Things to Look for in Your Tax Preparer

Qualifications

Before deciding that someone should prepare your taxes, check to see what qualifications they have. By law, every tax preparer must have a preparer tax identification number, or PTIN, with which he signs your tax documents. This ID only means that he is registered with the IRS, however. You should also make sure he is affiliated with a professional organization that requires ongoing training and education, and enforces a code of ethics.

A prospective tax preparer should also have a clean record. Check with your local Better Business Bureau to verify that she has sound business practices and that no questionable claims have been filed against her. If you plan on using a tax attorney, certified public accountant, or enrolled agent, check the state bar association, state boards of accountancy and the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility respectively to verify licensure status and check for any disciplinary action.

When seeking a tax preparer, also look to see how thorough he is. A reputable tax preparer will ask for documentation for all of your income and expenditure claims, and will ask you multiple questions as he puts together your tax documents. He will never ask you to sign a blank tax form, ask for a percentage of your refund as payment, or promise you a higher refund amount than you will be able to get elsewhere.

You should be able to get in touch with your tax preparer for months and even years after you have filed your taxes. Before deciding on a tax preparer, ask friends or family if they know anyone who has used the person's services before.