Tax Break CPA - Donna Uzunow, CPA

Tax Break CPA, led by Donna Uzunow, is a Glendale-based accounting firm that brings a CPA's analytical discipline to property tax assessment work. Donna has built a practice around helping homeowners and small business owners throughout the Los Angeles area find money they didn't know they were leaving on the table, starting with their property tax bills. Her background in accounting means she approaches assessments as a numbers problem first, which tends to produce stronger factual arguments. The firm is small enough that Donna handles client relationships directly rather than passing cases to junior staff. Clients consistently mention that she explains the process clearly and follows through without needing to be chased. If you're dealing with a property assessment issue alongside other tax concerns, having a CPA who understands both sides of the picture can make a real difference.

Tax Break CPA offers property assessment appeals as part of a broader tax services practice. On the property side, Donna handles LA County and City of Glendale assessment appeals for residential and small commercial properties, including condos, single-family homes, duplexes, and small apartment buildings. She reviews supplemental tax bills issued after purchases and refinances, checks for change-of-ownership errors, and assists with Proposition 8 reduction filings for properties that have declined in value. Beyond property tax, the firm provides individual and small business tax preparation and planning, bookkeeping, and IRS representation. For real estate investors, Donna can integrate property tax strategy with overall tax planning, looking at depreciation schedules, cost segregation, and entity structure together rather than in isolation. New clients typically start with a consultation where Donna reviews the current assessment, pulls market comparables, and gives an honest read on whether an appeal is worth pursuing. She won't file a weak case just to collect a fee, which means her hit rate on actual reductions is higher than average. The firm also offers rush review services for clients who've received a notice close to the filing deadline.

Donna starts every engagement with a review of your assessment notice and recent comparable sales. She'll tell you upfront if she thinks the case has merit and what a realistic reduction might look like. No vague promises. If you decide to proceed, she prepares and files the assessment appeal application with the appropriate board before the deadline. During the informal review phase, she communicates directly with the Assessor's office and submits supporting documentation. Most cases settle at this stage. For cases that proceed to a formal hearing, Donna prepares a detailed evidence package and represents you before the board. She handles scheduling, documentation, and the actual presentation. After a decision, she verifies the corrected bill and tracks any refund owed for prior overpayments. The whole process is explained at each stage so you always know what's happening and what comes next.

Tax Break CPA serves property owners throughout LA County with particular focus on Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, La Canada Flintridge, Arcadia, Monrovia, and the Crescenta Valley. The firm also takes cases in parts of the San Fernando Valley and downtown Los Angeles for clients who are already working with Donna on other tax matters. Out-of-area consultations are available by phone or video for straightforward residential cases.