Branscome: Hi… I’m Theresa Branscome from the Internal Revenue Service.  If you’re like most taxpayers… You pay someone else to do your taxes.  So… How do you pick someone who’s good? Joining me is Melaney Partner, she’s and expert in this area at the IRS.  Welcome Melaney.

Partner: Thank you Theresa.

Branscome: Melaney, How can you find a good tax professional?

Partner: You want to look for someone who has a good understanding of taxes.  Check with your family, friends, co-workers, your employer for someone that they consider to be a reputable preparer.  Choose so someone that you can contact at a later date and time should you need to.  And also, look on irs.gov for additional tips.  Just put in the key word “How to Choose a Tax Professional”.

Branscome: Well Alright.  Are there any red flags that I need to watch out for?

Partner: Definitely look for tax professionals who guarantee you a refund upfront without ever looking at financial information or asking you questions about your situation.  Those who claim to have a special relationship with the Internal Revenue Service definitely, you might want to think about.  Those that ask you to sign a blank return. Don’t ever sigh a blank return.

Branscome: Alright.

Partner: Same thing with pencil.

Branscome:

Partner: You don’t want to do anything in pencil you know the old eraser, smudging and all that.  So we want to make sure that we get the right figures down on there.  And also, make sure that they sign as a tax preparer.  If you are paying someone to do so, they are required by law to sign that return.

Branscome: Alright.  So say I do find a good tax professional, I’m assuming my responsibility is all over after that.. Right?

Partner: No. Uh, Not right. , You’re still responsible for the accuracy of every item on your tax return.  So carefully review it before you sign it.  Same thing with the information that you give your tax professional. Make sure, or if you have questions, definitely ask them.  “I got these receipts, this is what I did, is you know that …” . So that accuracy  from beginning to end is still your responsibility.  Double check the tax information, You name, address, social security number.  All of those, even the little things that you are so used to seeing.  Make sure that those are correct.  And make sure that you get a copy of the tax return.  You tax preparer is to give you a copy.   

Branscome: Alright.  What if I am audited? Can anyone represent me?

Partner: The return preparer who did that return can represent you for that particular audit.  However, if you preparer is also an enrolled agent, a certified public accountant or attorney, They can also represent you before the IRS with other matters.  Such as audits, additional audits, collections or appeals.

Branscome: Now I understand that last year the IRS started a new program where you can split your refund in up to three accounts such as a checking account, a savings account, and money market account.  Can the tax professional help me do that split?

Partner: Yes. Yes, definitely.  But remember to bring all three account numbers and the routing numbers of those accounts.  A lot of taxpayers forget to do that.  Sometimes they are having to go back or they think they know it right  off and the numbers are inverted and stuff.  So, you just make sure if you want that refund check deposited into different accounts, to bring the account numbers along with the routing numbers.

Branscome: Well Melaney thank you for this advise. 

Partner: Thank you.

Branscome: And thank you all for joining us. I’m Theresa Branscome.  You can get more information on the IRS’s official website at www-dot-irs-dot-gov.

Audio File: How To Choose a Professional Tax Preparer - Theresa Branscome from the Internal Revenue Service joined by Melanie Partner, 3:27 minutes long. The audio file will open in Windows Player, and you will be able to pause, fast forward, rewind, mute, and control the volume from the interactive player. 

IRS Tax Tip 2008-07 - Advice for Choosing a Tax Return Preparer
 
Tips for Choosing a Tax Preparer

Audio and Text Scripts of Audio Interviews 2008