Verified
We are a retired couple with a duplex in Boulder Creek. I haven't done our taxes in a few years and the wife finally pushed me to call carpe diem.
The gentleman there is very nice, but we didn't feel he took the time to understand who we were and where we were coming from.
He chatted with my wife for some time, but mostly talked about himself.
He made some assumptions about how we wanted to handle the duplex, which were wrong. He seemed to think we were much wealthier than we actually are.
At some point he apparently triggered some deep feelings she had, but he did not seem to notice it care. She cried all the way home.
After we got home, we consulted AI. It turns out that we needed a different kind of tax person, if we even need one at all. AI was able to put us on the right track. Thank you, Gemini .
That's about it. I don't like confrontations so I am still in contact with this man, but the wife says just pay him for the visit and cut our losses.
Verified
Robert Arne, owner of Carpe Diem, prepared our tax returns for the first time this year. He was recommended by a friend whose tax he has done for several years.
We were very happy with the service Robert provided and will definitely use his service again. We got an appointment right away and he completed our returns and filed them electronically within a few days. He was thorough in asking for all of our information so that we didn't miss any possible deductions.
The entire process start to finish was the most painless tax prep experience I've had in years.
His price, I feel, was very fair. Our return is about medium in terms of complicated, with a few rental properties and to be honest he could have used that to bump his price. He didn't do that.
I don't know Robert yet but I have the feeling he is above board and honest in his financial dealings, just had the impression he isn't someone who gets every penny he can in an exchange.
His office is in his home and his home is on a remote road in the Santa Cruz mountains. We only needed to make one trip there as he was very willing to do everything electronically after the initial visit to meet each other.
Verified
My lifelong accountant passed away a couple of years ago leaving me with no one to turn to for tax preparation. I tried a couple of local accountants, but was not satisfied with their work. A friend recommended Robert and I called him immediately because I had a very stressful IRS situation that needed immediate attention. It involved purchasing bitcoin in 2021 and then selling it in 2022 when the bitcoin market collapsed. The company I was dealing with back then went out of business so no records were available. Robert was able to talk me through how to find the documents needed and then put everything together to file the amended return the IRS was requesting. I couldn't be more satisfied with his professional manner and performance. I will definitely continue to use his service in the future.
Reply from Carpe Diem Financial Services
2025.09.30
Christine: Thank you for your kind words. Though I am critical of bitcoin investing, I have successfully worked out many bitcoin tax returns. Mostly, I just like to help the sweetest of clients when tax authorities pounce without knowing the situation.
Verified
Robert has been so helpful to me. When I needed help with estimating my taxes he first told me what to do and then, when I was still confused, he had me visit with him again and he actually did the work for me, without asking any extra fee. It's wonderful to have a tax person who is so caring and so helpful.
Reply from Carpe Diem Financial Services
2025.08.17
Dear Leah: Thank you very much for the nice review. I just know that when you give good service to others in the world, the world rewards you tenfold.
Verified
I started working with Robert this last tax season.
First of all, he's a very bright and interesting person, and it is easy to see after talking with him for a bit that he really knows tax law and procedures.
He was timely, and had no problems understanding my situation of the many businesses I have and income sources, and what deductions would best fit for my case.
I would highly recommend Robert for your tax and accounting needs!
Reply from Carpe Diem Financial Services
2025.07.23
Mister Christopher:
Thank you very much for complimenting my tax services. Fifteen years of staring at returns plus a MS makes it easy to understand business situations quickly. The breadth of my knowledge lets me venture out into Financial Planning and mortgages as well, but tax was my foundation.
Thank you very much for complimenting my tax services. Fifteen years of staring at returns plus a MS makes it easy to understand business situations quickly. The breadth of my knowledge lets me venture out into Financial Planning and mortgages as well, but tax was my foundation.
Robert was referred to me by my dad‘s business tax preparer to do the tax return for his trust and his final return, estate taxes was not something that they did but they highly recommended Robert.
He has been a huge help to me and relieve me of a lot of concerns about getting all of my paperwork and taxes done especially in the emotional time after my dad‘s death. He does all of my taxes now, business and personal. He is always very patient and kind and he does a great job.
Reply from Carpe Diem Financial Services
2025.06.25
Tina: My thanks to you as always. Handling estates and rental properties are standard fare for me and I am so glad to work with children transitioning into new lives without their parents. Carpe Diem!
Robert Arne of Carpe Diem did a wonderful job on my taxes. He found money I'd been paying that I didn't need to pay! Highly recommended.
Reply from Carpe Diem Financial Services
2025.06.18
Dear Leah: I am so glad you are satisfied. Wish I could free you from all those taxes and help you efficiently in the process!
Robert has been a lifesaver for us.
We started using his services for tax preparation a couple years ago, and immediatley learned we had deductions that were not being exercised by our previous tax preparer. Robert saved us thousands and helped guide us to better tax strategies. Which leads us to finanical planning, Robert has helped guide us towards smart and manageable practices throughout the year. His insight is priceless and he is always available for us to discuss tax business matters when we need him. What a joy to work with him, Thanks Robert ! Gordon and Roni.
Reply from Carpe Diem Financial Services
2025.06.18
Gordon: This is one of the most thoughtful reviews I got and I am delighted that you noticed both than I am a tax preparer who can find what others miss and that I can better your lives in greater ways as a financial planner. Let me always be available to you with priceless insight.
I am indebted to Robert for helping me secure a bridge loan to purchase my new home. I am sure I could not have gotten one without his assistance. Thank you Robert!
Reply from Carpe Diem Financial Services
2025.06.18
Lisa: Your review is short but precious: you see that some lenders can get you loans that defy others. With Scott Hill on my team, and me listening to your needs, I know we can give the ultimate solutions to any mortgage problem.
Robert has been a great help for us and our finances. When we lost our tax preparer, we found Robert and he has been filing our taxes for 2 years already. He is incredibly knowledgeable and brings tax a finance knowledge down to a level I can understand. We have been so happy with Robert on our taxes that we also began talking about financial planning. It has been a great experience and we are on our track to improving our future!
Reply from Carpe Diem Financial Services
2025.06.18
Dear David: Lord have mercy when you lose a tax preparer and grace when you find another delighted to share insights from Masters Level tax classes and a teacher's bent to make the abstract understandable. Once you begin talk of financial planning, you just never know when solutions to life's problems may show.
Robert is a very kind & consciences man. I sincerely appreciate the time he takes with me when i show up with my shoebox of receipts lol. He's is willing to discuss all the details and make sure everything is done correctly. He is very knowledgeable and precise. I genuinely recommend him for your tax and accounting needs.
Reply from Carpe Diem Financial Services
2025.06.17
Dear Megan:
I appreciate you and your shoeboxes, particularly when they come accompanied by great humor and a life dedicated to healing others! Discussion is the most enjoyable part of doing taxes to me and I strive for precision as part of wisdom!
I appreciate you and your shoeboxes, particularly when they come accompanied by great humor and a life dedicated to healing others! Discussion is the most enjoyable part of doing taxes to me and I strive for precision as part of wisdom!
Robert helped me with a complex tax return , involving several LLCs, crypto, and deductions. He is always available and explains complex details in a way that you can understand. I highly recommend his services
Reply from Carpe Diem Financial Services
2025.06.17
Alan: These compliments mean alot fro a leader like you. I notice communications and technical complexity behind most of my five star reviews.
Verified
Robert helped me file my self-employment tax return a couple years ago when I was starting out as a musician. He was a tremendous help and source of knowledge, and readily helped file supplemental forms when the IRS asked (I was at a loss trying to understand the IRS's complicated verbiage). If you're considering a financial advisor, tax preparer, or mortgage broker, go with Robert before he gets fully booked with clients!
Reply from Carpe Diem Financial Services
2025.06.17
Thank you Sylvia for letting me advise you in tax and finance. I love entrepreneurs and you combine personal and professional risk so boldly with an artist's choices. Venture forth!