I Need Help With My Taxes!!!

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Category: Individual Taxes

Written by Wendy Levenfeld

Hits: 2355

I tried to prepare my own IRS taxes this year and now have no fingernails (on either hand) and several bald spots in my normally full head of hair! While hard to admit…I need help. But how does one pick a good tax preparer? What should I be looking for?

Here are a few tips:

• Only consider either a CPA, Tax Lawyer or Enrolled Tax Agent (tax professional recognized by the United States Federal Government)
• How long has the office been in the area? (you don’t want a “fly by night operation)
  What’s their training and background?
• Check out their walls; certificates of professional associations and proof of continuing education is important
• Check with the Better Business Bureau and the State Board of Accountancy to see if any complaints have been lodged

Things to absolutely, positively avoid:

• Promises for greater refunds than anyone else is estimating
• Giving your preparer a percentage of your refund in lieu of a set fee.
• Never, ever, ever sign a blank return.

Remember you, not the preparer, are responsible for the accuracy of the return.

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