8 Tips to Help You Choose a Tax Preparer
The IRS urges people to use care and caution when choosing a tax preparer.
Remember, you are legally responsible for what's on your tax return even if it
was prepared by an another individual or firm.
Most tax return preparers are professional, honest and provide excellent
service to their clients. However, unscrupulous tax return preparers do exist
and can cause considerable financial and legal problems for their clients.
Therefore, it's important to find a qualified tax professional.
The following tips will help you choose a preparer who will offer the
best service for your tax preparation needs.
1. Check the person's qualifications
Ask if the preparer is affiliated with a professional organization that
provides its members with continuing education and resources and holds them to a
code of ethics.
2. Check on the preparer's history
Check to see if the preparer has any questionable history with the Better
Business Bureau, the state's board of accountancy for CPAs or the state's bar
association for attorneys.
3. Find out about their service fees
Avoid preparers that base their fee on a percentage of the amount of your
refund or those who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers.
4. Make sure the tax preparer is accessible
Make sure you will be able to contact the tax preparer after the return has
been filed, even after April 15, in case questions arise.
5. Provide all records and receipts needed to prepare your
return
Most reputable preparers will request to see your records and receipts and
will ask you multiple questions to determine your total income and your
qualifications for expenses, deductions and other items.
6. Never sign a blank return
Avoid tax preparers that ask you to sign a blank tax form.
7. Review the entire return before signing it
Before you sign your tax return, review it and ask questions. Make sure you
understand everything and are comfortable with the accuracy of the return before
you sign it.
8. Make sure the preparer signs the form
A paid preparer must sign the return as required by law. Although the
preparer signs the return, you are responsible for the accuracy of every item on
your return. The preparer must also give you a copy of the return.
You can report abusive tax preparers and suspected tax fraud to the IRS on
Form 3949-A, Information Referral or by sending a letter to Internal Revenue
Service, Fresno, CA 93888. Download Form 3949-A from http://www.IRS.gov or order by mail at
800-829-3676.
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