Licensed Tax Consultant serving Portland since 1988
Glenda Horton knew she wanted to become a tax preparer, but there was one obstacle: no tax preparation schooling was available in North Dakota. In the summer of 1987, she relocated to Portland, Oregon. She immediately enrolled in a tax preparation course advertised in the local newspaper, launching her 35+ year career helping Portland families and businesses.
What began as a determined goal quickly evolved into a deep professional passion. Glenda discovered she had a talent for helping people navigate the confusing world of tax forms and regulations. More importantly, she found genuine joy in the "aha" moments when clients realized they were getting a bigger refund than expected or understood a tax concept for the first time.
Since 1988, Glenda has prepared thousands of tax returns for Portland families, first-time homeowners, small business owners, and families settling estates. She's seen tax laws change, software evolve, and deduction rules shift but her commitment to personal service has remained constant.
Glenda chose to establish Gateway Tax Service in the Parkrose/Sumner area of Northeast Portland and never looked back. "This neighborhood offers the perfect blend of safety, friendliness, and community," she explains. For over 35 years, she's been part of this community, building lasting relationships with clients who return year after year and often bring their children when they start filing taxes of their own.
Ask Glenda what makes her different from H&R Block or TurboTax, and her answer is simple: "I am here for them." She's not rushing through appointments to meet a quota. If you don't understand her question, she'll rephrase it until it makes sense. She reviews their last two years of returns to spot patterns or missed opportunities. She asks about life changes not just to fill in forms, but because those changes matter for their taxes.
And here's a key difference: You'll work with the same experienced professional year after year not a different preparer each tax season like at chain offices. Glenda remembers what changed from last year and knows your situation.
"Seeing client relief when they receive larger refunds or discover they don't owe what they feared that's what keeps me passionate about this work," Glenda says. After 35+ years, she still finds genuine satisfaction in solving tax problems, finding overlooked deductions, and seeing the relief on a client's face when they understand their tax situation.
Annual professional training and tax law updates
Extensive experience with Forms 1041 and estate settlements
Schedule C and self-employment tax expertise
Kicker credit, metro taxes, local compliance
Authorized to represent clients before the IRS
When you meet with Glenda for the first time, she starts by reviewing your last two years of tax returns. This isn't just paperwork it's detective work. She's looking for patterns, checking for missed deductions, and identifying opportunities you may have overlooked. Then she asks about life changes: Did you move? Buy a house? Have a baby? Get married? Start a business? These aren't small talk every life change affects your taxes.
Here's a real example: A new client was referred to Glenda after years of working with another tax preparer. When she reviewed their prior returns, she discovered they had been incorrectly filed as non-residents for three consecutive years despite having the same Portland address the entire time. Their previous preparer had mishandled non-taxable income and didn't know how to properly classify it. Glenda amended all three years, correctly handled the non-taxable income, and secured substantial refunds the clients deserved but never knew they were owed.
Glenda knows tax jargon is confusing. When she asks a question and sees confusion, she rephrases it until it makes sense. She explains concepts in plain English and makes sure you understand not just what she's doing, but why it matters for your return.
Glenda doesn't disappear on April 16. She's available year-round when clients have questions or experience life changes. Got married in June? Call Glenda to adjust your W-4 withholding. Buying a house in September? Call to understand the tax implications before year-end. She's there when you need her, not just when taxes are due.
Experience personalized tax service from a Licensed Tax Consultant who takes the time to understand your unique situation.
Whether you're navigating your first home purchase, settling an estate, or managing business taxes, Glenda brings over 30 years of experience to every client relationship.
Serving the Portland community since 1988
8933 NE Humboldt Street
Parkrose/Sumner Area
Portland, OR 97220