Tax preparation service · Norwalk, CT · reviewed since 2018
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%87+51.1Reliability 26%76+19.8Value 15%86+13.1Experts Score= 84Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.84SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#28 of 40 document preparation servicesiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 31%
4.9★★★★★29 Google reviews · 2 photos
97%five-star reviews
5.00★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
5%1–2★, last 20 reviewsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate By The Book Taxes 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 29 reviews. Customers frequently highlight the provider's responsiveness, thoroughness, and ability to simplify complex tax situations, including business returns and IRS issues. Recurring themes include clear communication, punctuality, and competitive pricing. A single low-star review cites poor communication skills and a sarcastic demeanor, though this criticism does not appear in the majority of positive feedback.
Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 29 reviews (97% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 29 Google reviews (26 with written comments).
Owner responses: the business replied to 7% of reviews.
Most recent review: December 8, 2025.
Service: Document Preparation Service serving Norwalk, Connecticut.
Data from Google, last updated October 28, 2026.
Score profile vs other document preparation services
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and satisfaction; weakest: reliability.
By The Book TaxesDocument Preparation Services median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.By The Book Taxes: 87/100 on this factor. Category median: 92.A
87
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.By The Book Taxes: 76/100 on this factor. Category median: 87.B
76
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 98.–
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ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.By The Book Taxes: 86/100 on this factor. Category median: 98.A
86
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.By The Book Taxes: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 79.–
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Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
29 Google reviews we collected
4.9of 5
5 stars2897%
4 stars00%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star13%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 26 written reviews
98%praise
Praise6498%
Complaints12%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
100%fair
Great price125%
Reasonable250%
Overpriced00%
Not sure125%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Would recommend1422%
Quality & results1320%
Speed & response1320%
Staff & attitude1117%
Communication812%
Price & value35%
Honesty & trust35%
What customers talk about
We read 26 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“We had an excellent experience working with Mike on our income taxes and highly recommend him.”
“He was very detailed in reviewing our specific case and thoroughly discussed our options together.”
“He is responsive, organized, and makes the filing process straightforward and easy to navigate.”
“Mike was a great resource and true professional when filing our taxes with him.”
“He handled my returns expertly, & answered all of my questions happily.”
“responsive, efficient, communicative, reasonable and approachable.”
“I never feel like I'm bothering him - he genuinely wants to provide helpful guidance.”
People customers mention
Mike11 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired By The Book Taxes for 3 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
JJanet5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 10 months ago★★★★★
We had an excellent experience working with Mike on our income taxes and highly recommend him. He is responsive, organized, and makes the filing process straightforward and easy to navigate. We will absolutely continue using his services in the future without hesitation.
Reasonable priceIncome tax return filing
EErica5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 10 months ago★★★★★
Mike was a great resource and true professional when filing our taxes with him. He was very detailed in reviewing our specific case and thoroughly discussed our options together. Looking forward to working together again soon!
MMichael15 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 10 months ago★★★★★
Mike is awesome! For lack of a better phrase, he is “by the books”. Easy to work with and just a good guy. Thank you for all you help Mike!
TTj1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 10 months ago★★★★★
Wonderful to work with! Quick communication, and easy to speak with. Highly recommend.
Great priceIncome tax return filing
Zzilda5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
I hired Mike to resolve an issue with a return that was done incorrectly by another professional. Mike took care of it quickly, and in less than six months IRS reviewed the amended return he did, and the issue was resolved. Thank you Mike!
AAmy7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 years ago★★★★★
I am so grateful to have found Mike and By The Book Taxes. Mike is HIGHLY knowledgeable. responsive, efficient, communicative, reasonable and approachable. He helped fix a convoluted tax situation of which I had unwittingly created. No judgement, no delay....only action, solution and resolution. I am very happy…
We had an excellent experience working with Mike on our income taxes and highly recommend him. He is responsive, organized, and makes the filing process straightforward and easy to navigate. We will absolutely continue using his services in the future without hesitation.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Income tax return filing
E
Erica Lehnert5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Erica has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Mike was a great resource and true professional when filing our taxes with him. He was very detailed in reviewing our specific case and thoroughly discussed our options together. Looking forward to working together again soon!
Price assessment: Not sure
Services: Income tax return filing, Income tax return preparation, Local tax return preparation
L
Lori H10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Lori has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I moved to Connecticut recently, & needed a new tax expert. After exhaustive online research, I narrowed it down to By The Book Taxes, because their website blew everyone else out of the water by going into incredible detail about every aspect of their services. I met with Mike to go over last year's taxes & to see if we were a good match. He quickly flipped thru my stacks(!) of paperwork, & had a handle on everything instantly. I think my taxes are a bit complex (K-1s, etc.), but Mike has many clients with K-1s so it was no issue.
He handled my returns expertly, & answered all of my questions happily. Indeed, he actually *likes* to help his clients understand their returns! From our very first meet-up, I had complete confidence in him, and absolutely no worries about my taxes in Connecticut. I look forward to getting back together with him to hammer out 2025, and I recommend him without reservation. He is a delightful gentleman who is very easy to get along with.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Income tax return filing, Income tax return preparation, Local tax return preparation
M
Michael Numon15 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Michael has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I hired Mike to resolve an issue with a return that was done incorrectly by another professional. Mike took care of it quickly, and in less than six months IRS reviewed the amended return he did, and the issue was resolved. Thank you Mike!
A
Amy Bennett7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Amy has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I am so grateful to have found Mike and By The Book Taxes. Mike is HIGHLY knowledgeable. responsive, efficient, communicative, reasonable and approachable. He helped fix a convoluted tax situation of which I had unwittingly created. No judgement, no delay....only action, solution and resolution. I am very happy he is my partner on all things taxes now. I recommend Mike for ANY types of tax return needs you have. Wish I had known Mike sooner!
N
Nada3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Nada has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Mike has been an incredible help with our taxes! He not only made the filing process smooth and stress-free for my husband and me, but also provided valuable tax advice that will guide our financial decisions in the future. Mike was always timely, and he sent all documents in a clear, organized, and professional manner. His expertise, professionalism, and attention to detail are unmatched. We look forward to continuing to use his services for years to come. Highly recommend!
E
Elisa Metzger4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Elisa has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Mike is extremely knowledgeable and professional. I really appreciate how responsive he is. Also, how he takes the time to review your taxes so you can understand your returns. I would highly recommend him for your tax needs.
