You finally got a time and now you are ready to file your tax return. So where do you go from this? Do you file your own tax or look for someone?
There are many tax preparers out there. Some honest, some full of fraud. It’s really difficult to pick one, and we really have to be careful about it as it might affect our life in the future. Especially for those of you who don’t have any idea on tax and tax rule, they might fool you by saying they will give you higher refund.
I don’t know why people are very fooled by that. The amount that was withheld from our pay check is based on a federal rate, and what we get as a refund is what the federal think they owe us. And based on your filing status, deductions, credits, and exemptions, you might be in a better chance of getting a good refund.
They are rules that go with that and all the tax prepares should follow the same rule. If someone said they will help you to get more refund, do not trust them. They will probably lie about your income, and put wrong deductions, or any false information. This will affect you later on, and if the IRS audit and find out that you information is wrong, you and the tax preparer will be in a big trouble. So don’t fall for that.
There are few things you can do to pick a good and professional tax preparers.
Here are some helpful tips to take when choosing a tax preparer.
- Talk to your friends and families. Getting a referral is the best way to do it as it will be safe. It means someone did choose them and was happy with their service. Accessibility is also important. You might have questions after you file your tax. If you picked any random one and have questions later on, you might not be able to contact them. So pick one who has been in the business for long and have constant location.
- Looking for credentials is also another good tip. Make sure the tax perparer is licensed and certified, or CPA, or an enrolled agent.
- As e-filing is safer than paper return, ask your tax preparer if they offer e-file service Paper return is more risky for identity theft and fraud, so avoid those who recommends paper returns.
- Tax preparers have a fixed rate. Don’t go with those who say they will charge on based on your refunds. As some prepares might promise you for high refund so they will take that as advantage.
And if you decided to pick one and get to the last step
- Do not sign a blank return. Some tax preparers might ask you to do that, but you will never know what kind of information they are going to include after you left. So, do not do that.
- Once your tax return is complete and your tax prepares ask you to sign, double check the return. Ask questions, lots of questions, and if they are not willing to answer you questions, that means, that tax prepare is not for you.
- You are not the only one who is required to sign your return, your tax preparers is also required to sign. Any professional licensed tax preparers have a preparer tax identification number. Make sure that they include that number when signing your return. And If they don’t have a preparer tax identification number, again, look for someone who does.
Hope now you have some idea, go ahead and get your tax done, but make sure you pick the most reliable and honest tax preparer.
