Thompson returns to Ellsworth to open accounting business

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Jeannie Thompson has returned to Ellsworth to open another accounting business. JET Accounting will start accepting clients Jan. 15, 2010, at their new location, 103 N. Piety in Ellsworth. Thompson (middle) will be joined by accountant Eric Schlosser (left) and Crystal Dow (right), who will handle office support. Photo by Jason Schulte

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While most people dread tax time, Jeannie Thompson isn’t one of them.

That’s because Thompson has been an accountant for almost 25 years, including eight of those in Ellsworth.

With tax time fast approaching, Thompson has returned to Ellsworth, this time with a different name -- JET Accounting, Inc., and location -- 105 N. Piety. The business starts accepting clients Jan. 15, 2010.

“It’s great being back,” she said.

Thompson graduated from River Falls High School and then went on to earn her degree from Texas A&M University. She was an accountant in Dallas, Tex., for almost 10 years before coming back to the area and starting her own business in Durand in 1995. She added an outlet in Ellsworth in 2001.

She said JET is a full-service accounting business handling payrolls, bookkeeping, agriculture and small business, along with tax preparation.

The business has grown over the years. When Thompson returned home, she estimated she only had a “couple of clients.” Now, the figure is around 1,000.

“I probably haven’t even met 20 percent of my clients,” she said, as JET is approved to file taxes in all states. Therefore, most of her work with those is done by mail or faxes.

Without question, though, her busiest portion of the job is tax returns, and Thompson guessed she’s done nearly 25,000 of in the last 15 years.

“The clients (traditionally) come in very cautious of the IRS,” she explained. “But we search for every possible legitimate deduction and, in the end, they end up owing less than expected or getting more back.”

She said new features clients can be aware of in preparation for tax returns include the first-time homebuyer tax credit, which was extended up to $8,000; a credit up to $6,500 for homeowners who have lived in their residence five of the last eight years; and an earned income tax credit for lower-income families. Thompson said limitations apply to each.

The Ellsworth location will be by appointment only and on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

For additional information, call (715) 273-0666. If no one is there, all calls will be forwarded to the Durand location, which is on Dorwins Mill Road.

Tags: local business, business, ellsworth