| Before you hire someone to prepare your tax | | | | especially if you are self-employed or run a |
| returns, you want to conduct an interview and | | | | business. |
| ask several important questions. The answers to | | | | 4. Do you efile returns? |
| these questions will determine whether this tax | | | | You want a preparer who is up-to-date with the |
| preparation service is qualified to provide what | | | | latest technology in the tax world. Efiling has been |
| you need. | | | | around for many years now, and is a wonderful |
| 1. How long have you been doing tax returns? | | | | way to improve the efficiency of filing tax |
| If it's less than three years, you may be dealing | | | | returns. Your return will be processed much |
| with someone who really doesn't have enough | | | | faster with efiling, and there are error checks built |
| experience. You want a tax preparer who's been | | | | into the efiling system that greatly increase the |
| around the block a few times. Tax laws change | | | | likelihood of a mistake-free return. If your tax |
| every year. And it can be a tremendous help to | | | | preparer doesn't offer efiling, it's time for you to |
| you if he knows not only the laws in effect | | | | find someone new. |
| today, but also how these laws have changed | | | | 5. Do you have a guarantee? |
| over the years. | | | | A good tax prep service will provide a guarantee |
| 2. How many tax returns have you prepared? | | | | at no extra charge. If he makes a mistake on |
| Obviously, the more the better. If this person has | | | | your return that causes you to owe more tax, |
| only done a handful of returns over the years, he | | | | he should reimburse you for any penalties and/or |
| just hasn't dealt with enough situations to | | | | interest charges incurred. Of course, it's only fair |
| adequately understand the complex world of | | | | that you pay the additional tax, because had the |
| taxes. If the answer if less than 1,000 you should | | | | return been done correctly the first time, you |
| probably look elsewhere. | | | | would have paid the tax then. And if he makes a |
| 3. What kind of tax returns do you prepare? | | | | mistake that requires you to file an amended |
| There are many different kinds of tax returns: | | | | return, it only makes sense that the amended |
| personal income tax, business income tax, payroll | | | | return will be done for free. Any provider of tax |
| tax, sales tax, trusts and estates. The list goes | | | | preparation services will see the need to make it |
| on and on. You want a tax preparation business | | | | right when he's done you wrong. |
| that is experienced in all types of returns, | | | | |