5 Tips: How To Pick A Tax Preparer
If you're among the majority who rely on a professional to prepare your income tax returns, it's never too early to launch your search for the right person for the job.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers these suggestions when hiring a tax preparer:
- Beware of those who claim they can obtain larger refunds than others, who guarantee results or whose fee is a share of your refund.
- Ask who will be preparing your return and ensure that you will be able to contact that person directly.
- Make sure the preparer has the proper credentials to meet your needs. You may not need the expertise of an attorney, a certified public accountant or an enrolled agent (licensed by the IRS), but only these professionals are able to represent taxpayers in all matters before the IRS, including audits, collection actions and appeals.
- Find out whether the preparer belongs to a professional organization that stipulates continuing education and a code of ethics.
- Determine whether the preparer has any questionable history with the Better Business Bureau, your state's board of accountancy, the state bar association or the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility.
Take the next step
Increase how much you're saving. A small step today may make a big difference in the future.
