MN Dept of Revenue Advises Taxpayers on Hiring a Tax Preparer

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