Steve's path to the tax industry began several years earlier. On April 5, 2005, Steve and his future business partner, Todd Back, started a new job in the mortgage industry on the same day. The two quickly became friends and spent several years working together. By 2007, they began seeing major changes in the mortgage industry and could feel that the financial crisis was approaching. Rather than wait to see what happened, they started looking for a new opportunity. They eventually discovered the tax-preparation business and realized that, regardless of what the economy does, people will always need to file their taxes.

That decision changed the course of both of their careers and ultimately led to the creation of Titan Tax.

A Passion for Solving Tax Problems

Steve's greatest strength as a tax professional is problem-solving. He is comfortable handling virtually any type of tax situation a client may bring through the door. If he doesn't immediately know the answer, his philosophy is simple: figure it out and make sure it's right.

Steve particularly enjoys complicated tax situations. He likes digging into the details, understanding a client's circumstances, and finding the best possible legal outcome. Today, he primarily manages the Titan Tax operation and oversees the accuracy of the returns prepared by the company.

Steve personally reviews nearly every return before it is submitted to the IRS, with a strong emphasis on accuracy, compliance with IRS requirements, and making sure clients receive every credit and deduction they legitimately qualify for. He still prepares returns himself as well, particularly when a situation requires his experience and expertise.

More Than Just a Tax Return

Steve believes the biggest difference between a small business like Titan Tax and a large national tax-preparation company isn't necessarily the services offered—it's the personal relationship with the customer.

After working with many of the same clients for years, Steve knows them by name and genuinely wants to know more about them and their lives. He never wants a client to walk into a Titan Tax office and feel like they came to the wrong place or that they're just another number.

His goal is for every client to feel welcomed, respected, and confident that the people sitting across from them genuinely have their best interests at heart.

"The biggest misconception people have about getting their taxes prepared is that it's a scary experience. We're here to take the pressure off, make the process simple, and help you get the maximum refund you're legally entitled to."

Steve also believes great customer service starts before the client ever sits down with a preparer. One of the lessons he emphasizes with his employees is simple: put your smile on. Whether you're answering the phone or greeting someone at the door, customers can tell when you're unhappy—and they can tell when you're genuinely happy to help.

A Teacher and Leader

Steve describes himself as hardworking, tough, knowledgeable, and supportive. He expects his employees to follow IRS guidance, prepare accurate returns, and stay within the law while working to maximize the client's refund. Just as importantly, Steve believes in leading by example and will never ask an employee to do something he wouldn't do himself.

One of the most rewarding parts of his job is teaching new tax preparers. Steve has watched countless employees walk into their first tax season convinced they'll never understand the tax code. He enjoys watching that uncertainty disappear as they learn, gain confidence, and eventually have that moment when everything finally clicks.

Steve is proud of the many employees who have returned year after year because they enjoy working at Titan Tax and being part of the team.

Life Outside Titan Tax

Steve has spent most of his life in Cincinnati after moving there at age six, although he also spent part of his childhood in Springfield, Illinois. He is an avid sports fan, with the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Ohio State Buckeyes among his favorite teams. If forced to choose just one, the Cubs would probably win. Steve grew up playing baseball and was fortunate enough to attend Game 7 of the 2016 World Series when the Cubs ended their 108-year championship drought.

Outside of work, Steve enjoys hiking, especially exploring scenic parks and national parks. He loves traveling to new cities and countries, trying new restaurants, and often combines his love of travel and sports by attending sporting events.

Steve is also a lifelong dog lover and enjoys spending time with his family whenever he isn't working.

Nearly 20 Years of Titan Tax

After nearly two decades in the business, Steve doesn't take what Titan Tax has provided him for granted. The company has provided for him and his family for 20 years while giving him the opportunity to work alongside great employees and serve countless clients.

Ultimately, Steve believes the greatest compliment a client can give Titan Tax is a referral. When a client finishes their return and tells a friend, family member, or coworker to come to Titan Tax, Steve considers that the ultimate sign that his team did its job.

His goal is simple: when clients walk out the door, he wants them to be able to say, "I had an amazing experience at Titan Tax. You should go there."

For Steve, nearly 20 years in the tax business has always been about doing the job right, taking care of people, and making sure every client knows they matter.

Todd's path to entrepreneurship began with an experience that changed the way he viewed his career. While working for a previous employer, Todd arrived at work one morning to find the gates locked. Because of a dispute involving a union contract, every employee had suddenly found themselves out of a job.

That experience made a lasting impression on Todd. He decided he never wanted someone else to have control over whether he would have a paycheck the following week. That realization led him into sales, where he discovered a passion for working with people, and eventually toward starting his own business.

In 2005, Todd met Steve Kraft when they both started a new job in the mortgage industry on April 5. The two quickly became friends and spent several years working together. As the mortgage industry began changing dramatically in 2007, they recognized the opportunity to enter the tax-preparation business and eventually began building the company that would become Titan Tax.

Helping People Through Difficult Times

For Todd, tax preparation combines two of his favorite things: helping people and numbers.

There is nothing Todd enjoys more than sitting down with someone who may be going through a difficult time and knowing that he has the ability to help improve their situation. Over the years, he has built lasting relationships with many of his clients, some of whom have returned to him year after year.

Todd enjoys the day-to-day interaction with his customers and believes that the relationships built over nearly 20 years are one of the most rewarding parts of the business.

His approach is straightforward: every client matters, and every client deserves to know that someone is genuinely working for them.

The Personal Touch

Todd will be the first to tell you that Titan Tax doesn't necessarily offer something completely different from the large national tax-preparation companies. The difference, in his mind, is the level of personal care that comes with being a locally owned business.

Todd doesn't want clients to feel like numbers on a screen or names on a tax return. He wants to know his customers, understand their circumstances, and do everything legally possible to help them receive the largest refund they're entitled to.

"I want people to know they really matter," Todd says. "My customers truly matter to me, because they've helped feed my family for the past 20 years."

That philosophy was one of the reasons Todd wanted to build Titan Tax in the first place. He didn't like the sterile, impersonal environment he associated with many large tax-preparation companies. Rather than hide in an office and simply crunch numbers, Todd believes in being the person clients see when they walk through the door and the person they can turn to when they need help.

A Caring Leader

Todd describes himself as caring, helpful, friendly, and compassionate, and those qualities shape the way he works with both clients and employees.

He wants every person who walks into Titan Tax to feel welcomed and invited. More than anything, he wants them to leave knowing they are in good hands and that he and his team did everything they could to help them.

Todd also believes that giving clients the correct answer is more important than simply giving them the answer they want to hear. His goal is to maximize their refund while making sure their return is prepared accurately and within the law.

He believes that customers should leave Titan Tax feeling confident that they were treated fairly, honestly, and with genuine care.

Life Outside Titan Tax

Todd was born in Germany while his father was serving in the U.S. Army, but he grew up in Middletown, Ohio, where he later raised his own children.

Family remains an important part of Todd's life. He is a proud father and enjoys spending time with his family whenever he's away from the office.

Todd is also a devoted dog lover and has two dogs—a Cavapoo and an Aussiedoodle—whom he considers his children and treats as members of the family.

Nearly 20 Years of Titan Tax

After nearly two decades in the tax business, Todd is grateful for what Titan Tax has allowed him to build. The company has provided for his family while allowing him to build relationships with thousands of clients and work alongside many talented employees.

For Todd, one of the greatest rewards has been seeing the same customers return year after year. Their continued trust and loyalty mean far more to him than simply completing another tax return.

Todd's goal is that every person who walks through the doors of Titan Tax feels welcomed, knows they matter, and leaves confident that they received the best possible service.

After nearly 20 years, his philosophy hasn't changed: take care of people, treat them like they matter, and always work in their best interest.