If your taxes are complicated (for example, if you are self-employed or own rental property) or simply don’t want to pay taxes, finding the best tax preparer can help reduce your stress.
The reasonable tax attorney will ensure you get all the credits you are entitled to, avoid extension or modification requests, and pay penalties and fines.
Tips for choosing the best tax preparer
Here are ten tips for choosing a good tax advisor to complete your tax return.
1. Ask questions about their expertise
The best tax preparer may specialize in different areas of accounting, including business accounting, regulatory accounting, forensic accounting, and tax returns. If you prepare and file a personal tax return, look for a CPA specializing in tax returns.
2. Check the identification number
The IRS requires the best tax preparer to register with the IRS and have a taxpayer identification number (PTIN). To verify if a CPA has written with a PTIN, simply search the IRS directory of tax preparation offices.
3. License Verification
In addition, good tax preparers get licenses from the state. So check with the state tax office before applying. Most states offer databases of CPAs, and you can search by name to find important information such as CPA license status, date of issuance, expiration date, disciplinary actions, and licensing requirements.
4. Consider their experience
All CPAs qualify before offering their services, but a CPA with years of experience is likely better to understand tax law than a newly trained professional.
Make sure your best tax preparer has experience with remote filing. The IRS requires tax preparers who file more than 11 returns per year to provide e-filing services. Therefore, if your CPA does not offer e-filing services, they may not have much experience.
5. Make sure they are ready to sign
Make sure your top tax advisor signs your return and represents you with the IRS on all tax matters related to your rescue. Otherwise, you’ll need to find a CPA.
6. Seek advice
The best tax advisors will not only prepare and file your current year’s tax return, but they can also advise you on tax planning throughout the year to help you save the most taxes in the future.
7. Fee Determination
CPAs may charge hourly rates, flat rates, or other payment methods, depending on the complexity of the tax return. For example, the number of forms and supporting documents that must be submitted with the tax return. Make sure services include federal and state filings. CPAs generally cannot charge a percentage on tax returns, so it is best to avoid such fees.
8. Tax accountant fee comparison
How much does the best tax preparer cost? According to the National Association of CPAs, the average cost to prepare a non-itemized 1040 form for 2020 is $220. For numbered 1040 forms, this fee increases to $323.
9. Review of tax professionals who do not e-file
The IRS requires all fee-based tax preparers who prepare ten or more tax returns for their clients to use the IRS e-filing system. Moreover, if your tax preparer is not using e-filing, it may indicate that they are not preparing as many returns as you think.
10. Be sure to sign on the dotted line
Paid tax agents are necessary by law to sign their clients’ returns and include their PTIN. Don’t sign a blank tax return. A tax agent can steal your tax return by writing down anything, including account numbers.
11. Make sure your advisor has your back
Registered agents with PTINs, top tax preparers, and attorneys will represent you in IRS audits, payment and collection issues, and appeals. Only PTIN preparers can do this, even if they prepare your tax return. Professional preparers who have completed an annual filing period plan can only represent clients under certain conditions.
Accessibility is also important. Even if the filing season is over and returns are late, a good tax preparer will answer the phone, respond to emails, and visit.
Bottom line
The easiest way to find a local tax preparer is to type in “best tax preparer near me” online and pick one at random from the list. However, this is by no means the best way. If you want to find a qualified, honest and reliable tax preparer, you must try.
Author Bio
Villie Walters Ramirez is a 32-year-old sales assistant at a tax king who enjoys accounting and Tax Preparation Service. She has a post-graduate degree in accounting, and she has a severe phobia of cats. She enjoys traveling A lot.
