Finding Your Tax Professional!

It’s that time of year again! As January nears an end, workers are getting their W-2 and 1099 forms and getting ready to file their taxes once again.

Taxes are something that most people dread and would rather not deal with. However, more and more people are using online services to prepare and file their own taxes. While this do-it-yourself approach is fine for simple returns with W-2 income only, many individuals will need the assistance of a tax professional for help filing their taxes.

Choosing a tax professional to work with is an important decision and should not be taken lightly. While there are numerous companies to choose from during tax season, all promising something for free or a higher tax refund, it is important to remember a few simple facts:

First, as the old saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Many companies promise a free federal return, for example. However when they get you in the door, you find that there will be a charge for your state return…and a charge for more than one W-2…and a charge for any additional forms, etc. This is just one of many methods used by companies to get you in the door during tax time and then increase the price on your return.

Second, remember that all tax professionals are using the same numbers provided by the IRS. In other words, if your return is prepared correctly, there is no way that any other tax professional is going to be able to get you a larger tax refund. While it is true that certain deductions can be missed and that would affect your refund, it is not true that any one tax professional or company is going to get you a higher refund than any other tax professional.

This does not mean that all tax professionals are the same. Just like in any other profession, years of experience and education can make a difference. My advice is to find a good CPA or tax attorney in your community who has a good reputation and will quote you a fair price. Then you can rest easy knowing that your taxes are being prepared by a knowledgeable professional and that you are paying a fair fee for his or her services.    



Birmingham Estate Planning Attorney Richard Burton provides legal services in Estates, Wills & Trusts, Probate Administration, Guardianship and Conservatorship, Asset Protection Planning, Business Succession Planning, Federal & State Tax Planning, Charitable Giving & Private Foundations. Contact Richard at www.attorneyrichardburton.com or call (205) 789-9894.

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