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You are solely responsible for the taxes you file with the authorities, and that makes it critical to exercise caution during the exercise. Hiring an expert for the task is essential, but you need to get someone with the requisite training and expertise if you wish to steer clear of fines, penalties, and incarceration. How then do you ensure that the person you entrust with your taxes is the best?

 

Online review sites come in handy during your selection because they contain all the pertinent information concerning a particular OTA Tax Pros or firm of experts. Check if they have a negative history, have faced disciplinary action, or are currently under investigation. Avoid professionals with these or other adverse mentions since you may not like the outcome of working with them.

 

Check the credentials of the expert online since various sites post the tax preparers who are authorized by the government to prepare and file taxes on behalf of individuals and corporations. Also, the professional body that the preparer belongs to will provide you with the current membership status of the person or organization you are interested in. A Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) is one of the necessary requirements of persons in practice, so make sure that the expert you approach has one.

 

The tax preparer must be very knowledgeable about the requirements of your current locality and state where you are required to file the taxes. Though national OTA Tax Pros laws have no boundaries, local laws often change, making it necessary to get someone with the requisite knowledge of the latest rules and procedures that govern the preparation and filing of returns.

 

Find out about the preparer's fees for the services he or she intends to offer. Note that the costs of the services should in no way be based on a percentage that the authorities will pay you as refunds. Additionally, a preparer who tells you that he or she will get you a larger refund than other experts should be avoided. It is essential that you get a brief explanation of how the professional fees are arrived at since many factors influence this aspect. For instance, the complexity of your returns, the presence of additional schedules, and other matters may result in a higher than usual fee.

 

The expert must be available all through since there are those who set up shop during the tax season but are never to be seen until the next one. Remember that the tax authorities may request for additional information, which you may find difficult to provide if the person who was responsible for the preparation of your returns is nowhere to be found.