Hidden Gems: Meet Ethan White of White Sands Tax Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ethan White.

Hi Ethan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
White Sands Tax Services grew out of a shared family commitment to helping people feel more confident with their finances. My mother, Ruth White, has spent more than 15 years preparing taxes and more than 15 years teaching tax and accounting at the college level. She also worked for the IRS, which gives her a unique perspective that many tax professionals do not have. She understands not only how tax rules work on paper, but also how the IRS looks at returns, notices, compliance issues, and taxpayer concerns.

When we started White Sands Tax Services, we wanted to build something that felt different from the typical tax office. Taxes can be stressful, especially for people who are catching up on prior-year returns, dealing with self-employment income, starting a small business, or trying to understand a notice they received. Our goal was to create a place where clients could ask questions, feel supported, and leave with a clearer understanding of their situation.

I also bring my own background in business and education to the company. My business experience helps me understand the practical side of what individuals and small business owners are managing, from operations and organization to bookkeeping and financial decision-making. My experience in education also shapes how we work with clients. We do not just want to prepare a return or update the books; we want people to understand what is happening and feel more confident moving forward.

Today, we provide tax preparation, bookkeeping, and practical guidance for individuals, families, and small business owners. Ruth brings deep tax knowledge, patience, and a teacher’s approach, while I help support the business, client experience, systems, and communication side of our work. Together, we have built White Sands Tax Services around trust, clear communication, and genuine care for the people we serve.

What has brought us to where we are today is simple: we treat every client like a real person, not just a tax return. Whether someone needs help getting organized, filing current or prior-year taxes, managing bookkeeping, or planning ahead, we want them to feel informed, respected, and supported every step of the way.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a perfectly smooth road, but the challenges have made the journey more meaningful.

One of the biggest steps we took was getting a loan through the SBA and purchasing a pre-existing tax business while also starting and building White Sands Tax Services as our own company. That process was exciting, but it was also a lot to take on. We were not just opening a business from scratch. We were also learning the history, systems, client expectations, and operations of an existing business while trying to create our own identity, standards, and long-term vision.

That came with a steep learning curve. We had to manage financing, legal and operational details, client transitions, technology, marketing, bookkeeping, and day-to-day service all at the same time. There were moments where it felt like we were wearing every possible hat, from business owners and tax professionals to customer service representatives, marketers, problem-solvers, and tech support. It was difficult, but it was also well worth it because it gave us the chance to serve an established group of clients while building something that truly reflects who we are.

Another challenge has been making the tax and bookkeeping process feel approachable. Many clients come to us during stressful moments. Some are behind on prior-year taxes, some are dealing with IRS notices, some are self-employed, and others are small business owners who know they need better systems but do not know where to begin. We have had to build processes that are organized enough for the technical side of tax and bookkeeping, but still warm and personal enough that clients feel comfortable asking questions.

Growing visibility and trust as a newer business has also taken a lot of work. There are many tax offices out there, so we have had to be intentional about showing what makes White Sands Tax Services different. Ruth brings years of tax preparation experience, teaching experience, and a valuable perspective from her time working at the IRS. I bring my background in business and education, which helps shape how we communicate with clients, organize our services, and explain complex topics in a way that feels understandable.

The road has absolutely had challenges, but those challenges have confirmed that we are doing the right work. Every obstacle has pushed us to become clearer, more organized, and more committed to creating the kind of tax and bookkeeping experience we would want for our own family: professional, honest, educational, and genuinely supportive.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
White Sands Tax Services is a family-owned tax preparation and bookkeeping firm built around clear communication, practical guidance, and genuine care for our clients. We help individuals, families, self-employed workers, and small business owners with tax preparation, prior-year returns, IRS notices, bookkeeping, and general tax questions that can often feel overwhelming.

What we are known for is making the process feel less intimidating. Many people come to us feeling stressed, behind, or unsure about what they need to do next. Some have not filed in several years, some received a letter from the IRS, and others are trying to manage side-gig income, rental income, self-employment, or a growing small business. Our goal is to meet people where they are, explain things clearly, and help them move forward without judgment.

One thing that sets us apart is the combination of experience we bring. Ruth White has more than 15 years of tax preparation experience, more than 15 years of experience teaching tax and accounting at the college level, and prior experience working at the IRS. That gives her a special viewpoint because she understands both the taxpayer side and how the IRS looks at returns, notices, compliance, and documentation. She brings a calm, patient, and educational approach to each client interaction.

I also bring a background in business and education, which shapes the way we run the company and support our clients. I understand how important good systems, communication, organization, and bookkeeping are, especially for small business owners who are trying to grow while staying compliant. Together, we try to combine technical knowledge with an approachable, human experience.

We are especially proud of building a brand that feels professional but not cold. Taxes are personal. People are trusting us with their finances, their worries, their businesses, and sometimes years of stress they have been carrying. We do not take that lightly. We want White Sands Tax Services to feel like a place where clients can ask questions, get honest answers, and feel respected throughout the process.

Our services include individual and business tax preparation, prior-year tax filing, bookkeeping, support for self-employed individuals and small business owners, and help understanding IRS or state tax notices. We also work with clients remotely, which allows us to serve people beyond our immediate local area while still keeping the process personal and organized.

What we want readers to know is that White Sands Tax Services is not just about preparing a return and moving on. We want clients to understand their tax situation, feel more confident about their finances, and know they have someone they can turn to when questions come up. Whether someone is filing a simple return, catching up after several years, starting a business, or trying to get their books in order, we are here to help them feel supported every step of the way.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was curious, thoughtful, and a little bit of a “why” person. I liked understanding how things worked, but I also cared about people and how they experienced the world around them. I was the kind of person who noticed details, asked questions, and wanted things to make sense.

I was also drawn to both business and education from an early point, even if I did not fully know that was where my path would lead. I liked structure, problem-solving, and organization, but I also enjoyed helping people understand things in a clearer way. Looking back, that combination has really shaped who I am professionally. I have always been interested in taking something that feels confusing or overwhelming and making it feel more manageable.

Personality-wise, I have always been pretty driven, but not in a flashy way. I care about doing things well, being dependable, and building something meaningful. I think that is part of what eventually led me into education, operations, and now business ownership. I like creating systems, supporting people, and helping others feel more confident.

I was also raised with a strong appreciation for family, hard work, and showing up for people. That has carried into White Sands Tax Services in a very real way. Our business is not just about tax preparation or bookkeeping. It is about creating a space where people feel respected, supported, and not judged. In a lot of ways, the person I was growing up, curious, caring, organized, and eager to help, is still very much the person I bring into the business today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.whitesandstaxservices.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitesandstaxservice/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitesandstaxservices
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/white-sands-tax-services
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/white-sands-tax-services-long-beach