The Responsibility for What Goes Into Your Tax Return Ultimately Lies On You

Author: Keith Huggett 

When tax season comes around, the thought about who is going to prepare your taxes this year becomes a more pressing decision. Your financial status may have changed. You may have married, bought or sold a home, or had fantastic luck on the stock market. Or, things might have gone the other way. Either way, it's time to decide who is going to prepare your tax return. When choosing your tax preparer there are many qualifications you should consider. Here are the top ten:

1. What are your preparer's qualifications? Does your taxman belong to any professional organizations? Does he continue his education in any way?
2. What is his professional history like? The Better Business Bureau is there for a reason. See if there have been any issues raise with the BBB, the IRS, or the Board of Accountancy.
3. Will you be able to contact your preparer after the 15th? What happens if the IRS decides to audit your return?
4. Will there be any service fees? You should be able to receive your entire refund, assuming you are getting a refund. 
5. Provide documention. A reputable preparer is going to ask you for your tax documents. He is also going to be asking you questions about your documents and receipts, and any qualifications you may have for deductions, credits and other tax issues.
6. If you are ever asked to sign a blank return, that is a big clue to walk away.
7. Be sure to review your return with your preparer, before you sign it. Also be sure to ask questions, should you have any. Your preparer is there to answer your tax questions.
8. Your tax preparer needs to sign the return and include their PTIN.
9. You have the option to e-file your return. This is the easier and quicker option for filing your tax return. You may also choose to paper file, however, the IRS prefers e-filing.
10. Report abusive tax preparers to the IRS.You can report abusive tax preparers and suspected tax fraud to the IRS on Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer. If you suspect a return preparer filed or altered a return without your consent, you should also file Form 14157-A, Return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit. Download the forms on the IRS.gov website or order them by mail at 800-TAX-FORM800-TAX-FORM FREE (800-829-3676800-829-3676 FREE).

Choosing a tax preparer is often a worrisome task that comes up once a year. Either you stick with the preparer you have had for years, whether you think they are going a good job or not, because it's easier than finding a new one, or you do your taxes yourself, or perhaps you go to one of the large franchise tax services. 

At the Tax Office, Inc. our highly educated tax specialists go the extra mile to make certain that you are taken care of. If you have unanswered tax questions, contact us.