You might be considering hiring someone to help you file your taxes. With numerous tax preparation ads circulating both in town and on social media, it can be challenging to determine who is trustworthy enough to handle your sensitive financial information and money.
Amy Davis from KPRC’s “Ask Amy” provides essential questions to ask before choosing a tax preparer.
You may not realize you’re a victim of a bad tax preparer until months later when your refund never arrives. Not only could your money be gone, but thieves might also have access to your personal information. It’s important to note that you don’t need to be a CPA or have formal training to prepare taxes. IRS Criminal Investigation Special Agent Mark Wilson talked with Davis about the red flags to look for before hiring tax help.
1. Be wary of any preparer that offers to get you a huge return
An honest tax preparer will not promise they can get you a bigger refund.
RELATED: 3 signs of a fake tax preparer
2. Know the fees upfront
You should know before you start the process how much you are going to pay for a tax service.
3. You’ll also want to ask if they have a tax preparer number
All paid preparers are required to have a tax preparer number. This insures they have the necessary background, education, and training to prepare your return. It’s also crucial that they are willing to sit down with you, go through the return, and ask the hard questions.
4. Make sure you get the right paperwork
In some cases, a fraudulent tax preparer tells a client they need to fill out the information at a later time. Do not leave until you have a signed copy of a final return.
Never sign a blank tax return.
5. Verify the return will be deposited in your account
Fake tax preparers have been known to set up returns to deposit into their own account. They may tell you this is how it works, or they may tell you the fee you owe them can be taken out this way. Do not give anyone permission to have all of your IRS return deposited into their account.
6. Protect your personal tax information
As an extra layer of protection, you can register for an identity protection pin to help prevent someone else from using your information.
7. Check tax center hours
Make sure the tax office is open year-round or at least has someone you can reach later if needed.
Free tax help in the Houston area
- You can call the United Way at 2-1-1 for help finding free tax help in our area. Trained operators speak several languages and can help connect callers with a center near them.
- BakerRipley provides free, quality tax preparation of your 2019 – 2024 tax returns and amendments. ITIN applications and renewals are available at no cost, as well.
The professional tax services are offered completely FREE of charge to families and individuals earning up to $58,000 annually. Check more here: Tax Preparation Assistance - BakerRipley
- You can also search the IRS database for free tax help.
CHECK MORE: Directory of federal tax return preparers with credentials and select qualifications
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