Finding the right expert to help you prepare for taxes requires knowing your options. Here is what to consider when hiring a tax preparation service.Across the United States, over
1.2 million
tax preparation professionals serve the American people every tax year
No one wants to get on the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) wrong side by filing tax returns that aren't fully prepared. While that may be your desire, the professional you hire for that service may inadvertently end up getting you in trouble.
Here is a deep dive into five fundamental things to think about when hiring a tax preparation service provider to help you avoid such a nightmare scenario.
1. Relevant Qualifications
There are two groups of folks you can hire in the tax preparation world - Those with credentials and non-credentialed preparers. Who you choose will depend on your tax preparation goal.
Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are trained to handle complex account and tax duties. To become a CPA, one must have at least 150 hours of college accounting classes under their belt. Furthermore, one must pass a comprehensive CPA exam.
Each state has its regulations governing CPAs operating within its borders. As such, you have high visibility into their track record.
An Enrolled Agent
(EA) is a tax preparer commissioned by the IRS. While an EA doesn't need an extensive educational background like a CPA, they still have to impress the IRS to serve you.
A Non-Credentialed Income Tax Preparer is a seasonal or part-time tax preparer who does not require any qualification to operate beyond a GED. The IRS doesn't regulate non-credentialed tax preparers.
Before you opt for the cheapest option, remember this - Only a CPA, an EA or a non-credentialed preparer holding a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) can represent you before the IRS.
Therefore, if you know you'll need to contend with the IRS
for auditing
or other matters, your choices are limited. Furthermore, a non-credentialed tax preparer can't help you handle tax refunds without meeting special regulations in 20 states.
Anticipate the full scope of your tax needs to determine what qualifications you need from a tax preparer if they are to serve you.
2. Applicable Experience
A tax preparer should ideally know the ins and out of the process. For many people looking to hire such a professional, that expertise ranks high
among the benefits
of working with a tax preparer.
It's, therefore, a no-brainer that before you hire a preparer, you need to vet their experience. Have they ever put together axes before? If so, which taxes?
That might seem like a fundamental question, but it's a vital one. All taxes aren't the same, and every client comes with a different set of tax needs. The tax preparer you plan to work with needs to be familiar with tax needs similar to yours.
For example, some preparers can handle 1040-EZ forms without batting an eyelid. Others are experts in Schedules C and/or E taxes.
No matter how well-rounded a tax preparer is, they can't handle all types of taxes. If they tell you they can do that, run for the hills. Pair the proper qualifications with experience to gauge if a tax preparer can serve you satisfactorily.
3. Prod the Fee Structure
The tax preparer you can hire will depend significantly on the budget you have for the services.
Online tax preparation services often offer a free tier for prospective clients to road test the platform. You can leverage that to have a keener understanding of how much you are willing to pay for what the platform offers.
If you opt for offline service providers, you'll need to ask the professional upfront how they charge. It's advisable to get several quotes so you can shop around. Comparing preparation fees helps you gauge the market average, so you get the most value for money.
A crucial bit to checking out tax preparer fees is going beyond asking them how much they charge. You need to learn how they will determine their costs.
What does this look like?
How much a tax preparer will charge you depends on a few variables. The factors range from how complex your tax returns situation is to whether you need extra schedules. If your tax needs include unusual line items, that will influence the total cost.
As with any other professional, there are some black hat tactics to avoid. When it comes to cost matters, you want to avoid tax preparers who want to charge you a percentage of your anticipated refund.
Such professionals will have a flawed incentive egging them on to inappropriate deductions and credits. And you don't want to go down that road and unwittingly set yourself up against the IRS.
4. Will They Sign Your Returns?
Another seemingly straightforward yet insidious issue is there the tax professional you hire will sign your returns.
Only a tax preparer with a PTIN can do that. And even then, some professionals with that documentation still won't append their signature. Others will set lower rates to attract clients who don't realize their tax preparer won't sign their return until it's too late.
Before signing on the dotted line, you should ask the service provider if this is part of their service agreement. Be wary of a tax preparer who won't sign the tax returns they prepare for you.
5. The Tax Preparer Should Be Available Off-Season
Tax preparation is not a one-and-done affair meaning that even after you file your documentation with the IRS, you may still need assistance. Look out for what the tax professional offers on follow-on consultation after filing.
If the IRS asks for more information from you post-tax season, you need to be a tax preparer who can still be on call.
Don't Settle When Hiring a Tax Preparation Service Provider
Tax preparation is critical to helping you comply with the law. Since this is an essential function, you need to contact a competent tax preparation service provider.
Make a concerted effort to understand what makes a reliable tax preparer in order to know what to look for when hiring one.
Getting the right kind of tax preparation skills is non-negotiable for compliance.
Talk to us
today for exemplary tax, consulting, and accounting services that will keep you and your business in good standing with the law.