investors, start-up businesses, and businesses with fewer than 100 employees.
Do you offer remote tax services?
Yes. Remote tax services are available, with the option to meet in person by appointment at the Palo Alto office.
How do I book an appointment?
Use the appointments page to select a service, choose a calendar opening, and enter your information. You can also call the office or send an email.
What tax returns can you prepare?
Individuals (Form 1040), partnerships and LLCs (Form 1065), S-Corps (Form 1120-S), C-Corps (Form 1120), trusts and estates (Form 1041), exempt organizations (Form 990), and gift tax returns (Form 709), including multi-state and international situations.
Can you help with sales tax after the Wayfair decision?
Yes. Services include state tax nexus studies, sales tax remediation, voluntary disclosure agreements, state sales tax license setup, sales tax software setup and integration, and ongoing compliance monitoring.
Where is the office?
The office is at 3000 El Camino Real, Building 4, Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA 94306.
Contact
Get in touch with the Palo Alto office.
Ready to get started? Book an appointment online, call, or email. Remote tax services are available, with the option to meet in person by appointment.
Visit 3000 El Camino Real, Building 4, Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Call (650) 416-5667
Email george@gjlcpa.com
Hours
- Mon–Fri: Remote & by appointment
- In-person: By appointment
Fax (650) 440-4065
Serving Palo Alto · Silicon Valley · San Francisco Peninsula · California (remote)
Prefer the calendar?
Use the appointments calendar to select a service, choose an opening, and send your details.
Open appointmentsOffice: 3000 El Camino Real, Building 4, Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA 94306