Tips For Hiring Louisiana Tax Preparation Professionals

By Helen Cole


It is painful to be served with a fine following the failure to file your tax returns within the recommended period. What pains more is that you will be paying an additional cost to your already paid taxes due to a failure to follow a simple procedure. In most cases, one fails to file his tax returns due to the extensiveness of the processes need to prepare the tax return documents. Again, some will fail to do it simply they do not know the process of compiling their tax documents. Because of these scenarios, IRS has allowed the filing of tax returns by third parties. These are the authorized tax agents whom they give access to submit tax returns on behalf of the people. The following tips will help you to choose Louisiana tax preparation professional.

Before you engage a tax preparer to file your returns, make sure you ask for their PTIN number. This indicates that they are authorized to file third-party tax returns at a fee. It is important to note that those who voluntarily offer to submit your tax payments for you are not required to have PTN numbers. All tax preparers who do this for a fee are required to indicate their PTIN numbers on your return document always.

Tax agents who have credentials are usually those who have CPA certification, registered lawyers and those who are enrolled with agent designation. The best thing about engaging such preparers is the assurance of representation in an audit or a tax return appeals. Following the ease of acquiring PTIN number, it is important to request for additional credentials from the tax preparer whom you wish to engage in filing your tax return. IRS is frequently updating its database with tax preparers with the required credentials.

It is advisable to look for people in high places. The main reason for this is that in most cases they observe a certain code of ethics and professionalism in their practice. Some of the organizations you should consider looking for tax preparers is the National Association of Tax Professionals, American Institute of Certified Institute of Accountants and more.

The main reason for hiring tax preparers is to save time that you would spend preparing your tax documents. There is no standard rate for charging tax preparation services. The professional set their rates independently. Because of this, it is advisable to conduct a price comparison of different tax agents. The services are usually charged on an hourly rate, therefore, avoid the crooks who will dupe you by charging you a fixed rate.

Experienced tax professional usually handles volumes of tax payments. These are required by IRS to submit their tax payments online. If a tax preparer is not allowed to file a return online, then he is filing less than ten returns, which is a red flag for you considering you are paying.

Verify your details on the tax return documents prepared before you sign. Tax regulations require you to make sure that the preparer puts his PTIN number and signs against it before filing. Once you are satisfied with the details in the documents, sign the files.

You cannot predict when you will need to appeal your tax bill. For you to succeed in your appeal you will need the representation of the tax expert who filed your documents. If they cannot represent you before the appeal bench, then there is no need for you to hire them.




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