With the proper planning and prep work, you can reduce your tax burden and boost your cash flow. To help protect your assets and increase your chances of success, it’s essential to have a good team on your side. A good tax preparer can help with deductions, penalties, and debt avoidance. If you’re ready to get started, here are three ways you can find a good tax preparer:
Seek Advice From Colleagues
Before hiring someone to help you prepare your taxes, ask your colleagues who they used and what they thought. You never know — they might even offer to help. Chances are, people who work in the same industry as you will already have a professional they trust with their taxes.
Search Locally
While many reputable tax professionals provide nationwide services, choosing a local one can help you avoid costly issues down the road. If you live in a large city, you may also be able to find a nearby accountant or tax preparer who works out of a local office. When searching locally, look for a firm that specializes in taxes or maintains an excellent reputation in your community. Be specific with your search engine terms: “Tax Preparation Denver, CO” is way more likely to succeed in finding an accountant in Denver than a simple “Tax Preparation.”
Look For An Educated Professional
Ideally, the person you hire should be a CPA or an Enrolled Agent. These professionals are required by law to pass specific license exams. Consider hiring a tax attorney if you own a business and have more complex taxation concerns than a regular taxpayer. If you live in a more rural area, you may be able to find an Annual Filing Season Program participant. These volunteers aren’t necessarily certified but still have completed a program offered by the IRS. PTIN holders do have a preparer tax identification number, but that does not mean they are certified or are a volunteer AFSP participant, so proceed with caution!
Conclusion
Finding a good tax preparer is easier than you might think. To begin, ask your colleagues who they used and what they thought. You might even try searching online for a local accountant or tax preparer. While selecting a local professional is essential, you can reduce the risk of costly errors if you choose a CPA or tax attorney specializing in your industry. With these tips in mind, you can quickly and easily find a good tax preparer.