Welcome to Tax Season 2011: Points to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Tax Professional

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- If you pay someone to prepare your tax return, the IRS urges you to choose that professional wisely. Taxpayers are legally responsible for what's on their tax return even if it is prepared by someone else. So, it is important to choose carefully when hiring an individual or firm to prepare your return. Most return preparers are professional, honest and provide excellent service to their clients.

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Here are a few points to keep in mind when choosing someone else to prepare your return:

1. Ask if the preparer is affiliated with a professional organization that provides its members with continuing education and resources and holds them to a code of ethics. You can call the California Society of Enrolled Agents at (800) 777-2732 to find an Enrolled Agent near you. Why choose an Enrolled Agent? Enrolled Agents are licensed by the Department of the Treasury to advise and represent clients specifically in matters of taxation and to help ensure that all deductions and credits are applied accurately and fairly. The California Society of Enrolled Agents represents thousands of EAs statewide, and requires adherence to a Code of Ethics & Rules of Professional Conduct and additional tax education beyond that required by the government.
2. Check on the preparer's history. Check to see if the preparer has a questionable history with the Better Business Bureau and check for any disciplinary actions and licensure status through the state boards of accountancy for certified public accountants; the state bar associations for attorneys; and the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility for Enrolled Agents.
3. Find out about their service fees. Avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of your refund or those who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers.
4. Make sure the tax preparer is accessible. Make sure you will be able to contact the tax preparer after the return has been filed, even after the April due date, in case questions arise.
5. Provide all records and receipts needed to prepare your return. Most reputable preparers will request to see your records and receipts and will ask you multiple questions to determine your total income and your qualifications for expenses, deductions and other items.
6. Never sign a blank return. Avoid tax preparers that ask you to sign a blank tax form.
7. Review the entire return before signing it. Before you sign your tax return, review it and ask questions. Make sure you understand everything and are comfortable with the accuracy of the return before you sign it.
8. Make sure the preparer signs the form and includes their PTIN. New regulations require all paid tax return preparers including attorneys, CPAs and Enrolled Agents to apply for a Preparer Tax Identification Number — even if they already have one — before preparing any federal tax returns in 2011.A paid preparer must sign the return and include their PTIN as required by law. Although the preparer signs the return, you are responsible for the accuracy of every item on your return. The preparer must also give you a copy of the return.

You can report abusive tax preparers and suspected tax fraud to the IRS on Form 3949-A, Information Referral or by sending a letter to Internal Revenue Service, Fresno, CA 93888. Download Form 3949-A from  www.irs.gov.  

Visit www.CSEA.org or call (800) 777-2732 for more information.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Kim Kastl, EA

http://www.profnetconnect.com/kim_kastl_ea

SOURCE California Society of Enrolled Agents

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