Choosing a Tax Return Preparer
- When
hiring a tax preparer, it’s important to go with a
reputable company. First, check them out with the
Department of the Treasury. Then, make sure
they have a business license through the city or
county in which they’re located.
Here are some additional things to look for
when you’re hiring a return preparer:
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Avoid return preparers who claim they can obtain
larger refunds than other preparers. |
|
Avoid preparers who base
their fee on a percentage of the amount of the
refund. |
|
Use a reputable tax
professional that signs your tax return and
provides you with a copy for your records. |
|
Consider whether the
individual or firm will be around to answer
questions about the preparation of your tax
return, months, even years, after the return has
been filed. |
|
Never sign a blank tax form. |
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Be careful of preparers who
have your refund diverted to them (i.e. refund
advances/loans). Fraudulent preparers may
create a falsified income tax return, resulting
in a larger refund amount, after the taxpayer
has left the office. The preparer then receives
a larger refund amount due to the fraudulent
information placed on the return without the
taxpayer's knowledge. |
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Ask questions. Do you know
anyone who has used the tax professional? Were
they satisfied with the service they received?
|
For more information, review
the
IRS Abusive Tax Return Preparers Alert section
of this website.
