After 32 years of IRS work \u2014 and more than $100 million in resolved tax debt \u2014 I've seen just about every version of the problem you're dealing with. I'm Darrin Mish, a tax attorney in Tampa. Here's what you should know.<\/p>\n
We are in the middle of the tax season. The deadline to file your taxes this year is April 17. If you intend to engage a tax preparer in preparing your tax returns, you need to do so now if you have not already. Your tax preparer should be a professional with the relevant knowledge and experience in presenting your tax information to the IRS through your tax return. \u00a0Click here to read or watch more IRS Help resources.<\/a><\/p>\n Bear in mind that knowingly providing false information on your tax return is a crime, so you should ensure that whatever is written by your tax preparer on your tax forms is accurate. It goes without saying that you should also ensure no fraudulent means are used to cheat the system and obtain refunds or credits you are not entitled to. The law holds you, not your tax preparer, responsible for the accuracy of the tax information in your tax return. 1. Ask for your tax preparer\u2019s Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) that shows he or she is a registered tax preparer<\/p>\n 2. Ask if your tax preparer is affiliated with any reputable firm that prepares tax returns and holds its preparers accountable for their work<\/p>\n 3. Ask for details of previous tax cases your tax preparer has worked with before, especially on cases similar to yours<\/p>\n 4. Avoid hiring tax preparers who promise you more refunds than other preparers<\/p>\n 5. Avoid tax preparers who charge you a percentage of your refunds as their fees<\/p>\n 6. Make sure your tax preparer states his PTIN<\/a> and signs on your tax form and that he or she is contactable months or even years after your tax return has been submitted. This is so that your preparer can provide answers to the IRS in <\/a>case of an audit.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nIn view of this, you should only hire a tax preparer with the utmost standards of integrity and competence to prepare your tax forms. Here are some ways you can ensure that:<\/p>\n