Check the person's qualifications.
- · Do they have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)?
- · Are they affiliated with a professional organization?
- · Do they attend continuing education classes?
Check the preparer's history.
- · Are they accredited by the Better Business Bureau?
- · Are they in good standing with their professional organization?
Find out about their service fees.
- · Avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of your refund or those who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers.
Ask if they offer electronic filing.
- · Any paid preparer who prepares and files more than 10 returns for clients must file the returns electronically, unless the client opts to file a paper return.
Make sure the tax preparer is accessible.
- · Make sure you will be able to contact the tax preparer after the return has been filed, even after the April due date, in case questions arise.
Never sign a blank return.
- · Avoid tax preparers that ask you to sign a blank tax form.
Review the entire return before signing it.
- · Before you sign your tax return, review it and ask questions.
- · Make sure you understand everything and are comfortable with the accuracy of the return before you sign it.
Submitted return should include preparer PTIN.
- · A paid preparer must sign the return and include his or her PTIN as required by law.
- · Although the preparer signs the return, you are responsible for the accuracy of every item on your return.
- · The preparer must also give you a copy of the return.
from IRS FS-2012-5:
No comments:
Post a Comment