COVID-19 Announcement

January 20 2022 Update

Safety Measures continue in 2022

As a new tax season rolls out, we again face concerns about the spread of COVID-19 in our local community. Gulf Coast Accounting Services will be taking reasonable safety measures to protect clients and staff including extra sanitizing in the office and the utilization of face coverings. We will be once again be limiting traffic in both the Pace and Destin offices by scheduling remote appointments and restricting walk-in availability when possible. We ask for your continued patience and participation as we work to promote a healthy workplace. If you do not have a prior appointment, we encourage you to call before visiting our offices.

Clients who wish to submit information may do so in the following ways:

1. Electronically via SecureFilePro, our client portal provider (recommended). You can find more information about the SecureFilePro portal by clicking here. If you submit information electronically, please also be sure to complete the New Client Info Packet or Returning Client Info Packet.

2. Via fax at (850) 463-5947 (Pace office) or (850) 460-8348 (Destin office). Tax clients who choose this method of delivery must also complete the New Client Info Packet or Returning Client Info Packet.

3. Via mail. Our Pace office address is as follows: 4493 Woodbine Road, Pace, FL 32571. Our Destin office address is as follows: 4458 Legendary Drive, Suite 240, Destin, FL 32541. If you submit information by mail, please also be sure to complete the New Client Info Packet or Returning Client Info Packet.

4. Via dropbox at our Pace location. The dropbox is located at the back door of the office building. Tax clients who choose this method of delivery must also complete the New Client Info Packet or Returning Client Info Packet.

5. If you need to speak with someone in person regarding your tax documents, you may contact our offices to schedule an appointment in Pace or Destin. Please complete the New Client Info Packet or Returning Client Info Packet ahead of your appointment if possible; if you plan to complete this paperwork in our office, we ask that you arrive at least 15 minutes early.

August 4 2021 Update

taking precautons against delta variant

As the Delta variant continues to impact our local area, Gulf Coast Accounting Services will resume COVID-19 safety measures to protect vulnerable members of our staff. We will be limiting traffic in both the Pace and Destin offices by scheduling remote appointments and restricting walk-in availability. If you do not have a prior appointment, please call before visiting our offices. Those clients who do enter our offices for a short time will be asked to wear a face covering.

Clients who wish to submit information may do so in the following ways:

1. Electronically via SecureFilePro, our client portal provider (recommended). All former clients were emailed regarding this portal at the beginning of tax season. You can find more information about the SecureFilePro portal by clicking here.

2. Via fax at (850) 463-5947 (Pace office) or (850) 460-8348 (Destin office). Tax clients who choose this method of delivery must also complete a Client Information Packet electronically. Click here to access the packet if you are a new client. Click here for a returning client packet if we have previously completed a return for you.

3. Via mail. Our Pace office address is as follows: 4493 Woodbine Road, Pace, FL 32571. Our Destin office address is as follows: 4507 Furling Lane, Suite 207, Destin, FL 32541. Tax clients who choose this method of delivery must also complete a Client Information Packet electronically. Click here to access the packet if you are a new client. Click here for a returning client packet if we have previously completed a return for you.

4. Via dropbox at our Pace location. The dropbox is located at the back door of the office building. Tax clients who choose this method of delivery must also complete a Client Information Packet electronically. Click here to access the packet if you are a new client. Click here for a returning client packet if we have previously completed a return for you.

January 14 2021 Update

2021 covid procedures

Though a new year has been ushered in, the COVID-19 pandemic remains a concern in our area. For the safety of staff and clients, Gulf Coast Accounting Services will continue to promote face coverings and social distancing at our offices. At this time, our offices may be entered by appointment only. We are encouraging clients to utilize remote appointments via Zoom or phone whenever possible. Clients who wish to send information may do so in the following ways:

1. Electronically via SecureFilePro, our client portal provider (recommended). All former clients were emailed regarding this portal at the beginning of tax season. You can find more information about the SecureFilePro portal at by clicking here.

2. Via fax at (850) 463-5947 (Pace office) or (850) 460-8348 (Destin office). Clients who choose this method of delivery should download this document* to complete and include with their information.

3. Via mail. Our Pace office address is as follows: 4493 Woodbine Road, Pace, FL 32571. Our Destin office address is as follows: 4507 Furling Lane, Suite 207, Destin, FL 32541. Clients who choose this method of delivery should download this document* to complete and include with their information.

4. Via dropbox at our Pace location (dropbox for Destin clients coming soon). The dropbox is located at the back door of our Pace office. Clients who choose this method of delivery should download this document* to complete and include with their information.

Once we receive your information and complete your return, we will contact you by phone to offer further instructions on how to review your return, pay your invoice, and sign necessary documents.

Please do not hesitate to contact us via phone or email with questions and concerns. We also recommend that you follow Gulf Coast Accounting Services on social media for further updates.

November 18 2020 Update

offices temporarily closed for quarantine

Unfortunately, a Gulf Coast Accounting employees tested positive for COVID-19 this morning. For the health of our staff and clients, our offices will be temporarily closed for quarantine and testing purposes. We will re-open as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime, we can still check emails and complete some tasks from home, so please reach out via e-mail if you need assistance.

June 26 2020 Update

face coverings continued to be required in our pace and destin offices

In addition to upholding stringent cleaning and disinfection practices in our offices, all staff members will wear masks for client interactions. We respectfully request that guests in our office do the same.

April 30 2020 Update

"SAFE. SMART. STEP-BY-STEP, PLAN FOR FLORIDA’S RECOVERY" ORDER ANNOUNCEMENT

Governor Ron DeSantis has announced Phase I of his "Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan to Re-Open Florida" initiative. In response to this order, both Pace and Destin offices of Gulf Coast Accounting Services will open to the public on Monday, May 4, on a limited basis. In order to comply with the governor's recommendations on building capacity and mask usage, Gulf Coast Accounting Services will implement the following guidelines for clients:

• Clients should call before visiting our offices. In an effort to follow the governor's 25% capacity requirement, we will be strictly limiting the number of clients allowed in the office at any one time. We will also be taking extra steps to ensure that common areas are disinfected between clients. As such, we will not be able to accept unexpected visitors during this phase of the plan. The dropbox will remain open 24 hours a day at the Pace location for those who simply need to drop off information.

• Clients should not bring children or other guests to our offices. In order to effectively limit the number of clients in the building, we can only accommodate guests who have direct business with Gulf Coast Accounting Services, such as those who need to sign paperwork.

• Clients should not expect immediate appointment availability. We will be spacing out scheduled appointments to the best of our availability.

• Clients are encouraged to wear face masks. Governor DeSantis' guidelines promote the continued use of protective gear. Our staff will be wearing face masks as a precautionary measure, and we invite you to do the same.

• Clients who prefer contactless appointments will still be afforded that option. If you are not comfortable meeting in a face-to-face capacity at this time, rest assured that we will happily accommodate remote interactions as needed.

We will continue to assess this situation as it unfolds, following the official state guidelines whenever possible. As always, the health and safety of our clients and staff is our top priority. Please contact our offices if you have any questions. Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding.

April 13 2020 Update

managing partner phillip polk talks covid-19 relief on coffee and hustle podcast

April 3 2020 Update

We understand that this is a difficult time for many people in our community. In an effort to support our clients, we are offering the following programs:

𝐆𝐮𝐥𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐓𝐚𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

We are offering a new payment option for taxpayers in need. Eligible clients now have the option to withhold tax preparation fees from their tax refund rather than paying for services up front. Please contact our Pace or Destin offices if you are interested in utilizing this service.

𝐆𝐮𝐥𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

We can assist small business owners in filing for the following federal and local aid programs:

• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans

• Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan

• Economic Injury Disaster Loans & Emergency Economic Injury Grants

• Northwest Florida Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant

• Santa Rosa County Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant

• Escambia County Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant

If you are interested in application assistance for these programs, please contact Carla Polk at carlap@gulfcoastaccounting.com or call our Destin office at (850) 460-2887.

April 2 2020 Update

Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a shelter in place order for the state of Florida. Gulf Coast Accounting Services does meet the criteria for essential businesses under this order, and thus we will continue to serve our clients IN A REMOTE CAPACITY.

Most Gulf Coast Accounting Services employees will be working from home during this time. Clients should not expect to enter our offices before the “Safer at Home” order expires. Though our offices will be closed to the public, we will continue to provide tax, payroll, and accounting services without interruption.

Please see instructions posted below to send information.

March 18 2020 Announcement

In an effort to protect clients and staff, both offices of Gulf Coast Accounting Services will be closed to the public effective immediately.

We will continue to provide all services to our clients as we enact these precautions, but only in a remote capacity. Clients who wish to send information may do so in the following ways:

1. Electronically via SecureFilePro, our client portal provider (recommended). All former clients were emailed regarding this portal at the beginning of tax season. You can find more information about the SecureFilePro portal at by clicking here.

2. Via fax at (850) 463-5947 (Pace office) or (850) 460-8348 (Destin office). Clients who choose this method of delivery should download this document* to complete and include with their information.

3. Via mail. Our Pace office address is as follows: 4493 Woodbine Road, Pace, FL 32571. Our Destin office address is as follows: 4507 Furling Lane, Suite 207, Destin, FL 32541. Clients who choose this method of delivery should download this document* to complete and include with their information.

4. Via dropbox at our Pace location (dropbox for Destin clients coming soon). The dropbox is located at the back door of our Pace office. Clients who choose this method of delivery should visit https://www.gulfcoastaccounting.com/clients and download the PDF entitled “Blank Tax Organizer for New Clients.” This document should be completed and included with your information.

Once we receive your information and complete your return, we will contact you by phone to offer further instructions on how to review your return, pay your invoice, and sign necessary documents.

Please do not hesitate to contact us via phone or email with questions and concerns. We also recommend that you follow Gulf Coast Accounting Services on social media for further updates.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this situation. We know this is an uncertain time, and we intend to support our clients and our community to the best of our ability. Thank you for your continued trust in Gulf Coast Accounting Services, and we look forward to welcoming you back to the office.

*Please view instructions on first page before completing. Also note that the name for this blank organizer is “Sample,” and that the social security number is 100-00-0000. Please disregard these placeholders and replace them with your information where possible.