Is Your Tax Preparer Legit? 5 Rules for Navigating the Murky World of Tax Season
Almost anyone can legally be paid to prepare your tax return. Five rules for choosing well — and the exact forms for reporting someone who isn't.
You're about to hand someone your Social Security number, your income, your dependents, and your bank account. It's worth knowing who they are.
Five rules: which credentials actually matter and why they determine whether that person can stand beside you if the IRS calls, why a guaranteed refund amount is the biggest red flag in the business, what to check before you sign a return under penalties of perjury, your absolute right to a copy of your own return, and the fee structure that should make you walk out.
Includes a vetting checklist, a red-flag list, and how to report preparer misconduct to the IRS.
