After nearly 25 years as a certified public accountant, Giancarlo Pozzi decided to start an income tax-preparation service for those who, at first glance, might not seek out a CPA to handle their IRS forms and schedules.

With ZoomTax, the business he officially started a year ago and hopes to eventually expand statewide, Pozzi seeks to bring a CPA’s expertise and experience to that clientele.

“Many people walk away from tax preparation by non-CPAs without knowing they are entitled to more money,” he said.

The work also can have its rewards for Pozzi and his staff.

One customer for whom ZoomTax found an additional $4,000 in refunds after examining previous years’ tax returns showed her appreciation by dropping off homemade cookies every month for six months, he said.

“I can tell you, if you’re a single mother making $28,000 per year and you found out you were entitled to a $4,000 refund, it’s Christmas in July,” Pozzi said Monday.

This will be the first full tax season for ZoomTax, which he runs out of his CPA business on Southwest Simpson Avenue near Cyber Drive in Bend. ZoomTax started in the middle of last year’s tax season.

Pozzi created the business intending to expand. The Bend ZoomTax will serve as a model, and he hopes to open offices elsewhere in Central Oregon and eventually statewide.

Q: What makes ZoomTax different?

A: My vision for ZoomTax is to be a startup company that really fills a gap, expand it … to multiple offices … and become a statewide company.

Q: What market is ZoomTax aimed at?

A: (We are) serving a market that’s not currently looking at CPAs. CPAs run offices that serve a certain market, not middle- or lower-scale markets. I realized that there’s probably a segment of the market of non-CPA-prepared tax returns that (may not be getting) the best services.

Q: With do-it-yourself income tax software and so much Web-based information, is there a need for ZoomTax?

A: The technology makes it possible for more people to prepare their tax returns. (But) the result is the same. We still see half of the non-CPA tax returns coming into my office in need of amendment and getting a refund.

Q: What brings customers to ZoomTax?

A: The reason why ZoomTax is getting so much attention is at a basic level: We provide the competence of CPAs at a reasonable fee.

Q: You hope to add ZoomTax outlets?

A: Bend is our testing model. We are testing this model to (possibly) expand in Central Oregon and statewide.

Q: Does ZoomTax provide other services that set it apart?

A: The office works around respecting the clients’ needs and the clients’ time. The client has a lot to say about what happens in a tax (return).

Our model is to be in touch with clients as often as possible. As far as our business relationship, our services are really affordable at every level of tax preparation (usually starting at around $200).

Q: Didn’t Congress simplify the income tax system in 1986, the year the EZ form was added?

A: There is nothing simple about the economy of the United States of America. To expect a simple tax code is an oversimplification of who we are.

The basics

What: ZoomTax

Where: 963 S.W. Simpson Ave., Suite 100, Bend

Employees: Three

Phone: 541-385-9666

Web site: www.myzoomtax.com