How to Choose a Tax Preparer

Finding a good tax preparer is not an easy task.the IRS and State tax agencies.
Here are a few hints that will help you avoid theIs your Preparer Full Time or Part Time?
problems that many Americans experience when theyOnce you find a knowledgeable preparer be aware
randomly choose their tax preparer.that we are all human and are prone to make
Does the Preparer Have the Knowledge?mistakes. So the question is:
Check your preparer's web site to find out if he offersWill you be able to find the preparer if one of you
jobs or franchises. Click on the tabs and find out whatmake a mistake on your taxes?
the preparer requires for someone to buy a franchiseAlways keep in mind that if you file taxes in April an
or work for them. You will find that most offererror notice may come out between May and July
franchises without requiring any knowledge of orand most likely you will want to discuss the error with
background in taxes yet they promise to have themthe one that prepared your taxes.
up and running within three to nine months with minimalWill your preparer be available?
training. This means that most of these tax preparersAnother situation to be mindful of is: you may have
have minimal knowledge of taxes.omitted something that could change your tax. It saves
Those of you that have attempted to prepare youra lot of time and expense when the person that did
own taxes or helped someone else do theirs alreadythe original can update and amend your taxes soon
know that there is a lot of study, research and trainingafter you discover the omission.
involved in knowing about the various schedules,Be aware that there are people out there that will act
worksheets and the laws that that must be used toas preparers just to get your information then use it
take each exemption, deduction and/or credit forfor illegal activates.
which you may qualify.Be sure that your preparer can be found latter.
Before a preparer can do an adequate job they mustIs your Preparer's Main Business Tax Preparation or
invest several thousand hours in learning Tax Law,Loans?
Accounting, IRS functions, Tax Regulations and annualSometimes you can't tell when you go into a
changes in The IRS Code.preparer's office what his business really is. Often
Indeed, by the time a tax preparer has mastered allpreparers put more effort into getting you to go for a
the knowledge that he needs to do his job he could fillrefund anticipation loan then they do to get you to
a doctorate program in taxation.have them do the taxes. Always choose a preparer
Without this investment in mastering federal and statethat is in the business of preparing taxes so he will
taxes a preparer may leave his clients open to delaysconcentrate his efforts on your tax preparation rather
in refunds, increases in tax and penalties and audits bythan to trying to give you a loan.