Tax preparers are individuals who may or may not be credentialed. Anyone who accepts a form of payment for preparing taxes should at the very least, however, have a preparer tax identification number (PTIN). They’ll work with you to file your federal and state tax returns, make sure you are taking advantage of any tax credits and deductions you’re eligible for, and sign off on your return once complete. Some CPAs also provide tax-planning services to help you optimize your finances and take advantage of tax strategies year-round. Retail tax franchises such as H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, and Liberty Tax Service offer competent help if you just want to file a relatively straightforward tax return.

Search the IRS directory

• « I am a proponent for self-preparation when individuals are young and just starting out with a simple W-2, » Angie Toney, a CPA in the Washington D.C.
• Some, but not all, CPAs have a Masters in Accounting or a related field.
• Ask if you can meet with a CPA, an EA, or a senior tax preparer if you decide to use one of these services.
• You can ask the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility if an EA has ever been censured or subjected to other disciplinary action.
• Read online reviews on Yelp, Google, Angie’s List, Thervo, and Facebook.

The right tax pro can set you up to keep your financial life on track. There are also other tax preparers who may not hold these particular credentials but who have other types of educational training. Certified public accountants (CPAs) are a common type of credentialed accounting professional you might encounter in your search for tax prep help. When your Full Service expert does your taxes they won’t sign and file until your return is 100% accurate and you’re getting your best outcome possible, guaranteed. Accountants that prepare taxes or work as financial planners are required provide written statements regarding their privacy policies to all clients. Hiring a CPA or tax pro can take the time-consuming and often frustrating task of deciphering IRS rules and forms off your shoulders.

You’re our first priority.Every time.

But even rock stars have to pay taxes, and sometimes it’s a good idea to get a tax accountant. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). Take the time to hire a reputable tax pro and review their work carefully to help ease your worries this tax season. Look at your potential CPA or tax preparer’s website and social media accounts to see what sorts of Bookkeeping for Chiropractors things they post.

How to Find the Best CPA or Tax Accountant Near You

Or, with TurboTax Live Full Service, a local tax expert matched to your unique situation personal accountant will get your taxes done 100% right – as soon as today. Whichever plan you choose, you’ll get you taxes done with 100% accuracy and your maximum refund, guaranteed. All of the tax software providers we review also offer a free tier for filers with simple returns. CPAs are required to have have more training and higher education than licensed tax preparers. Whether you hire a CPA or a tax preparer should depend on what your tax needs are. When choosing a tax preparer, ask them about their communication preference.

Kemberley Washington is a former staff writer at Forbes Advisor and provides consumer-friendly tax tips for individuals and businesses. She has been instrumental in tax product reviews and online tax calculators to help individuals make informed tax decisions. Her work has been featured in Yahoo Finance, Bankrate.com, SmartAsset, Black Enterprise, New Orleans Agenda, and more. Often, small businesses don’t have the expertise to handle a lot of the tax matters related to their business. They can also handle administrative tasks such as budgeting, bookkeeping, financial accounting and reporting, invoicing, tax planning, and tax preparation and filing. In that event, you’ll want a qualified contra asset account tax professional like a CPA to represent you before the IRS.

• After all, it’s your business, and you’re ultimately responsible for whether you turn a healthy profit or end up in court fighting a tax lien.
• You might even search for the professional’s name in social media.
• Due to the intense requirements an accountant must meet to become a CPA, this license represents one of the most well-respected credentials in the business world.
• You will want to hire someone with knowledge about your state taxes—either by being located in your state or having a lot of clients in your state.
• Finding a good CPA can be a challenge, but TurboTax can connect you with a local Live Full Service tax expert who ensures your taxes are handled with the utmost competence and care.

• Look for a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a licensed tax attorney or an Enrolled Agent (EA).
• When choosing a tax preparer, ask them about their communication preference.
• All features, services, support, prices, offers, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.
• It’s the business equivalent of a singer-songwriter paying their dues at an open mic night.
• Professional associations may also be better equipped to connect you with a tax preparer whose experience and background meet your needs.

A really good tax accountant can help you avoid getting in hot water with the IRS and keep you in line with tax laws. But they also have a particular set of skills that can help take some of the stress out of the day-to-day hustle and bustle of running a business. Let us walk you through a three-step process to find a qualified CPA or tax accountant near you. See how much you can save when a TurboTax expert does your taxes, start to finish.

Questions to Ask Your Tax Accountant

The IRS mandates that anyone who receives compensation in exchange for preparing a tax return must have a PTIN, or a preparer tax identification number. The amount of ongoing study for each designation will vary, but these professionals are generally held to a higher standard of education and expertise. A CPA, on the other hand, is an umbrella term for a credentialed accounting professional. CPAs who specialize in taxation may offer preparation, planning or consulting services. CPAs have unlimited representation rights in front of the IRS — a key difference from an uncredentialed tax advisor or consultant. Our Endorsed Local Providers (ELP) program is the perfect place to start.

Need some helping finding the right tax advisor for you?

Follow her on Twitter at @ellenychang and Instagram at @ellenyinchang. Online reviews of tax preparers are also available, but verifying the people who wrote them can be tricky. If you receive a recommendation for a CPA, ask the tax preparer for a few references and shop around before you make a decision. Consult with other people in your industry if you are self-employed or own a small business or seek advice from members of a professional organization. Getting referrals from your co-workers, friends or family members is another option, but they likely are facing a different tax or financial situation from you.