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 href="http://www.IRS.gov">http://www.IRS.gov or order by mail at

800-829-3676.