One of the most important decisions when it comes to complying with the obligation to file taxes is choosing who prepares them in case you are not sure of knowing how to do so. Carefully choosing the service of a professional is important and there are several reasons for this that force clients to have confidence and judgment. The first of the long list of reasons is that that person will have access to your personal and financial information. From the social security number to the details of your income and bank accounts. Confidence in the protection of this data must be absolute. Another fundamental reason is that although it is the preparer who makes the calculations, examines your documents and presents the details of your tax return, it is the taxpayer who is ultimately responsible for this. . The judgment and professionalism of the preparer are crucial and this is where special attention must be paid when hiring this help.More informationProfessionals to prepare your tax returns include lawyers, certified public accountants (CPAs, acronym in English) and registered agents who have the power to represent their client before the authorities. But in the United States you can also be a tax return preparer if you have a paid preparer tax identification number from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) known as PTIN. This PTIN is not a license like those needed by professionals in other sectors. to operate and it is important to compare the level of preparation and experience in these cases. In six states—California, Connecticut, Illinois, Nevada, New York and Oregon—additional credentials and in some cases mandatory courses are required. The IRS has a page to verify credentials and qualifications that you can consult, but in addition to making sure the preparer has a PTIN, there are other things to consider when choosing a professional: When tax season begins you will see notices of preparers who advertise better refunds or tax refunds. Be suspicious because without knowing your financial situation, it is difficult for anyone to guarantee such a thing. Ask the cost of the service. In this same sense, avoid going to preparers or accountants who base the payment for their services on an amount or percentage of the refund you receive. And certainly do not allow all or part of the refund to go into the preparer's bank accounts. It must go to the taxpayer's office. The professional who does your taxes has to use your PTIN on the return and sign it. You have to have a copy. The IRS calls “ghost” preparers who print the return and have the taxpayer sign it and mail it to treasury authorities. For electronically filed returns, a ghost preparer will prepare the tax return, but will refuse to digitally sign it as the paid preparer. When describing this tactic, the IRS uses the term unscrupulous. Never sign a blank return. Never sign a blank piece of paper. The preparer will ask you questions about your finances and will want to see your receipts and documents. Consider the professional stability of the preparer, if they are in business for a certain number of years after preparing your return in case If you have a bad experience due to the inappropriate conduct of a preparer, you can report it using Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer (in English) PDF.
Free help
The IRS has free tax preparation assistance programs that make certified volunteers for this service. One of them is the VITA program for people with low and moderate incomes and the TCE tax advisory program for nations. Those who earn less than $67,000 annually, have a disability, or have limited command of the English language are eligible for these programs. The TCE offers help to those age 60 and older. Programs are offered through IRS partner organizations and can be found online using the Center Locator tool.
