{"id":5949,"date":"2019-04-05T16:39:43","date_gmt":"2019-04-05T12:39:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.awebtoknow.com\/?p=5949"},"modified":"2022-05-16T17:49:57","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T13:49:57","slug":"how-to-find-a-tax-pro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.awebtoknow.com\/how\/how-to-find-a-tax-pro\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Find A Tax Pro – The Process Has Changed"},"content":{"rendered":"
To find a tax pro for your business or personal taxes isn\u2019t quite as simple as it once was, but maybe that\u2019s for the best. Whereas much of the tax and accounting industry was <\/span>built on Word of Mouth<\/span><\/a> (i.e., referrals from friends, family, and colleagues), consumers now have a middleman to help them in the process: t<\/span>he internet.<\/p>\n While referrals are still a great way to find a great tax pro\u2014<\/span>82% of Americans<\/span><\/a> say they seek recommendations from friends and family when considering a purchase\u2014they don\u2019t have to be the only way. <\/span><\/p>\n Maybe your needs are fairly specialized. Or you require a tax pro with the ability to advise for multiple states. Or you just want to look outside your network.<\/span><\/p>\n With internet research becoming an integral part of the process, consumers now have substantially more power than they once did. In the past, an unhappy client could only tell their personal and professional network if they had a bad experience with a tax professional.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Or they could stand out in front of the business telling prospects to steer clear, but that was probably less common.<\/span><\/p>\n In this day and age, tax professionals are on a higher standard. Any issue a client has with them\u2014whether it was unprofessional behavior, a mistake in their tax preparation, or misrepresentation of their qualifications\u2014can be instantly shared across countless platforms, ensuring that all future prospects will see it as soon as they start researching.<\/span><\/p>\n This gives tax professionals major motivation to make their clients as happy as possible so that they\u2019ll leave positive reviews and boost the pro\u2019s online reputation. <\/span><\/p>\n Now <\/span>that<\/span><\/i> is a win for consumers.<\/span><\/p>\n Knowing we as taxpayers have the upper hand in this search process, what are other ways we can find a qualified professional that meets our specific tax needs?<\/span><\/p>\n If you aren\u2019t starting out with specific names of tax pros from referrals (or even if you are), it can be helpful to use a directory to find professionals who fit all your requirements. For example, TaxBuzz has a free \u201c<\/span>Match Me<\/span><\/a>\u201d service that handpicks pros for you based on your specific service needs, your location, their reputation, and more. <\/span><\/p>\n Once you start looking through profiles, you\u2019ll be able to view each professional\u2019s credentials, background, reviews, and more. This can help you skip some of the other steps as it brings together many of the things you\u2019ll be looking for.<\/span><\/p>\n The IRS requires anyone who prepares federal tax returns for compensation to have a <\/span>PTIN<\/span><\/a>, and to include it along with their signature on your tax return. This isn\u2019t something you want to find out about when all is said and done, so make sure to ask for it<\/a> before they get started.<\/span><\/p>\n While there are plenty of outstanding tax preparers who have not obtained additional certifications, it can be helpful to know what other types of credentialed preparers are out there. If you want to go a step further, find someone who\u2019s also a certified public accountant, a licensed attorney, enrolled agent, CRTP, or a pro who has completed the IRS\u2019 Annual Filing Season program.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Here\u2019s where that upper hand for consumers comes in: it\u2019s time to research the tax pro\u2019s reputation among past clients. Were they happy with the services provided? Did any of the clients have similar needs to yours? How well-established is this professional?<\/span><\/p>\n Reviews can tell you a lot \u2013 from what it\u2019s like to actually <\/span>be<\/span><\/i> a client of the tax pro to whether there are any shady spots in their history. Take advantage of these free insights and use them wisely.<\/span><\/p>\n First thing\u2019s first: avoid any preparer who bases their fees on a percentage of your refund, as this is a violation of IRS rules.<\/span><\/p>\n Overall, the fee structure for your chosen pro should be clear. While prices often vary based on the complexity of your return (e.g., which forms you need, additional schedules, anything abnormal about your return requirements), if a preparer won\u2019t talk about pricing, it\u2019s a major red flag.<\/span><\/p>\n Realistically, you should be thinking past this tax season when you hire a professional. Are they helping you plan for tax savings beyond just this year? Should an audit or examination come, are they prepared (and qualified) to represent you in front of the IRS? Do they prioritize being <\/span>available<\/span><\/i> for clients\u2014even outside of tax season? <\/span><\/p>\nGood news for consumers<\/b><\/h2>\n
Use a directory to find your ideal match<\/b><\/h3>\n
Ask for a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)<\/b><\/h3>\n
Decide about additional credentials (CPA, EA, etc.)<\/b><\/h3>\n
Check the reviews<\/b><\/h3>\n
Keep an eye on pricing<\/b><\/h3>\n
Think long-term<\/b><\/h3>\n