People depend on the services of tax professionals to have a clean record of taxation and submit their returns in good time. However it can be difficult to assess the level and quality of these services if you do not have a clear idea of what to look for in a tax preparer.
Just like anywhere else in the service industry, there are those who are out to take advantage of a client’s knowledge gap. There are others who are simply not great at what they do. That is why the United States tax authority- the IRS has provided a few guidelines that should help you identify the tax preparer that will get the job done right.
According to the Internal Revenue Service, you are legally responsible for any information provided on the tax return. As such, it is imperative that the return is filed properly, which makes the services of a tax professional extremely valuable.
You will be able to identify a qualified tax preparer by their Preparer Tax Identification Number or PTIN. This identification is a requirement for all of them. As a client you shouldn’t be reluctant to ask for the tax professional’s qualifications.
A good paid tax preparer will be readily willing to respond to any of your questions and support information that will help them earn your confidence.
Any professional who has been in the industry will have a strong history of service. In most cases, a well-qualified expert will have a sound history of work. The records will often be available and they should be readily willing to produce them for your regard upon request.
Even better today, you can assess the record of work of the tax professional by simply looking at their websites. There should be genuine client testimonials that should give a glimpse into the level of client satisfaction they can deliver.
The Better Business Bureau is also a resourceful place to check to find out if the tax expert has a questionable past. Look for indicators such as disciplinary actions and the preparer’s license status. All credentialed tax professionals will have some useful information available at the bureau.
The State Board of Accountancy on the other hand will provide you useful information if you are doing a background check on CPAs. And for attorneys, you will find the information at the State Bar Association.
You can read the credibility of the preparer from their service fees terms. Avoid those that base their fee on particular percentages of your refund. Also, keep away from preparers who promise to get higher refunds than their equals.
Ensure that any due refund is deposited into your own bank account or sent to you, and not to the preparer’s bank account.
Before you settle for the services of any tax professional, always confirm to be sure that they will be available.
You must be certain that the professional is reachable, and that you have a means to contact them after filing your return.
You will need to get in touch with your tax preparer even after the April tax 15 due date. Questions can always arise at a later date and in such cases you will need the preparer. It may be a great obstacle to be unable to reach them at such times.
You should be comfortable with a tax preparer who asks to see your taxation records and respective receipts.
It is from the questions they ask that they will be able to put together the data to report in your total income section and assess the tax benefits to which you are entitled. These people should work closely with you as does a partner.
Prepare to get the details of your tax credits, tax deductions and other items related to your taxation.
Your preparer must not only sign the tax return, they must also include their PTIN as a requirement by the law. Any move to the contrary should be a ground for alarm. The preparer is also supposed to provide you with a copy of the return.
Finally, a good tax preparer should be as transparent with your as possible. They will show respect for your right to information. They should be willing to inform you, even educate you about the use of the various tax documents where you are not well conversant or where you do not understand.
With these tips, you are in a better position to identify the tax preparer whose service you will be satisfied with. You are also in a better position to negotiate a good service with your preparer of choice.
Shannel Reed|
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