The first step to providing your business with exceptional tax services is to find an expert tax preparer that will work with you throughout the tax year and not just when it is time to file your taxes. Once you have succeeded, and have found the tax professional to help prevent your business from making false claims and IRS audits, work closely with this individual because they are educated and trained to provide your business with so much more than simply completing your paperwork.
So, how exactly can a tax professional help your business?
They help with keeping your records organized
If you are not a thoroughly organized individual, keeping your records organized is one of the hardest things to do. Tax professionals are able to tailor a record keeping system just for your business’s needs.
Provide valuable advice and information
Your tax preparer should be available and able to provide you with professional tax advice to aid your tax decisions and filing process. If he or she is unable to do so, you need to begin a new search for a new tax guy.
Their most important function is to prepare your taxes
While your tax professional should be able to provide you with advice and perform other duties within the realm of your business’s taxes, their number one focus is to prepare your taxes accurately and on time. There are different forms that different businesses must complete; therefore, it is the responsibility of your tax professional to inform you about the appropriate forms you must file. They must also be able to file these forms as well without errors. If you file your taxes by yourself, get a tax professional to look over the forms for you to ensure that everything is done properly.
Provide you with advice when you must deal with the IRS
It is never wise to tackle the IRS on your own. If you receive notice that you will be audited, consult your tax professional and they will provide advice on what to do and what not to do when dealing with them. It is always a good idea to receive coaching from a tax pro before you meet with anyone from the IRS; it is even better if your tax guy can be with you during those uncomfortable and frightening meetings.
Provide Representation when dealing with the IRS
If you should ever need to meet with the IRS, as was mentioned before, your tax guy can represent you. However, they must be a CPA, Attorney, or enrolled agent.
How to choose the right Los Angeles Tax Preparer for your business
When choosing a tax preparer in Los Angeles, follow the steps below and you will always choose the right tax pro for your business.
Use referrals
While it is easy to do a Google Search, the best way to finding the right tax professional to provide for your business’s tax needs is to talk to people and have them refer someone to you.
Choose one through advertisements – another way to find a professional to do your taxes is with the use of advertisements. Use the internet, directories, trade journals, and the newspaper to learn about tax professionals within your area.
Use referral panels and professional associations
The CPA societies and local bar associations can provide you with a list of qualified tax pros. You may also visit The National Association of Enrolled Agents if you would prefer working with an Enrolled agent when doing your taxes.
Always interview more than one person or tax company
The least amount of people you should interview is three and always learn if they are available to provide information and advice on an as needed basis, rather than only during tax season.
Test what they know
Go prepared for your interview with different questions in mind to ask. If you cannot think of any questions, research some and quiz the tax preparer to determine if they know exactly what they are doing and how best they will be able to represent you if you should ever get audited.
Has your gut ever told you something before? They say once you follow that feeling deep down in your gut, you can never go wrong. Do you feel confident in the preparer’s skills and knowledge? If your answer to this question is yes, prolong the conversation a little and see if the feeling changes; if not, this person may just be the one you need.
Once you have discussed fees and the preparer is not charging a percentage of your taxes as payments decide on the professional you want to use and provide your business with all the tax help it needs.
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