Tax & AccountingDone Right.
Personal tax, business tax, bookkeeping, payroll and IRS representation from an IRS Enrolled Agent serving Waukegan and Lake County.
English & Spanish | Servicios en Español
Our Services
Comprehensive tax and accounting services for individuals and businesses.
Individual Tax Preparation
Federal, state, prior-year and amended returns.
Business Tax Preparation
S corporations, partnerships, LLCs and Schedule C.
Bookkeeping
Accurate records and monthly financial reporting.
Payroll
Payroll processing, filings, W-2s and 1099s.
IRS & State Representation
Notices, payment plans, penalty relief and tax problems.
Real Estate & Investment Tax
Rentals, Airbnb, capital gains and depreciation.
Industry experience matters.
We don't just prepare numbers. We understand how your business actually operates.
The people behind Verus
Meet Hugo
IRS Enrolled Agent · BA Finance · Founder
Seventeen years and more than 7,000 returns across Lake County. Most of my clients came from someone they trust saying “call Hugo.”
I'm not a storefront that disappears on April 16th. If a letter shows up in September, I handle it.
- IRS Enrolled Agent. The highest credential the IRS awards. Licensed to represent you before the IRS in any state.
- BA in Finance, University of Wisconsin.
- Bilingual. Every service in English or Spanish, start to finish.
- Local. West Greenwood Avenue in Waukegan, where I live and invest too.
Meet Sammy
Enrolled Agent · Partner · Law Student
Born and raised in Waukegan, Illinois, Sammy Encarnación is a federally licensed Enrolled Agent, licensed barber, and co-owner of Premier Barber Academy. With eight years of experience working for the City of Chicago as a police officer, Sammy has built his career around public service, professional excellence, and a genuine commitment to strengthening his community.
- Federally licensed Enrolled Agent. Authorized to represent taxpayers before the IRS.
- Law student. Currently pursuing his law degree.
- Eight years of public service. Former City of Chicago police officer.
- Entrepreneur. Licensed barber and co-owner of Premier Barber Academy.
Why Verus
Experience you can trust. Service you can feel.
IRS Enrolled Agent
Licensed to represent clients before the IRS in any state.
Year-Round Support
We're here when you need us, not just during tax season.
Bilingual Service
Complete service in English or Spanish, start to finish.
Personal Attention
You work with a professional who knows your situation.
How It Works
A simple and secure process.
Consultation
Tell us what you need. We explain the process, timing and cost.
Secure Document Upload
Upload your documents through our secure TaxDome client portal.
Review & Filing
We prepare your return, review it with you, and file it securely.
Trusted by our clients.
102 Google Reviews
“Hugo & his team are very professional, caring & very detailed in their work.”— Google Review
“Extremely knowledgeable in IRS concepts. He simplified the answers to all my questions.”— Google ReviewRead All Reviews →
Know someone who needs a tax professional?
Give them our number. We'll take it from there.
Receive $25 off your next tax return for every new client you refer.
Send a referral
Fill this in, or just have them mention your name when they call.
- You send us their name and the best way to reach them.
- We reach out within one business day.
- Once they become a client, your $25 credit is applied automatically.
No limit on referrals. Credits apply to preparation fees and cannot be exchanged for cash.
Common questions
What is an Enrolled Agent?
A tax professional licensed directly by the IRS after a three-part examination on federal tax law. It is the highest credential the IRS issues, and it allows us to represent you before the IRS in any state.
I haven't filed in a few years. Can you help?
Yes, and you would not be the first. We pull your IRS transcripts, determine which years are required, and file them in the correct order. Penalties are often smaller than people expect.
I received a letter from the IRS. What now?
Send us a photo of the entire letter, including the notice number in the upper right corner. Most have a deadline, so it should not be set aside. Many are automated and incorrect.
Do I have to come to the office?
No. Upload your documents to our TaxDome portal from your phone and everything can be handled remotely.
¿Hablan español?
Sí. Todo el servicio se puede realizar en español: impuestos, contabilidad, nómina y cartas del IRS.
How much does it cost?
It depends on the return. We quote a flat price up front so there are no surprises.
Let's take care of your taxes.
Whether you're filing an individual return, running a business, managing rental properties, or dealing with the IRS, we're here to help.
English & Spanish | Servicios en Español