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Small business tax preparer: Cynthia Merchant Cynthia

Available Virtually
21 years experience
Senior Tax Analyst
Small Business Certified

With 21 years of experience as an H&R Block tax pro, Cynthia enjoys working with clients to get the most from their taxes and reach their tax-related financial goals. Like all H&R Block tax pros, Cynthia stays sharp with an average of 32+ hours of training per year and is genuinely committed to getting you every dollar you deserve. Cynthia specializes in clergy, block advisors small business certified

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Tax offices Cynthia works in

Select the office you’d like to make an appointment at:

5000 W Empire Mall ∣ Sioux Falls, SD

605-361-6180

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Cynthia can help with:

Clergy

Clergy have dual tax status as both employees and self-employed individuals. Since a church does not withhold taxes, clergy are responsible for paying taxes as self-employed people.
Block Advisors Small Business Certified

Proprietorships, C corps, and S corps all file yearly taxes, but the forms used to file depend on the way the business is set up.

Entity Formation Tax Savings: Potential savings based on estimated self-employment tax savings of sole proprietor (Schedule C) users with over $40,000 in profit in 2023 by taking an S Corp election and filing in 2024, net of salary payments and payroll taxes. Election must generally be made by the due date of the return for the year prior to the year the S Corp election is to take place. Savings requires payment of a reasonable salary. Other requirements apply, and additional fees like tax preparation and payroll services are not included. Overall tax savings will vary based on your circumstances. All tax situations are different. Taxes are only one consideration in determining whether to form a business. You may want to seek the advice of an attorney to evaluate all of the relevant considerations. Block Advisors Business Formation Products and Services provide automated online tools that you can use to help meet your business formation needs and are not tailored to your particular situation. See our FAQs for more information.
Business Tax Audit Support: See Terms and Conditions for details. H&R Block does not provide legal representation. Business tax audit support does not include reimbursement of any taxes, penalties, or interest imposed by tax authorities.
Tax Subscriptions: With our Tax Subscriptions, you may prepay the fee for tax preparation of your 2023 federal tax return(s) to be prepared in 2024. The Tax Subscription locks in that fee and includes additional products and/or services, such as Peace of Mind® (only available on federal 1040 returns) and/or Business Tax Audit Support related to the 2023 federal tax return(s) as well as estimated quarterly tax payment services. Tax Subscription pricing is independent of, and may be higher than, our standard pricing. Fees are non-refundable except within the first 30 days following your purchase. Cumulative monthly pay options are higher than corresponding pay in full options. Additional terms and conditions apply. Available at participating locations.
MyCorporation®: MyCorporation® is solely responsible for the services it provides to you, and you are responsible for setting up a separate account with MyCorporation and completing the incorporation documents. Block Advisors, a part of H&R Block, does not assist in preparing or filing incorporation documents. The choice of entity for a small business is an important decision, and financial calculations are only some of many factors to consider. The information on this site is not intended to be legal advice or specific to any situation. We recommend that you seek the advice of an attorney about the implications of entity selection. Neither MyCorporation nor Block Advisors provides legal advice.
Not Legal Advice: We do not provide legal advice. The choice of entity for a small business is an important decision, and taxes and other financial considerations are only some of many factors to consider. The information on this site is not intended to be legal advice or specific to any situation. We recommend that you seek the advice of an attorney about the implications of entity selection.
Schedule C Tax Savings: Up to 30% savings reflects average savings compared to a typical accountant or CPA based on national average fees for Federal Form 1040 plus Schedule C and one state filing in latest available 2020 survey conducted by the National Society of Accountants. All tax situations are different. Pricing will vary based on individual circumstances.
Bookkeeping Savings: Comparison based on national average of accountant hourly fees in 2020 for “QuickBooks or bookkeeping advisory services” ($109) compared to our full-service bookkeeping hourly rate ($50). Data based on a 2020 survey conducted by the National Society of Accountants. Prices may vary.
100% Accuracy Guarantee (Bookkeeping): If H&R Block makes an error in your bookkeeping that requires a reopening of your books for any month, we will correct the error for the month the error occurred at no additional charge. Limitations apply. See blockadvisors.com/guarantees for complete details.
Entity Tax Savings: Up to 50% savings reflects average savings compared to a typical accountant or CPA based on national average fees for Federal Form 1065, 1120, and 1120S in latest available 2020 survey conducted by the National Society of Accountants. All tax situations are different. Pricing will vary based on individual circumstances.
Year-Round Tax Planning Services: Our Year-Round Tax Planning services cover the following income tax strategy and planning services that you may select for each of three one-on-one sessions: Business check-up, financial review, estimated quarterly tax payment review, expense tracking and recordkeeping education and advice, income tax filing readiness review, and income tax tips and education relating to accounting methods, cost of goods sold, tax deductions, withholdings, sales tax, and Form 1099. Additional terms and conditions apply. We are not attorneys or a law firm and we do not provide legal advice or legal services, nor do we provide financial advice or investment recommendations, as part of our Year-Round Tax Planning services. You should consult an attorney and/or your own financial and investment advisors where appropriate.
Bookkeeping Advisors, Accounts and Pricing: Block Advisors and H&R Block services and pricing are available virtually and at participating locations. Additional terms and conditions apply.

Your Block Advisors or H&R Block accountant may not be a licensed accountant.
Corporate Transparency Act: See https://www.federalregister.gov/ for information on businesses impacted by CTA.
Not Legal Advice: We are not a law firm or attorneys and our advice, products, and services are not a substitute for those of an attorney or law firm. This site provides general information that should not be construed as legal advice. You may want to consult with an attorney to confirm your BOI reporting obligations.
100% Accuracy Guarantee and Accurate Calculations Guarantee: For assisted tax prep, if Block Advisors makes an error on your return, we will reimburse you for any resulting penalties and interest. For DIY tax prep, if Block Advisors online tax preparation software makes an error on your return, we will reimburse you for any resulting penalties and interest up to a maximum of $10,000. Limitations apply. See https://www.blockadvisors.com/guarantees/ for full details.
Assisted Tax Prep Discount: Discount valid at participating Block Advisors or H&R Block U.S. offices for an original 2024 income tax return for new clients only, and may not be combined with any other offer or promotion. Coupon must be presented prior to the completion of initial tax office interview. A new client is an individual or business who did not use Block Advisors or H&R Block to prepare their income tax return within a year from the date of the 2024 income tax return preparation. Void if transferred and where prohibited. No cash value. OBTP#B13696-BR ©2024 HRB Tax Group, Inc.
Send a Friend (Bookkeeping): You’ll receive up to a $20 reward for each new client you refer that purchases a 12-month bookkeeping service, for a maximum of $300. A new client is someone who did not utilize H&R Block or Block Advisors’ bookkeeping services within the past year. The reward will be delivered for each new client after they purchase a 12-month bookkeeping service with H&R Block or Block Advisors. Rewards will be provided on virtual cards and are only available to individuals who provide a valid email address.
Bookkeeping Discount: Valid at participating U.S. offices for $150 off for full-service bookkeeping for new clients only. Valid 12-month engagement letter required. After the application of the discount in this offer, you will be charged monthly at the amount in the engagement letter. Discount may not be combined with any other offer or promotion. Void if transferred and where prohibited. Coupon must be presented prior to start of bookkeeping services. A new client is an individual who has not used H&R Block or Block Advisors for bookkeeping services. No cash value. H&R Block employees are excluded. Expires Dec. 31, 2025. ©2025 HRB Tax Group, Inc.
Non-Tax Benefits of Entity Formation: The decision to form a business entity is an important one that includes many considerations. You may want to seek the advice of an attorney to evaluate all of the relevant considerations. Block Advisors Business Formation Products and Services provide automated online tools that you can use to help meet your business formation needs but are not specifically tailored to you or any particular situation.
Entity Formation Tax Savings ($37k Profit): Example savings based on average estimated tax savings of sole proprietor (Schedule C) with $37,000 in profit in 2022 compared to a similar S Corp election paying a reasonable salary of $14,600. Savings are net of salary payments and payroll taxes. Additional fees like tax preparation and payroll services are not included. Individual tax savings will vary based on your circumstances. All tax situations are different.
Block Advisors Small Business Certified: Our small business tax professional certification is awarded by Block Advisors, a part of H&R Block, based upon successful completion of proprietary training. Our Block Advisors small business services are available at participating Block Advisors and H&R Block offices nationwide.
Entity Formation Tax Savings ($50k Profit): Example savings based on average estimated tax savings of sole proprietor (Schedule C) with $50,000 in profit in 2022 compared to a similar S Corp election paying a reasonable salary of $25,000. Savings are net of salary payments and payroll taxes. Additional fees like tax preparation and payroll services are not included. Individual tax savings will vary based on your circumstances. All tax situations are different.
Entity Formation Tax Savings ($80k Profit): Example savings based on average estimated tax savings of sole proprietor (Schedule C) with $80,000 in profit in 2022 compared to a similar S Corp election paying a reasonable salary of $30,000. Savings are net of salary payments and payroll taxes. Additional fees like tax preparation and payroll services are not included. Individual tax savings will vary based on your circumstances. All tax situations are different.
Women-Owned Businesses: See this report for information on the 2024 Impact of Women-Owned Businesses.
Fund Her Future Rules: See our Official Rules for more information.
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DIY Discount: Valid for H&R Block Online at hrblock.com for an original 2024 personal federal income tax return for new clients only. Discount may not be combined with any other offer or promotion. H&R Block Online must be accessed from the included link, and discount will be applied automatically at checkout. A new client is an individual or business who did not use Block Advisors or H&R Block to prepare their income tax return within a year from the date of the 2024 income tax return preparation. Void if transferred and where prohibited. Exclusions may apply. No cash value. OBTP#B13696-BR ©2024 HRB Tax Group, Inc.
Business Formation Discount: Discount may not be combined with any other offer or promotion. Block Advisors Business Formation must be accessed from the included link, and discount will be applied automatically at checkout. Void if transferred and where prohibited. Exclusions may apply. No cash value. HRB Tax Group, Inc.
Mastercard: This offer is made by Block Advisors by H&R Block and not by Mastercard. Mastercard makes no offer, and disclaims all warranties and liability in relation to Block Advisors by H&R Block offer.
Bookkeeping and Payroll Partnership Offer: First month free offer valid for virtual Premium or Full-Service bookkeeping and/or Premium or Plus payroll services, up to $175 for bookkeeping and $150 for payroll services, excluding one-time set up fees. Following the first month, you will be charged then-current monthly rates, minus a 10% discount, until you cancel the discounted service(s) or terminate your client service agreement. Cancel or terminate before the end of your first month to avoid recurring charges. We reserve the right to change the standard monthly rates at any time. Offer is valid for new clients only. A new client is an individual or business who has not used Block Advisors for bookkeeping and/or payroll services. Discount may not be combined with any other offer or promotion. Void if transferred and where prohibited. No cash value. © 2025 HRB Tax Group Inc.
Payroll Partnership Offer: First month offer valid for Premium or Plus payroll services, up to $150, excluding one-time set up fees. Following the first month, you will be charged then-current monthly rates, minus a 10% discount, until you cancel or terminate. Offer is valid for new clients only. You must mention this offer during the free consultation to take advantage of it.
Bookkeeping Partnership Offer: First month offer valid for virtual Premium or Full-Service bookkeeping services, up to $175, excluding one-time set up fees. Following the first month, you will be charged then-current monthly rates, minus a 10% discount, until you cancel or terminate. Offer is valid for new clients only. You must mention this offer during the free consultation to take advantage of it.