Choosing A Tax Return Preparer

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Choosing A Tax Return Preparer
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• Tax return preparation can be a lengthy and mind
  boggling affair, with many individuals preferring
  to leave their returns in the hands of a
  professional. Millions of returns were filed last
  year with the help of tax return preparers, but
  just how do you know which one you should choose?

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• Are there different types of tax preparation
  professionals?
• Yes, with each one being trained to a different
  degree and with varying levels of experience.
  Recently the IRS has begun a voluntary program to
  encourage tax return preparers to take part in
  education courses. Known as the Annual Filing
  Season Program or AFSP, its main focus is on
  those who are not associated with groups or
  professional associations. They issue each
  preparer with a PTIN or Preparer Tax
  Identification Number.

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• Whose responsibility is it to check the
  credentials of a tax return preparer?
• The responsibility lies with the tax payer, and
  you will need to ensure that you ask for
  references and an assurance that their office
  will remain open once your return has been filed,
  in case you or the IRS has any further questions
  afterwards.

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• What are the different types of tax preparer
  professionals?
• Firstly, there are what are known as tax
  preparation chains a highly popular choice with
  individuals who have relatively straightforward
  returns, those who want a quick tax return
  turnaround and those avoiding higher charges of
  some tax professionals.

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• Then are those tax return preparers who
  specialise in certain areas, and so if your tax
  circumstances are a little more complicated (such
  as you own a business or have multiple incomes)
  then these might best suit your needs. Enrolled
  agents or EAs, for example, are licensed by the
  federal government and have the authority to
  appear instead of the taxpayer at any IRS meeting
  or hearing. Youll find that many of these agents
  are former employees of the IRS or at the very
  least, have completed comprehensive IRS
  examinations. You will need to check their
  specific field of expertise before you hire them
  though.

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• CPAs or Certified Public Accountants may not be
  an expert on tax issues, despite the fact that
  they will have passed the relevant states
  qualifying accounting exam. They can help you
  formulate an overall tax plan though, and help
  you through any complicated financial situations,
  but you will need to ask them what their
  experience is with filing tax returns.

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• Tax Attorneys are there to offer you help and
  guidance should you encounter any kind of legal
  issue with respect to your taxes, but they dont
  necessarily specialise in filing tax returns.
  Should you be facing any criminal tax charges, an
  audit from the IRS, or owe back taxes, then you
  will definitely want to think about hiring a tax
  attorney, and they have the authority to
  represent you in court, too.
• For further information regarding tax return
  preparers in your area, it would be best to check
  with your local bar association chapter.

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• At Heyer Associates, we proactively assist our
  individual and small business clients in meeting
  their goals. Our key area of focus is ensuring
  that our clients remain compliant with federal
  and state tax laws by providing them with high
  quality accounting and tax preparation service in
  Miami. If you are looking for an accountant in
  Miami, Heyer Associates would be a right option.