Understanding Today’s Financial Environment
Welcome, I’m Michael A. Chester at Mesa Verde Consulting, Inc., a tax and financial service company in Costa Mesa, California. We provide personalized services to meet your Accounting, Tax, and Financial Goals based on your needs, wants, and objectives.
Whether you require assistance with your financial and retirement needs, tax preparation, business consulting and planning, we will customize our services to your needs.
We have been serving Southern California for over 26 years and look forward to working with you through all stages of your life.
Please review our list of services and the other educational and information areas of our website. Give us a call at 714-557-0992 or send us an email (mverde114@aol.com) to help us get started.
Helpful Content
The Facts About Income Tax
Millions faithfully file their 1040 forms each April. But some things about federal income taxes may surprise you.
“Dirty Dozen” Tax Scams to Watch For
Every year the IRS releases its list of tax scams, spotlighting some ways that people try to separate you from your money.
What Do Your Taxes Pay For?
Here's a breakdown of how the federal government spends your tax money.
Value vs. Growth Investing
Among stock-market investors there’s long been a debate between those who favor value and those who favor growth.
Certain Uncertainties in Retirement
The uncertainties we face in retirement can erode our sense of confidence.
Buying vs. Leasing a Car
Whatever your relationship with your car, it may eventually come time for a new one. Familiarize yourself with your options.
What to Look for in Personal Finance Apps
An increasing number have been developed to help individuals with their personal finances.
Keeping Good Records is Good Business
Maintaining good records for your business not only helps to meet your tax and legal obligations, but it can save you money.
Choosing a Business Structure
Entrepreneurs all face the same question, “Which business structure should I adopt?”
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Contributing to an IRA?
Determine if you are eligible to contribute to a traditional or Roth IRA.
How Much Home Can I Afford?
With a few simple inputs you can estimate how much of a mortgage you may be able to obtain.
What Is My Current Cash Flow?
Assess whether you are running “in the black” or “in the red” each month.
Federal Income Tax
Use this calculator to estimate your income tax liability along with average and marginal tax rates.
Doubling Your Money
This calculator demonstrates the power of compound interest.
Taxable vs. Tax-Deferred Savings
Use this calculator to compare the future value of investments with different tax consequences.
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Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
Protecting Those Who Matter Most
The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.
An Inside Look at Retirement Living
A number of questions and concerns need to be addressed to help you better prepare for retirement living.
Investment Strategies for Retirement
Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.
Long-Term-Care Protection Strategies
The chances of needing long-term care, its cost, and strategies for covering that cost.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
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The Power of Compound Interest
Learn how to harness the power of compound interest for your investments.
Extended Care: A Patchwork of Possibilities
What is your plan for health care during retirement?
Keeping Up with the Joneses
Lifestyle inflation can be the enemy of wealth building. What could happen if you invested instead of buying more stuff?
RE: Retirement
How does your ideal retirement differ from reality, and what can we do to better align the two?
Charitable Giving: Smart from the Heart
Do you have causes that you want to support with donations? Here are three tips.
Your DNA Test
If your family relies on your income, it’s critical to know what their needs would be in the event of your death.