How much are you going to pay? Tax professionals may charge you in different ways for their services. Some charge by the hour, others have a flat rate, and in some situations, they charge depending on the complexity of the case.
Who will prepare your statement?
Not all tax professionals are equal and not everyone has the right to represent you before the IRS if your case is audited. You should not assume that a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is going to be the one to do your taxes. A tax professional could also be a tax attorney, or a registered agent. Use your visit to www.taxfyle.com/income-tax-return-calculator for the best results.
What are the credentials they must have?
You can find a CPA in your state by visiting the website of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and clicking “For The Public”. On the CPA verify page, you will be able to verify all of your credentials and other important information related to the professional you are trying to hire.
To find contact information, you should go to the website of the National Association of the Board of Accountants.
Can you qualify for your free return?
The Voluntary Tax Assistance Service (VITA) offers an IRS-certified volunteer program to process tax returns for people with less than $ 54,000 in wages, people with some form of disability, or who have difficulty speaking English. .
What services exist for those who are serving in the armed forces?
If you or someone in your family is an active member of the armed forces, you could opt for a free service. Many military bases have legal offices with centers where they do the preparation for free.
Will the statement be prepared electronically?
More than 90% of tax professionals use the electronic system. This helps reduce errors and get refunds faster.
What kind of professionals should I avoid?
Even among trained and certified people, there are those who do not do their job well. You should be careful with those who set their rate based on the refund you will receive, guarantee a refund, do not answer your questions or do not want to sign your statement.
What you need to know before buying tax software
Is your statement complicated? Generally, the more complex your preparation, the more advanced the software you buy will have to be. Free versions can only be used for the simplest statements.
Is your computer compatible?
Make sure that your computer has all the necessary requirements to be able to use the software. Similarly, check that the software will work on other mobile devices.
How are they going to help you?
When you choose a software, check that the company offers assistance either by phone, email or via live chat.
Do you have to make the state declaration?
If so, you may have to pay an extra amount for the software to do your taxes. As you have been able to verify, there are many factors that one must take into account before choosing the most convenient way to do your tax return. In any case, the most important thing is that these are done well to avoid problems with the IRS. If you don’t trust your knowledge, it may be a better option to speak to a professional.
