Stephen Lee CPA Consulting with Physician

Tax Strategy for 1099 Physicians

You left the W-2 world. Your tax strategy should too.

Helping locum and independent physicians reduce tax uncertainty, implement proactive strategies, and turn high 1099 income into long-term wealth.

Built for physicians earning 1099 income, wherever they are in the transition.

Locum Physicians

Locum Physicians

Multi-state assignments, travel reimbursements, entity timing, and quarterly estimates for physicians working locum tenens full- or part-time.

Independent & 1099 Physicians

Independent & 1099 Physicians

Practice owners and independent contractors who need proactive S-corp strategy and cash balance plan stacking, not just a return filed once a year.

W-2 Transitioning to 1099

W-2 Transitioning to 1099

Guidance through entity setup, quarterly estimated taxes, and the decisions that matter most in your first year off a W-2.

W-2 + 1099 Hybrid

W-2 + 1099 Hybrid

Physicians earning both W-2 and 1099 income who need a single strategy that accounts for both, not two disconnected filings.

Stephen Lee
Stephen Lee, CPA, CPWA®
@TheLocumCPA

Most CPAs learn locum and 1099 physician tax as an afterthought. I built my practice around it.

Early in my career, I kept seeing the same pattern: talented physicians who'd left the W-2 world for locum and independent work, paired with generalist CPAs who filed their returns but never told them what an S-corp, a cash balance plan, or a multi-state strategy could actually save them. Twenty years and a Master's in Taxation later, that gap is the entire practice.

Stephen Lee is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Private Wealth Advisor® from Yale University's School of Management, with a deep understanding of the federal and multi-state tax codes that govern 1099 physician income.

CPA

Certified Public Accountant

20+ years of experience in federal and multi-state tax, including Big Four experience.

MST

Master of Science in Taxation

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, graduate-level specialization in tax strategy.

CPWA®

Certified Private Wealth Advisor®

Yale University School of Management, focused on wealth strategy for 1099 physician income.

Free resources to help 1099 physicians build wealth

Watch more on YouTube →

The right plan for every 1099 physician

Tax Compliance & Foundational Support

TLC Essential

$750/month*

For physicians who primarily need accurate tax preparation, estimated-tax guidance, and dependable year-round support.

  • Federal + one state individual tax return
  • Business tax return for one entity
  • Annual estimated-tax calculation
  • One annual tax-planning meeting
  • Basic business-deduction guidance
  • Ongoing email support

Ideal for: physicians beginning their 1099 journey with straightforward business activity.

Onboarding: starting at $1,000

Choose TLC Essential
Comprehensive, High-Touch Tax Advisory

TLC Private Client

Starting at $2,500/month*

For high-income physicians, practice owners, and entrepreneurial families with more complex tax-planning and coordination needs.

  • Everything in TLC Strategic, plus:
  • Monthly or as-needed strategic meetings
  • Multiple-entity & multistate coordination
  • Advanced retirement + real estate tax coordination
  • IRS/state notice assistance, priority communication
  • Family & generational tax planning

Ideal for: physicians earning ~$750,000+, practice owners, and families seeking a coordinated, white-glove relationship.

Onboarding: starting at $5,000

Apply for TLC Private Client

*Pricing depends on the complexity of your situation and the specific services requested. Rates may vary based on the duration of the engagement and any additional requirements. Schedule a meeting for an accurate quote. Looking for a one-time engagement instead? See à la carte pricing.

Service TLC Essential TLC Strategic TLC Private Client
Individual tax return Included Included Included
One business return Included Included Included
Quarterly estimates Included Included Included
Annual entity review Included Included Included
Formal planning meetings 2 per year Quarterly Monthly or as needed
Updated tax projections Midyear/year-end Quarterly Rolling
S-corporation optimization Annual review Proactive Comprehensive
Retirement-plan analysis Basic Detailed Advanced
Multi-state planning Limited Included Comprehensive
Bookkeeping review Add-on Quarterly review Monthly or managed
Payroll coordination Limited Included Managed
Scenario modeling Limited 2 annually Ongoing
Advisor coordination Add-on Limited Included
Estate/charitable coordination Not included Limited Included
Implementation management Client-led Shared CPA-team-led
Response target 3 business days 2 business days 1 business day

View full plan details, onboarding fees & à la carte services →

What physicians say after working together

"Client testimonial coming soon."

"Client testimonial coming soon."

Frequently Asked Questions

Please provide your 1099 forms from all staffing agencies, expense receipts (travel, lodging, meals), mileage logs, professional license fees, insurance payments, and bank/credit card statements from your business accounts.

Yes, we understand physicians are often traveling and offer secure virtual consultations, electronic document sharing, and flexible scheduling to accommodate your assignment schedule.

We recommend quarterly reviews to assess your tax situation, adjust estimated payments if needed, and ensure your expense tracking is optimized, with additional consultations before major financial decisions.

Our services include tax preparation, quarterly estimated tax calculations, expense tracking guidance, multi-state tax compliance, retirement planning consultation, and year-round tax planning support.

Our fees are based on the complexity of your tax situation and services needed. We'll provide a clear pricing structure after reviewing your specific needs during our initial consultation.

We regularly work with physicians in locum and 1099 positions and understand the unique tax implications of traveling assignments, multiple state income, and independent contractor status.

Keep $30k–$50k+ more of your 1099 physician income

Stop overpaying self-employment taxes or leaving high-value deductions on the table. Written by 20-year tax strategist Stephen Lee, CPA, CPWA®, this free guide breaks down the exact strategies locum & 1099 physicians use to build wealth faster.

  • S-Corp vs. LLC Framework: Know precisely when & how to structure your entity to save thousands annually.
  • Hidden 1099 Deductions: Travel, CME, home office, vehicle, and medical expense strategies most CPAs overlook.
  • Multi-State Filing Roadmap: Eliminate double-taxation traps when working locum assignments across state lines.

Download Your Free Guide Instantly

Check your inbox! Your guide is on its way.
SPECIAL EDITION GUIDE

A CPA’s Guide to Locum Tenens

In 15 minutes, discover how independent physicians optimize entity timing, stack retirement plans, and reclaim $30,000–$50,000+ each year.

Physician reviewing tax strategy paperwork