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5 things to check when hiring a tax preparer

February 15, 2015

The only thing worse than messing up your own taxes is paying someone who can’t do the job.

If you’re looking for professional tax help, once you figure out which type of tax preparer to use, then you must sure that person is competent.

Here are five quick tips to help you check out your tax pro.

1. Inspect Internal Revenue Service ID: Make sure the preparer has an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number, or PTIN. This ID number is required by Uncle Sam of folks who file returns for others for a fee. Note, however, that a valid PTIN is not an indicator of skill, education or expertise.

2. Examine credentials: To find out about a person’s tax preparation ability, find out whether he or she has a professional credential, such as Enrolled Agent, Certified Public Accountant, or attorney. These folks must meet standards and generally attend continuing education classes to remain part of the group. They also can represent you before the IRS. The education component also is critical given how often the tax laws change. This year it will matter more since we’re dealing with the many Affordable Care Act provisions that are showing up on our tax returns for the first time.

3. Investigate complaints: Check with your state’s board of accountancy for CPAs, your state’s bar association for attorneys or the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility for Enrolled Agents for any complaints that have been filed. If your state licenses or registers tax preparers — that’s California, Maryland, New York and Oregon — contact that regulatory office, too, for possible complaints or comments. And don’t forget the Better Business Bureau.

4. Find out about fees: Check on the preparer’s service fees upfront. Avoid those who base their fee on a percentage of your refund or those who say they can get larger refunds than others. This could be an indication that the preparer will fudge your filing to get you more money so he or she also will get a bigger payday.

5. Get the office hours: Tax concerns don’t end when your return is filed, be that in January or on April 15. It takes months for the IRS to get around to giving some returns closer looks. You want to make sure your tax preparer will be around if IRS questions arise. 

New online directory: The IRS has added a new tool to help folks take the first tax-help step, finding a good tax preparer.

The agency’s online searchable directory allows you to find tax preparers in your area who have PTINs and who are professionally credentialed (see tip #2) or who completed the IRS’ new voluntary Annual Filing Season Program, or AFSP.

My search of such tax pros in or within five miles of my Zip Code turned up 415 potential tax preparers. In my mother’s small town northwest of me, there were 19 possibilities. So I’m hoping that most folks will be able to find at least a few folks with whom they can start their search for tax prep/filing help.

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The More Tax Posts tab at the top of this page will take you to, well, more tax posts. You also can search below for a tax topic. 

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TAX-SAVVY WAYS 
TO WRAP UP 2026

It’s over! With October’s extended filing deadline behind us, it is now time to focus on year-end moves to reduce your 2026 tax bill. 

You’ll find ways to do just that on the Tax Tips page (see the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of the blog), as well as the separate tax tip pages for each month, notably October through December. If you’re on the Tax Tips page, you’ll find a monthly list at the end of this column. If you’re on another blog page, you can head straight to the October tips; at the bottom of that tips page you’ll find links to all the other 11 months’ collections of tax advice.

Not to spoil what you’ll find in that tax advice, but it does cover such things as tax deductions for charitable donations, investment moves that could reduce tax due, and ways to max out your tax-favored retirement savings. 

Finally, as the year winds down, things get hectic. There are lots of other things to occupy our time, like the much more fun upcoming holidays. But don’t lose sight of taxes, since timing is key. To be of use, most tax moves must be made by the end of the tax year. That’s Thursday, Dec. 31, which also is the last business day of the year. 

So that you don’t miss that final tax year deadline, also keep an eye on the countdown clock below. It will keep you on top of just how much time is left to make important, tax-saving moves. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

Credits/Deductions
Disasters
Family
Filing and Paying Taxes
Politics/Laws
Refunds
State Taxes
Tax Brackets/Inflation
Tax Tips
Comments
  • Angela Downer
    12 years ago Reply

    I really like the 5th tip that you listed, making sure to get the office hours of your tax preparer. Last time when I had my taxes prepared for me, I thought I was completely fine and dandy, and then the IRS called me a couple months later with a couple of questions on how I did my taxes. I have no idea about anything when it comes to taxes, and I was extremely lost. Thankfully, my mom knows a lot about taxes, and she was able to answer a lot of their questions for me, but just in case I’m always going to make sure to save the number and office hours of whatever tax preparation company I hire.

  • Marcus Fillion
    12 years ago Reply

    I didn’t think about checking office hours, but it makes sense. People are quick to forget about their tax return for another year as soon as they’ve submitted it, but that’s not always the best approach. It’s a good idea to consistently follow up with your tax preparer, so you’re not caught off-guard if the IRS does find a discrepancy. http://www.balkcom.com/services.html

  • Cogneesol
    11 years ago Reply

    This is a must read post for every taxpayer to better understand their tax filing responsibilities and the various benefits of filing a tax return.

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