How to find the best accountant near you in California?
by Ledger Bench LedgerBench is your trusted accounting & bookkeepiAround one-third of people look for a tax preparer, an accountant or a tax
advisor to file their tax returns, but with little or no information, it is
difficult to find the best one.
While looking for the best accountant near you in California, consider this
checklist to help you find the right person.
1. Ask
for a preparer tax Identification number:
The IRS requires anyone to have a PTIN whoever prepares and assist in
preparing federal tax returns for compensation. However, volunteer preparations
don’t require a PTIN. The IRS also requires your tax preparer to put his or her
PTIN number on your return.
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2. Require
a CPA, law license or enrolled agent designation:
A PTIN is easy to get, so look further for a credential preparer- someone
who also is a certified public accountant, enrolled agent, licensed attorney or
who has completed the IRS Annual filing season program. Accredited tax preparer
or accredited business advisor/accountant is an example of IRS Annual filing season
program requirement. These credentials require varying amounts of education,
study and exams. The best way to find an accountant near you in California with
credentials you want is to search the IRS directory. The IRS includes
IRS-recognized professional credentials and preparers with PTINs. Volunteer
preparers with just PTIN won’t be in the database.
3. Look
for friends in high places:
Membership in a professional organization such as the National Association
of Enrolled Agents, The National Association of Tax Professionals, The American
Academy of Attorney CPAs or the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants is always a good thing to have, as most of them have professional
conduct requirements, code of ethics and various certification programs.
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4. Compare
Fees:
Legitimate tax preparers or accountants charge by hours, so if you come
across one whose fees is based on the size of your refund who says he/she can
get you a bigger refund than the next guy, beware of them!
According to the National Society of Accountants, if the IRS is auditing you
in person, tax preparers would charge around $150 per hour to handle it.
According to the National Society of Accountants, the average fees for
preparing a tax return including an itemized Form 1040 with Schedule A and a
state tax return would be $300. The average cost to prepare a form 1040 and
state return without itemized deductions was $188.
5. Reconsider
those who doesn’t e-file:
The IRS requires the tax preparer to e-file that is electronically filed via
IRS e-file system, if he or she does more than 10 for clients. If the tax
preparer doesn't do e-files, then they are not doing enough as per the IRS
requirement.
6. Confirm
they’ll sign on the dotted line:
The law requires tax preparers to sign their client’s returns and provide
their PTIN. Never sign the blank tax return because your preparer may put
anything on the return, including their own bank account number to maybe steal
your refund.
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7. Check
if they have your back:
CPAs, attorneys, enrolled agents with PTINs can represent you in front of
the IRS on audit, collection issues, payments and appeals. Prepares who just
have PTINs can’t represent you, even if they prepared your return. While
prepared in the Annual filing season program can represent clients only in
circumstances.
While looking for an accountant, availability of the CPA is also important.
If you’re looking during the tax season, accountants are way too busy to handle
their current clients but the best tax preparers will take your call, respond
to email or invite you for a meeting.
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Created on Aug 27th 2020 23:13. Viewed 217 times.