Alaniz-Salinas Accounting & Tax Services

It started with an Idea

My love for taxes started as an internal idea. Internal because taxes was not my favorite subject, I did not understand a lot of it and I did not see myself doing that as a profession.

I graduated from UTPA in 2005 with a Bachelors in Accounting. Right after graduation, I came across a bookkeeping job in Mission. Let me tell you that my dream job was not to stay in the valley. I dreamed of an ocean view office, with a big desk and a personal secretary. In my dream, I did not know what I did, all I did know was that I helped many people. I have always found the helping someone else makes me happy. Anyway, well so much for my dream job. I was a bookkeeping place for couple of months. After that I went to another bookkeeping job and was there for couple of years. They watched my 2 daughters grow up. That job brought experience, both work and life, and especially great friends. I was a bookkeeper, waitress, assistant manager, receptionist, sales. I was comfortable and did not see life go by.

After that job, I was at home thinking now what. Now what do I do???? If you know me you know I can’t be in one place and am always finding new things to tackle. I remember that one university professor once said “People can take away everything from you except your education”. That saying has gone with me throughout life. I remember I was at my mom’s house and it was tax season. She had been mentioning she needed to go to Irma’s and get her taxes done. That’s when the INTERNAL idea came. I said “mom let me do your taxes,but if they come back its not my fault”, lol. My mom has always and I mean always trusted me and my judgment. So she agreed. Now why do I say Internal idea, because in my mind, I was only going to do my parents and my income tax return. After it was accepted by the IRS, that to my mom meant “Si sabes como hacerlo, ya ves”. You know how to do it you see. I tried to explain to her that that did not mean that but you will never beat my mom. The next 2 days went by and then I start getting calls that my family wanted to get their tax return done, my mom told them I did taxes. Yup that was the end of Internal Idea. As an accountant and bookkeeper I had knowledge of some tax things. That year was a breeze. It was family and for the record they all received their tax refunds and were very happy. The following year I decided to expand my knowledge and took some courses and worked at a tax agency. I worked at 3 different places that year. My house for my family and their friends, tax agency and my part time job as a bookkeeper. That year was a success. I measure success by a family’s content and experience and when they get there refund in the bank or pay little to none in taxes. That was about 6 years ago. Fast forwarding to today, I now have the privilege to work on my family’s Tax Returns, their friends tax return, and their friends friends returns and so on. Like any business, some come back others don’t but to all, I always try to help as much as possible. I make sure that I stay up to date on yearly changes so I can provide the best service possible. I tell my clients that I am that tax professional that checks on the clients direct deposit constantly and when I see the change on the status bar to “expect deposit on “ , I text my clients at that time , 1 am, 2 am. I get so excited like if it were my money but I think its the excitement to be able to help people. We all need money for different things. Some buy their first car, other a down payment for a house, others to get out of debt and start fresh, other to go shopping and many others. That’s what makes me happy. That’s why I love tax season and taxes, it gives me the opportunity to help others reach some type of goal. Every year I come across different cases that have allowed me to grow and I appreciate them. Like I mentioned, I get my annual training and each year learn more to bring the best to my clients. 6 years later, I have my office, I am in the process of getting a part time helper and hoping for another great tax season and I am looking for new clients who need bookkeeping and or payroll services. Many people have their tax professional already, and all I say is if you are happy then stay. My family and close friends are given that advice also. But if at anytime they feel they want a change, everyone is welcomed. I thank my Heavenly father for all his goodness and favor. Without him I’d be nothing and without his love and mercy I’d be lost.