The Minnesota Department of Revenue suggests asking the following questions to your prospective new tax preparer:
- What kind of formal tax training do you have?
- Do you hold any professional licenses or designations?
- Do you belong to any professional organizations?
- Do you take continuing professional education classes each year?
- How long have you been preparing tax returns?
- Have you ever done a tax return dealing with my situation?
- Are you available year-round if I need to contact you?
- Have you ever been disciplined by any governmental authority?
- Will you represent me if I’m audited?
- How much do you charge and how do you calculate your fees?
- Can you provide me with names of references I can contact about your work?
Here are some additional things to consider:
- In my opinion, most taxpayers are best off preparing their own returns.
- I like Turbo Tax and other off the shelf software packages.
- Those who rely on paid preparers still need to understand how their taxable income and deductions are computed and reported.
- Your taxes are your responsibility even if you hire someone to prepare your returns for you.
- I mostly prepare returns for small business owners and others having unusually complicated tax forms.
- Mark S Gleason CPA
www.lakes-cpa.com
