To put it bluntly, tax season is always stressful – especially when taxpayers have to do their own taxes without any support. To say that the US tax code is anything but easy to understand complex would be a major understatement. This is a big part of why more than 33% of American taxpayers hire a tax preparer to handle their taxes.
Unfortunately, finding the right tax preparer can often be just as stressful as dealing with filing taxes in the first place!
It’s important to be 100% certain that only the right professionals have been hired for this critical job. After all, tax preparers are going to be handling pretty sensitive information (including income and personal identification details) while being responsible for filing documents on your behalf with the IRS.
This is why we have put together this quick list of tips and tricks to help people find the best tax preparer near you.
Always (ALWAYS) Verify Credentials
There are quite a few tax preparation services in the US willing to claim pretty much whatever it takes just to win more business.
Many unaccredited tax preparation services will stretch the truth, including suggesting (or outright claiming) that they have the credentials required by the US government prepare taxes for others – even if they don’t.
Taxpayers will also want to make sure that these professionals are at the very least either Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) or IRS enrolled agents (EA). They may also be a credentialed tax preparer.
Verify Individual or Company Reputation
Great tax preparers can be found with little more than a recommendation from someone that can be trusted, especially someone with personal experience working with that professional.
At the same time, though, it’s always a good idea to verify the reputation of any tax prep professional Local and national organizations and industry governing/overwatch bodies can provide more information about the reputation of specific tax preparers.
Look for tax-preparation individuals or professionals that are members of prestigious organizations like the National Association of Tax Professionals, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, National Association of Enrolled Agents or the American Academy of Attorney CPAs.
Tax preparers that are members of these organizations go through a rigorous vetting process just to be considered for membership. Taxpayers hiring providers that are involved in these groups can be comfortable that these professionals uphold the code of ethics and professional conduct requirements established by these organizations.
Closing Thoughts
Lastly, it’s always a good idea to make sure that the tax preparer you are working with is willing to put their name, their reputation, and their PTIN on your tax information.
Any “professional” that balks or hesitates at the idea of signing on the dotted line and confirming that your tax information has been prepared by them is one that should be avoided at all costs.
The IRS (as well as state and federal law) mandates that these professionals put their signature on any information that they prepare for clients. Be wary of any tax professionals that won’t commit to signing these documents. Never feel bad about walking away from these professional relationships if necessary, either.
This is why it’s so important to confirm that the tax-preparer or tax preparation service being considered have their own Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) provided by the IRS. Taxpayers should also confirm that this PTIN is attached to their tax returns. This is something that the IRS requires all tax preparers to do.
Recognize that the search for a tax prep professional is an important process. Research and due diligence are critical. The perfect tax professional and preparer can become an important partner in your tax planning for life. Dig deep into the reputation and results of the preparers under consideration to find the tax professional best for you and your requirements.
Robert Hall & Associates
We recognize that tax season is often a stressful time for businesses and individuals alike. Our Glendale accounting firm’s mission is to provide clients with innovative, yet practical tax solutions that improve profitability, anticipate needs and provide our clients with the highest level of customer service, resulting in a smooth, worry-free tax season. Some of our tax services include:
If you are looking for a better accounting or tax experience, we invite you to see the Robert Hall & Associates difference for yourself. Call us at 818.583.8524 or fill out our contact us form to schedule a free consultation.
