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There is a vehicle bumper sticker available that asks "Who's Doing Your Taxes?" Does it matter?
Anyone who registers for a preparer tax identification number (PTIN) may prepare income tax returns for others. Numerous businesses advertise for us to choose their services while we are also frequently reminded by the internet, radio, television, printed media, etc. that we can access "easy free online" programs to prepare our returns. Why should anyone pay a professional to prepare his tax returns when he can so easily do it himself at no charge?
First of all, when one is aware that the IRS Tax Code is more than 2,000 pages long and that it has changes made to it every year, one might instead question if anyone should attempt to prepare his current income tax return without professional help! Secondly, when talking with folks who have used these systems, one soon learns that "free" is seldom "free". While these easy, online programs will usually work for some few taxpayers who have very simple returns, many taxpayers really need more help if they are to submit accurate returns.
Experienced tax professionals can recall situations when taxpayers who have used these systems have come to us with letters and large unexpected bills from IRS due to errors made in the filing. They are frequently further upset because the "accuracy guarantee" does not cover their situation.
Also, there are the times we have been asked to review a previously filed return and found major credits and/or deductions that were missed, so that the taxpayer paid considerably more than he actually owed or lost refunds to which he was entitled. (Under many circumstances we can recover this by filing an amended return.)
A COMPUTER PROGRAM IS A TOOL, NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR AN EXPERIENCED TAX PROFESSIONAL Having a phone conversation, chat, or email about a specific question on the return with an employee of an online company does not compare with having a professional thoroughly review and understand all aspects of the entire return.
The IRS recognizes three groups of tax professionals who have unlimited rights to represent clients with tax issues. They are attorneys, certified public accountants (CPAs), and enrolled agents (EAs). In acquiring and maintaining one of these credentials, they have demonstrated sufficient knowledge and competence to satisfy the IRS. In an effort to help taxpayers find qualified help, the IRS website includes "The Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications" giving the name, address, and credentials of recognized professionals by zip code. This is found at irs.gov/chooseataxpro.
In addition to these three professions, one other group is included in this directory: the Annual Filing Season Program--Record of Completion holders. These are non-credentialed return preparers who have completed minimal IRS sponsored continuing education for the current year and are therefore recognized by IRS in the directory with certain limited representation rights.
Since the taxpayer is ultimately held responsible for his return, it is important that each taxpayer carefully consider his individual circumstances and needs when he chooses who is doing his taxes.
Our Chamber of Commerce members include the following credentialed tax professionals, able and willing to help you at tax time, and locally available to you throughout the year:
Anyone who registers for a preparer tax identification number (PTIN) may prepare income tax returns for others. Numerous businesses advertise for us to choose their services while we are also frequently reminded by the internet, radio, television, printed media, etc. that we can access "easy free online" programs to prepare our returns. Why should anyone pay a professional to prepare his tax returns when he can so easily do it himself at no charge?
First of all, when one is aware that the IRS Tax Code is more than 2,000 pages long and that it has changes made to it every year, one might instead question if anyone should attempt to prepare his current income tax return without professional help! Secondly, when talking with folks who have used these systems, one soon learns that "free" is seldom "free". While these easy, online programs will usually work for some few taxpayers who have very simple returns, many taxpayers really need more help if they are to submit accurate returns.
Experienced tax professionals can recall situations when taxpayers who have used these systems have come to us with letters and large unexpected bills from IRS due to errors made in the filing. They are frequently further upset because the "accuracy guarantee" does not cover their situation.
Also, there are the times we have been asked to review a previously filed return and found major credits and/or deductions that were missed, so that the taxpayer paid considerably more than he actually owed or lost refunds to which he was entitled. (Under many circumstances we can recover this by filing an amended return.)
A COMPUTER PROGRAM IS A TOOL, NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR AN EXPERIENCED TAX PROFESSIONAL Having a phone conversation, chat, or email about a specific question on the return with an employee of an online company does not compare with having a professional thoroughly review and understand all aspects of the entire return.
The IRS recognizes three groups of tax professionals who have unlimited rights to represent clients with tax issues. They are attorneys, certified public accountants (CPAs), and enrolled agents (EAs). In acquiring and maintaining one of these credentials, they have demonstrated sufficient knowledge and competence to satisfy the IRS. In an effort to help taxpayers find qualified help, the IRS website includes "The Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications" giving the name, address, and credentials of recognized professionals by zip code. This is found at irs.gov/chooseataxpro.
In addition to these three professions, one other group is included in this directory: the Annual Filing Season Program--Record of Completion holders. These are non-credentialed return preparers who have completed minimal IRS sponsored continuing education for the current year and are therefore recognized by IRS in the directory with certain limited representation rights.
Since the taxpayer is ultimately held responsible for his return, it is important that each taxpayer carefully consider his individual circumstances and needs when he chooses who is doing his taxes.
Our Chamber of Commerce members include the following credentialed tax professionals, able and willing to help you at tax time, and locally available to you throughout the year:
Financial Accounting Services, LTD: 392.4464
Hill & Davis, CPA, PC: 392.1801
Honeycutt & McGuire, PC: 392.3159
and myself, Grace Robelen, EA: A+ Tax Service: 392.6229
