GLM Financial
Connect with us
  • Home
  • Accounting & Bookkeeping
    • Bookkeeping
  • Tax
  • About
    • Consulting >
      • Strategic Succession Planning
      • Strategic Business Planning
    • Staff Accountant Needed
  • Contact
    • Send us a Referral
    • Networking Calendar
  • Blog & Podcast
  • Social Responsibility

Ten Tips for Choosing a Tax Preparer

1/8/2018

39 Comments

 
Below is taken directly from the IRS. 

It’s the time of the year when many taxpayers choose a tax preparer to help file a tax return. These taxpayers should choose their tax return preparer wisely.  This is because taxpayers are responsible for all the information on their income tax return. That’s true no matter who prepares the return.

Here are ten tips for taxpayers to remember when selecting a preparer:
  1. Check the Preparer’s Qualifications. Use the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications. This tool helps taxpayers find a tax return preparer with specific qualifications. The directory is a searchable and sortable listing of preparers.
  2. Check the Preparer’s History. Ask the Better Business Bureau about the preparer. Check for disciplinary actions and the license status for credentialed preparers. For CPAs, check with the State Board of Accountancy. For attorneys, check with the State Bar Association. For Enrolled Agents, go to the verify enrolled agent status page on IRS.gov or check the directory.
  3. Ask about Service Fees. Avoid preparers who base fees on a percentage of the refund or who boast bigger refunds than their competition. When asking about a preparer’s services and fees, don’t give them tax documents, Social Security numbers or other information.
  4. Ask to E-File. Taxpayers should make sure their preparer offers IRS e-file. The quickest way for taxpayers to get their refund is to electronically File their federal tax return and use direct deposit.
  5. Make Sure the Preparer is Available. Taxpayers may want to contact their preparer after this year’s April 17 due date. Avoid fly-by-night preparers.
  6. Provide Records and Receipts. Good preparers will ask to see a taxpayer’s records and receipts. They’ll ask questions to figure things like the total income, tax deductions and credits.
  7. Never Sign a Blank Return. Don’t use a tax preparer who asks a taxpayer to sign a blank tax form.
  8. Review Before Signing. Before signing a tax return, review it. Ask questions if something is not clear. Taxpayers should feel comfortable with the accuracy of their return before they sign it. They should also make sure that their refund goes directly to them – not to the preparer’s bank account. Review the routing and bank account number on the completed return. The preparer should give you a copy of the completed tax return.
  9. Ensure the Preparer Signs and Includes Their PTIN. All paid tax preparers must have a Preparer Tax Identification Number. By law, paid preparers must sign returns and include their PTIN.
Report Abusive Tax Preparers to the IRS. Most tax return preparers are honest and provide great service to their clients. However, some preparers are dishonest. Report abusive tax preparers and suspected tax fraud to the IRS. Use Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer. If a taxpayer suspects a tax preparer filed or changed their return without the taxpayer’s consent, they should file Form 14157-A, Return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit.

​Once you have done your homework, make sure you give GLM an opportunity to help you. Learn More

39 Comments
Jordan link
5/21/2018 12:25:39 am

My sister has been looking for a tax preparation service, and was talking to me about a few good options. I'm glad you talked about how you should provide records and receipts for tax preparation. I'm going to have to look into a few good tax preparation services and see what we can find!

Reply
Gary Puntman link
5/23/2018 10:52:48 am

I agree that you should check the preparer's qualifications first. You want to make sure they have the right credentials to help you. They should also have plenty of years of experience in the business to help you get the best results. It's good to know that the IRS directory can help you find preparers with the right credentials, like you said.

Reply
Amethyst Boheur link
8/10/2018 09:45:14 pm

Thank you for the advice about checking the BBB for the background of the potential tax preparer to make sure that they have good records and check their credentials. I will mention this to my parents since they are the ones who are running the business. I overheard them talking about getting a tax preparer, and since I know how much the business means to them, I want them to choose the right person.

Reply
Derek Dewitt link
9/19/2018 07:32:33 am

I want to get a head start on filing my taxes this year, so thanks for sharing this. I like your point about checking the qualifications of the preparer first. I'll be sure to use a searchable directory so I can see who has lots of experience.

Reply
Gary Puntman link
9/27/2018 12:47:28 pm

I agree that you should check the tax preparer's history. That will help you see if there are negative associations with them. It's good to know which type of credentials and associations they should have to ensure they are the best as well.

Reply
Kit Hannigan link
10/5/2018 12:42:31 am

I really like your tip about checking with the Better Business Bureau to check for a prospect tax preparer's credentials and qualifications. If they have maintained a good standing with their field's authoritative bodies, then it could be a great indication of how hood their services are. This tip will surely come in handy should I need to hire a tax preparation service for my small business. Thanks!

Reply
Ellen Hughes link
10/5/2018 09:22:42 pm

I like that you suggested checking the Better Business Bureau to find out if the tax preparer that you're interested in has a record of disciplinary actions. My mother is planning to hire a tax preparer. Her goal is to only deal with a tax preparer that has a lot of happy clients because she wanted to make sure that she'll be provided with a quality tax service. I'll share your blog with her.

Reply
Hannah Neilson link
12/11/2018 06:16:12 pm

Thanks for the tip about finding out if a tax service will help you e-file your taxes. It would make sense to find someone who will do this in order to make it easier for you. My husband and I want to get a jump on our taxes this year, so we'll have to find a qualified service to help us file them.

Reply
Gerty Gift link
12/29/2018 01:15:32 pm

Thank you for mentioning that good tax preparers will ask for the taxpayer's records and receipts. My friend is going to be talking to a tax preparer soon and has been wondering what she should have put together before she goes to the meeting. I'll be sure to pass this along so that she comes prepared for anything.

Reply
Gerty Gift link
1/18/2019 09:46:13 am

I liked your suggestion to check their qualifications. My friend is looking for a tax preparer to help her this tax season but doesn't really know where to start. This seems like it would really show you who would be best qualified to help you.

Reply
Derek Dewitt link
1/24/2019 09:11:25 am

I need to prepare my taxes. I like your point about checking their history. I'll be sure to do this so I know they have a good track record.

Reply
Millie Hue link
3/12/2019 11:04:26 pm

Thanks for pointing out that we must check the credentials of the preparer to ensure that they are qualified for this kind of job. My sister should know this tip so that she will hire a good one. She will be needing their services because she will start their own business this year once they have been approved by the loan they need for the capital, so they have to learn the tax-related processes they need to pass.

Reply
Hannah Neilson link
7/1/2019 03:51:28 pm

Thanks for these tips on how to find an accountant. It would make sense to ask the BBB first. My husband and I are looking for a tax accountant, so we'll have to check with the BBB.

Reply
Frank Delaware link
10/11/2019 10:26:24 am

I have always been bad at taxes, and I was curious about how you would hire someone to help you out. I really like that you say to ask them about their service fees. It would be nice to know how much you will be paying them.

Reply
Tori Raddison link
12/13/2019 01:57:08 pm

I completely agree that you should ask questions if something isn't clear, especially since it's your tax form. You want to make sure that you understand everything so that you're not caught off guard. I'll be sure to ask any questions I have when I'm getting my taxes prepared.

Reply
Oscar Morrison link
12/16/2019 08:01:42 am

It's good to know we should look at a preparer's experience to see how well they've done in the past and to make sure they're licensed. My wife and I got married this last Spring and want to file jointly for the first time this next year. We'll probably look for a consultant somewhere around here to help us make sure we file everything properly.

Reply
kate hansen link
2/28/2020 11:43:09 am

It was really helpful when you said to check their qualifications online. My sister was telling me last night about how she is needing to get her taxes done, but she wants to hire a professional to help her since all of it is really confusing for her. I'll make sure to pass this information along to her so that she can know how to find a good tax preparer to help her!

Reply
Alicia Byrne link
6/1/2020 10:08:21 pm

I think it's great that you remind us that we should avoid tax preparers who base their fees on a percentage of our tax refund. I would think that it would be risky to give them our social security numbers and other important information that can compromise our data security. My sister is doing her tax refund soon and I shall remind her about the things she should and shouldn't do when hiring a tax preparer.

Reply
Adam Golightly link
6/18/2020 07:36:42 pm

My uncle has been having a hard time managing his taxes because he can't decide what lines go where and how things work. It could be really useful for him to get some help from a professional so that everything will be done correctly and will be managed better. I liked what you said about how he should review something before singing it to make sure that it is reviewed and make sure that the refund goes straight to him.

Reply
bookkeeping melton link
9/21/2020 12:01:27 pm

but I need to make sure you know how important this is. Why in the world would anyone want to hire someone to enter transactions and hope that they are right and wait a long time to find out? This is the most critically fundamental flaw in most small businesses. Generally, the lowest cost person in their organization is managing their finances
Thanks

Reply
Derek Swain link
9/23/2020 12:51:49 pm

You make a great point when you bring up the importance of researching a tax preparer online to ensure that they have the credentials needed to get the job done. Now that my sister has decided to open a furniture store next month, she would like to find a way to prepare her business for tax season, but she is worried that she will not be able to keep track of the receipts she got when she bought cleaning supplies for her building. She should depend on a professional to help her handle her taxes correctly.

Reply
megan alder link
10/2/2020 10:13:29 am

My mom and I recently moved to a new city, and we are looking for advice to choose a tax preparer. You made a great point when you said it's best to make sure I check the preparer's qualifications and service fees. I will make sure we do deep research and dig in the information.

Reply
Kristofer Van Wagner link
10/15/2020 12:46:13 am

I do agree that it is important for us to ensure that the tax preparer is well-qualified to perform tax duties for our company. It makes sense for us to make sure of their qualification and certification as it represents their skills and knowledge and expertise. Assuming I own a business, I would definitely want to hire someone who is well-qualified.

Reply
Bob link
11/11/2020 05:25:00 pm

I wasn't aware that taxpayers should do IRS e-filing. That seems a lot faster than having to do everything by hand mail. I'll have to hire a tax accountant to help me with 1099 filings.

Reply
rachel frampton link
11/16/2020 03:53:08 am

From my point of view, people who are running a start-up business must hire a tax preparer service because preparing a tax will consume most of their time. Well, of course, you're right that they must hire some with specific qualifications. Thank you for clarifying here that they must avoid those services that base their fees on a percentage.

Reply
Larry Weaver link
1/28/2021 04:25:16 pm

Thanks for the tip to make sure that you can get your tax return is through electronic means such as an e-file. I need help with my taxes this year because I do not have much free time. I'll look for a tax preparer who can help me figure out e-files.

Reply
Jeff J. Lewis link
2/2/2021 04:47:41 am

One of the best and comprehensive article on Ten Tips for Choosing a Tax Preparer, I am bookmarking it so I can read it again. Thank you, You really inspired me to learn more.

Reply
Curtis Butler link
2/12/2021 12:04:38 pm

I think it's great that you mentioned how a quality tax preparation expert will ask you various questions in order to learn more about your total income and credits. My brother has been thinking about opening a cleaning service this summer, but he needs to find a way to prepare his taxes once he purchases expensive vacuums to use for his business. Maybe he should think about finding a preparer that will take the time to learn more about his company.

Reply
Braden Bills link
4/12/2021 09:07:41 am

I want to make sure that I get my taxes figured out, so I think it would be good for me to get a professional to ensure that I do it properly. It makes sense that I would want to get a qualified tax preparer to help me out with this. They would be able to ensure that I get the right tax return.

Reply
Max Jones link
4/22/2021 12:29:35 pm

Thanks for the tip to review a tax return before signing it. I want to make sure I get a good tax return this year, but I don't feel confident doing my taxes on my own. I'll hire a tax preparer to help me out, and I'll review everything before I sign to make sure I get a good tax return.

Reply
Eve Mitchell link
6/25/2021 12:12:36 pm

I like that you mentioned that a good preparer will ask to see a taxpayer's records and receipts. I think it would help to have some assistance on our taxes since I am not good with numbers. I'd like to find someone who is reputable and can help me understand my own finances better.

Reply
Beverly Minyard link
7/15/2021 11:49:28 am

I like that you said to never sign a blank tax form or use a tax preparer who does. I got a grown-up office job recently and so I am going to need some help filling actual taxes this year. I will definitely use these tips when looking for someone to help me with my taxes.

Reply
Braden Bills link
8/2/2021 09:45:26 am

I want to make sure that I get my taxes put together properly. It makes sense that I would want to get a tax preparation professional to help me out with this. They would be able to ensure that everything gets handled correctly.

Reply
Tez link
8/18/2021 08:05:56 pm

Great tip about e-filing to speed up the process. I need to get a tax preparer to help out with my 1099. I'll have to hire someone who comes recommended from friends.

Reply
Henry Killingsworth link
9/7/2021 04:54:23 pm

You made a good point when you talked about how it is a good idea for taxpayers to use wisdom when picking an accountant to work with. My wife and I are having some trouble with our taxes since my wife is a self-employed hairdresser. We want to make sure we don't get in trouble with the IRS, so it would probably be a good idea for us to find an accountant to work with.

Reply
Olivia Smart link
1/26/2022 12:14:59 pm

Thank you for your advice to check their history with the BBB. My sister has been thinking about hiring a tax preparer for a while now and she's been wondering where she should look them up. I'll be sure to pass your advice along and see if it helps her to find someone that she can work well with.

Reply
Victoria Addington link
7/26/2022 05:18:43 am

I liked how this post pointed out that all tax preparers are required by law to sign returns including their PTIN. My friend is having a hard time preparing for their tax. I should advise him to hire a tax accountant for a smooth tax season.

Reply
corporate tax planning services link
8/5/2022 05:39:24 am

Found your post interesting to read. I can't wait to see your post soon. Good Luck with the upcoming update. This article is very useful, interesting, and effective.

Reply
sutherland tax agent near me link
8/26/2022 04:15:20 am

Inquire up front about the tax preparer's expected fees and how they will be paid. The IRS advises staying away from tax preparers who base their service fee on a portion of your refund. This might prompt a dishonest tax preparer to claim about offering a higher refund than their rivals or even misrepresent the amount of your refund when you file. Don't provide a preparer with any information, including tax returns, Social Security numbers, or other details, while enquiring about their services and costs.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    GLM's Blog

    In true blog fashion, the last parts are at the top of the page. Scroll all the way down and work your way back up to read them in order. 

    Tom Gosche

    Tom is the Business Development Manager for GLM. If you are interested in learning more about GLM's services, contact him:

    630-675-8971
    tomg@goglm.com
    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All
    Business Growth
    Business Planning
    Business Valuation
    Buying A Business
    Covid 19 Business Help
    Covid-19 Business Help
    Expense Savings
    GLM Promotion
    Human Resources
    Matching Ideas With Resources Podcast
    Minimum Wage
    Overtime Rules
    Podcast
    Selling A Business
    Sick Time
    Steering Direction Podcast
    Succession Planning
    Tax Tips

    RSS Feed

Picture
GLM, Inc.
 
300 N. Martingale Rd., Suite 750
Schaumburg, IL 60173-2097
 
Phone: (847) 884-1781
Fax: (847) 884-1830
E-mail: info@glmfinancial.com
Website: www.goglm.com 

Picture
Picture
Proudly powered by Weebly