In this episode, host Brandy Spears is joined by Jay Shah, founder of Hell’s Kitchen Tax in New York City. Jay's career is a testament to how passion and dedication to both tax expertise and client education can fuel business growth. From his early days volunteering with VITA to becoming an Enrolled Agent (EA), earning a Master's in Tax Law from NYU, and ultimately acquiring two tax practices, Jay has mastered the art of building trust with clients and growing a successful firm.

Jay shares his journey, including the lessons he's learned from acquiring a practice, how he built lasting relationships with clients, and why specialization in industries like performing arts and entertainment has fueled his firm’s growth. He also dives into how the EA credential allowed him to expand his services and how education and advocacy continue to shape his practice today.

Why Listen

• Discover how Jay acquired and grew his tax practice by acquiring other firms

• Learn the importance of building client trust during the practice transition

• Explore how specializing in a niche can differentiate your practice

• Get Jay’s advice on starting or acquiring a tax firm

• Learn how to prioritize client education and increase retention

In This Episode

• [00:00:00 ] Jay’s early experiences with VITA and discovering tax

• [00:02:00 ] The moment Jay realized he needed the EA credential

• [00:04:00 ] Earning his Master’s in Tax Law and applying it to complex corporate deals

• [00:07:00 ] The decision to acquire a practice vs. starting from scratch

• [00:10:00 ] Lessons learned from the first practice acquisition

• [00:12:00 ] How Jay specializes in the performing arts and entertainment industries

• [00:15:00 ] Jay’s advice for EAs thinking about acquiring a practice

• [00:18:00 ] The importance of client education and maintaining relationships

• [00:22:00 ] How Jay handles IRS audits and advocates for his clients

• [00:25:00 ] Embracing technology and AI in tax practice

• [00:29:00 ] How to succeed as an EA by integrating tax and financial planning

• [00:32:00 ] Jay’s approach to client retention through year-round engagement

Notable Quotes

• “The best advice I can give is: Don’t wait—if you want to do it, do it. You’ve got to start somewhere.” – Jay Shah

• “Client trust doesn’t happen overnight, but by making personal connections, you can build lasting relationships.” – Jay Shah

• “Tax work is about communication—how you explain things and help clients understand their situation is key to building confidence.” – Jay Shah

• “Acquiring a practice gives you a head start, but you still have to work to gain clients’ trust and prove you’re the right choice.” – Jay Shah

• “Specialization can make all the difference. I went from doing everything to specializing in the performing arts and entertainment industries, and it’s made my practice thrive.” – Jay Shah

Our Guest

Jay Shah, EA is the founder of Hell’s Kitchen Tax in New York City, a firm specializing in tax preparation and advocacy for individuals, small businesses, and the performing arts and entertainment industries. Jay began his career in tax by volunteering for the VITA program and went on to earn his Master's in Tax Law from NYU.

An Enrolled Agent since 2014, Jay has acquired two practices and transitioned into specializing in niche markets. He is passionate about client education and building long-term relationships, always striving to make complex tax concepts understandable and actionable.

Resource and Links

The Enrolled Agent Advocate Podcast

• The Enrolled Agent Advocate

Brandy Spears

• LinkedIn

• Website - NAEA.org

Jay Shah, EA

• Website - Hell’s Kitchen Tax

• LinkedIn

Mentioned

• https://www.irs.gov/individuals/irs-vita-grant-program