WARNING!!
WARNING:
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE FILING YOUR TAX RETURN!
It’s your tax return and you should know what’s on it and why
And if your Tax Preparer isn’t telling you then you are using the wrong Preparer.
Here are 6 important facts that you need to know before hiring any Tax Preparer
1. Make sure they are registered with the IRS and have a Practitioner Tax Identification Number. It is a Federal requirement that all Tax Return Preparers are registered to practice with the IRS. If they don’t have a PTIN do not use them unless the are a CPA as they are not required to get one.
2. How many years have they been in business in your area? Ask them for recommendations and people you can call that they currently do work for or have in the recent past. Some companies hire temporary seasonal help to file tax returns with only a few hours of training and no real experience. Avoid them at all costs.
3. Do they ask you for copies of documents like your business license, social security cards, receipts, quarterly tax reports for the year you are discussing? If not they may not be too worried about having the details neat and tidy and this is not someone you want preparing your Federal Tax Return.
4. Have they ever been thru an audit for one of their tax clients? If so when? How did it turn out?
5. Do they take the time to sit down face to face with you before preparing your tax return and ask you questions? Do they go over your financial numbers to make sure that they understand your circumstances and/or your business? A lot of times just having conversation with my clients I am able to pick up on things that wind up having a significant effect on their Tax Return that if we had been having conversation casually may not have been brought up.
6. How do they charge for preparing your Tax Return? It should never be based on the size of your refund. If it is RUN!! And don’t look back.
7. Beware of bait and switch advertising to get your taxes done and it won’t cost you. Or they may give you a low price over the phone and when you show up to their office the price is way higher. They may even make outrageous claims of finding thousands and thousands of dollars in error’s on prior year returns prepared by other tax preparers.
I see too many new clients come into my office every year and have no idea what their prior year Tax Preparer has been doing on their returns. And that is down right scary to me and should be to you too.
If you have any questions or concerns about your Federal Taxes I am happy to answer any questions you may have just email me at annissacoy@live.com or call 509-684-0767.
Annissa's Tax Facts 