The tax landscape presents a constant challenge for both business owners and independent tax professionals. Complex regulations, shifting codes, and the pressure of dealing with the IRS create significant hurdles. Many individuals treat tax preparation as a seasonal task rather than a year-round strategy, leaving money on the table and risking compliance issues. At the same time, new tax professionals often struggle to build a stable client base and lack the formal training required to scale their operations.
ATM TaxPro Solutions & Academy steps in to solve both problems. Founded by CEO Eboni Lambert-Coons, the firm offers comprehensive tax resolution and planning while also running an educational academy to train the next generation of tax experts. Eboni built her firm from the ground up after relocating to Atlanta, turning a basic service into a thriving, full-service operation. We spoke with Eboni to learn how ATM TaxPro Solutions equips clients and aspiring tax professionals for long-term financial success.
Q: What challenges do people face when they try to handle back taxes and IRS audits on their own?
Eboni Lambert-Coons: The biggest challenge is that most people do not understand what the IRS is actually asking for or what options are available to them. When people receive an IRS letter, fear normally kicks in first. They may ignore it, respond incorrectly, or agree to something without understanding the long term impact. With back taxes, there are different resolution options depending on the taxpayer’s financial situation, but you have to know how to properly evaluate the case. Audits are also very documentation driven. Having someone who understands the process, knows what records are needed, and can communicate with the IRS can make a major difference in the outcome.
Q: You moved from Detroit to Atlanta and built ATM TaxPro Solutions from scratch. How did that experience shape the way you run your firm today?
Eboni Lambert-Coons: Starting over in a new state taught me how important relationships, consistency, and reputation are in business. I did not come to Atlanta with an established client base, so I had to build trust one client at a time. I learned very quickly that people remember how you treat them and how you make them feel during stressful financial situations. That is still a major part of how I run my firm today. I also learned not to depend on tax season alone. I wanted to build something that could serve clients throughout the year and continue growing even when filing season was over. That experience made me very intentional about creating multiple services, developing my team, educating my clients, and building systems that allow the business to grow beyond just me.
Q: Your firm places a heavy emphasis on strategic tax planning rather than just annual preparation. Why is year-round planning so critical for individuals and small businesses?
Eboni Lambert-Coons: By the time tax season comes, the year is already over and many of the opportunities to make meaningful changes are gone. Tax planning gives us the opportunity to look at what is happening throughout the year and make decisions before December 31. For business owners especially, we can review income, expenses, payroll, estimated taxes, entity structure, retirement options, and other strategies that may legally reduce their tax liability. Planning also helps prevent surprises. My goal is not just to tell someone what they owe after the fact. I want my clients to understand their numbers, know what to expect, and make better financial decisions throughout the year.
Q: In addition to working directly with clients, you launched an academy for aspiring tax professionals. What specific skills do you focus on in your training programs?
Eboni Lambert-Coons: I focus on teaching people how to become well rounded tax professionals, not just how to enter numbers into tax software. We cover tax law, due diligence, interviewing clients, understanding tax documents, software training, compliance, client communication, ethics, and how to properly research situations when you do not immediately know the answer. I also teach the business side because being good at preparing returns does not automatically mean you know how to run a profitable tax company. We discuss marketing, client retention, pricing, systems, building a team, expanding services, and creating income outside of tax season. I want the people I train to understand both the tax side and the business side so they can build something sustainable.
Q: How does proper software and technology integration change the daily operations of a modern tax business?
Eboni Lambert-Coons: Technology can completely change how efficiently a tax business operates. The right systems allow you to manage client documents, appointments, communication, signatures, payments, follow ups, and workflow without everything depending on one person. It also gives clients a better experience because they can securely upload documents, receive updates, and complete parts of the process without always having to come into an office. For the business owner, automation helps reduce repetitive work and gives the team clear processes to follow. Technology should not replace good customer service, but it should make it easier to provide consistent service while allowing the company to handle more clients and continue growing.
Q: What advice do you have for someone who wants to turn a seasonal tax operation into a full-time, year-round business?
Eboni Lambert-Coons: First, stop thinking of yourself as someone who only prepares tax returns. Your clients have financial and business needs all year. Look at what they are already asking you for and build services around those needs. That may include tax planning, tax resolution, bookkeeping, payroll, business formation, consulting, or other services that fit your knowledge and experience. You also have to continue educating yourself because tax laws and business needs are always changing. Build systems, follow up with your clients after tax season, market consistently, and do not disappear from May until January. The goal is to become a trusted resource that clients can come to throughout the year. Once you create that kind of relationship, you are no longer operating a seasonal tax business. You are building a full service financial and tax company.
Resolving tax issues and building a profitable business both require a clear strategy and expert guidance. Eboni Lambert-Coons demonstrates that success in the tax industry relies on more than just filing returns once a year. By combining direct client services with structured education, ATM TaxPro Solutions & Academy addresses the core needs of both taxpayers and tax professionals.
The demand for knowledgeable tax advisors will only increase as financial regulations grow more complex. Professionals who invest in the right training and software will stand out in the market. Firms like ATM TaxPro Solutions & Academy play a vital role in setting the standard for reliable, year-round tax management.