Four Things to Look for in a Tax Specialist

Two things are certain in life: death and taxes. Although there is little to be done about the first one, you can certainly receive assistance in making sure that your finances are in order and your annual taxes are filed accurately. When choosing tax specialists (San Diego, statewide or nationally), there are certain prerequisites that you need to make sure are met before hiring him/her.

1) Credentials

When dealing with the IRS and tax filing, it’s imperative that the person you hire has a Preparer Tax Identification Number (or has proof of an application for one).  It’s also important to note the following when searching for a taxes lawyer: San Diego (as well as statewide and nationwide) financial firm representatives should be affiliated with an organization for accountants/taxation. This will help to ensure that he/she is held to a certain standard of ethics, has ongoing education in the field and more. Hiring someone without these credentials could mean improperly completing tax forms and, ultimately, getting into trouble with the IRS.

2) Diverse Experience

If you’re a business owner, you’ll want tax preparers who specialize in this field. Business consultants (San Diego tax lawyers, financial advisors, accounting representatives, etc.) should be well-versed in any tax credits you may be able to receive, amended forms that could reduce your liability and more. Balancing assets and liability can be complicated with businesses, both large and small, which is why it’s so important to hire someone that has extensive experience in your particular department. The same goes for personal tax preparation and accountants.

3) Customer Satisfaction/Fair Business Practices

This is another important issue. What good are experience and a host of credentials if your tax specialist offers lousy customer service? One way to determine this is to check the Better Business Bureau for ratings. Most reputable companies and businesses are registered with this handy organization. Going to the BBB’s website can give you an idea of whether or not the preparer in question has had complaints issued against him/her, how long the person has been in business for and more. If you can’t find any Better Business Bureau rating information, search online for reviews on sites like the Yellow Pages or other reputable sources.

Another related issue is to make sure that you aren’t going to be charged an arm and a leg for a disproportionate amount of services. Try and go with someone who offers a flat rate per form completion or a similar structure, rather than a tax preparer who opts to take a percentage of your refund. 

4) Availability

Although it may seem like a minor issue, you should consider availability. Reputable tax accountants typically offer regular business hours, so it’s easy for you to make an appointment and complete your taxes.

 

Jessica writes about a wide variety of topics.  She especially enjoys writing about taxes. You can learn more about tax specialists san diego at http://www.allenbarron.com/