MN Dept of Revenue Advises Taxpayers on Hiring a Tax Preparer
The Minnesota Department of Revenue suggests asking the following questions to your prospective new tax preparer:
What kind of formal tax training do you have?- Do you hold any professional licenses or designations?
- Do you belong to any professional organizations?
- Do you take continuing professional education classes each year?
- How long have you been preparing tax returns?
- Have you ever done a tax return dealing with my situation?
- Are you available year-round if I need to contact you?
- Have you ever been disciplined by any governmental authority?
- Will you represent me if I’m audited?
- How much do you charge and how do you calculate your fees?
- Can you provide me with names of references I can contact about your work?
Here is my two-cents on hiring a tax preparer:
- Most taxpayers are best off preparing their own returns.
- I like Turbo Tax and other off-the-shelf software packages.
Those who rely on paid preparers still need to understand how their taxable income and deductions are computed and reported.
Your taxes are your responsibility even if you hire someone to prepare your returns for you.
I mostly prepare returns for small business owners and others having unusually complicated tax forms.
– Mark S Gleason CPA
www.mattson-cpa.com
