Tax Preparation Services - Why You Want and Need An Experienced Tax Preparer
Finding a good tax preparer can be a challenge.
When it comes to credentials, there is no substitute for years of experience.
Here's a story that will help communicate the importance of hiring an experienced tax preparation service rather than a novice.
My father recently had heart surgery.
My mother and I were sitting anxiously in the waiting room before the operation when the doctor came in to speak with us briefly.
We exchanged pleasantries and then I asked him, "How many times have you done this particular type of procedure?" He smiled and said, "Thousands of times.
" How do you think I felt after hearing that? Was I more confident that he knew what he was doing and that my father was in good hands? Of course.
But what if he had said, "Oh, about 20 times.
" Then how would I have felt? I would not have been nearly as optimistic about the potential outcome of the surgery.
When it comes to tax return preparation, we are not talking about a life and death situation.
We are talking about your money.
When you hire a tax preparer, you are putting your financial well being into the hands of another person.
And it doesn't take much for a tax preparer to cause much harm to both.
Consider this simple fact: If an extra zero is mistakenly included in an expense amount, your taxable income could be understated and by the time the IRS figures this out, you will owe a significant amount of back taxes, late payment penalties, and interest charges.
Conversely, if a zero is omitted from an income item, this, too, could cause you to underpay your taxes without you realizing it - until the IRS sends one of those nasty "love letters" and informs you of the discrepancy.
How do you know whether you've found an experienced provider of tax preparation services? Easy: you ask.
Any worthy tax business will offer a no-cost initial consultation so you can get to know each other and see if you'd like to work together.
Use this opportunity to ask questions.
Perhaps the most important question is this: "How many times have you done this particular type of tax return?" If he says "thousands of times", you are on the right track.
If he says, "About 20 times", you should take your business elsewhere.
You don't want a rookie.
You want someone who's been there and done that, over and over again.
When it comes to credentials, there is no substitute for years of experience.
Here's a story that will help communicate the importance of hiring an experienced tax preparation service rather than a novice.
My father recently had heart surgery.
My mother and I were sitting anxiously in the waiting room before the operation when the doctor came in to speak with us briefly.
We exchanged pleasantries and then I asked him, "How many times have you done this particular type of procedure?" He smiled and said, "Thousands of times.
" How do you think I felt after hearing that? Was I more confident that he knew what he was doing and that my father was in good hands? Of course.
But what if he had said, "Oh, about 20 times.
" Then how would I have felt? I would not have been nearly as optimistic about the potential outcome of the surgery.
When it comes to tax return preparation, we are not talking about a life and death situation.
We are talking about your money.
When you hire a tax preparer, you are putting your financial well being into the hands of another person.
And it doesn't take much for a tax preparer to cause much harm to both.
Consider this simple fact: If an extra zero is mistakenly included in an expense amount, your taxable income could be understated and by the time the IRS figures this out, you will owe a significant amount of back taxes, late payment penalties, and interest charges.
Conversely, if a zero is omitted from an income item, this, too, could cause you to underpay your taxes without you realizing it - until the IRS sends one of those nasty "love letters" and informs you of the discrepancy.
How do you know whether you've found an experienced provider of tax preparation services? Easy: you ask.
Any worthy tax business will offer a no-cost initial consultation so you can get to know each other and see if you'd like to work together.
Use this opportunity to ask questions.
Perhaps the most important question is this: "How many times have you done this particular type of tax return?" If he says "thousands of times", you are on the right track.
If he says, "About 20 times", you should take your business elsewhere.
You don't want a rookie.
You want someone who's been there and done that, over and over again.