Tax Preparation - Pinellas County, FL

Tax Preparation - Pinellas County

FINDING A TAX PREPARER

Here’s How:

Ask yourself why you need a tax preparer. There are four basic needs for tax preparation services: speed, accuracy, creating a customized tax strategy, and managing a complex tax situation with accuracy and professionalism

If having your taxes done quickly is most important, you should go to one of the nationwide tax franchises. Employees at these companies are trained to get your taxes done quickly.

Insider Tip: Be sure to ask if your preparer is an enrolled agent, CPA, or has received advanced tax training.

If creating a tax plan for your future is most important, you should seek out the advice of a licensed tax professional, such as a Certified Public Accountant or an Enrolled Agent. These are highly-trained tax professionals who specialize in helping their clients pay the least tax possible.

Insider Tip: a little known fact is that local CPAs and EAs charge only slightly more than a franchise service and will provide much more personalized service.

If handling a complex tax situation is most important, you should find an accountant who specializes in your problem. Special circumstances include living outside the United States, day trading in the stock market, owning a small business, resolving an IRS audit, filing back taxes, or trying to settle your tax debts.

Insider Tip: All tax professionals specialize. Find a CPA or EA who has the experience, knowledge, and skills that you need.

Everyone wants their tax returns to be accurate. All tax professionals, even those at national franchises, should guarantee the accuracy of their work. If you have a particularly complicated tax situation, you should see a tax professional with substantial experience to help you.

Call around to a couple of tax offices to ask about their prices and how quickly you can schedule an appointment.

Ask what their price range is. Prices for tax preparation will vary depending on how complex your tax return is. Some professionals charge by the hour, or by how many tax forms you need to fill out, or even a flat fee for all work.

Ask about any guarantees the tax preparer offers. The tax preparer should be willing to guarantee the accuracy of the returns, be willing to amend the tax return if there was a mistake in the tax prep, and be willing to assist you in an IRS audit.

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