If you’re single with a regular job and you have few to no assets, using a tax software program like TurboTax or H&R Block At Home is probably the best way to prepare taxes. You can even prepare them yourself without the help of a tax software program if you have the time. On the other hand, if you have a business (small or large), assets such as real estate, dependents, investments, loans, and you make donations often, then you should consider hirin a tax accountant.
Tax accountants provide services to corporations and individuals. They complete complex tax returns, offer tax advice, and assess tax liability. A tax accountant can also help businesses figure out the best regions to set up shop in order to minimize tax liabilities, and they can even help choose certain products that can help businesses or individuals save money on taxes. Most tax accountants are certified public accountants (CPAs), so they are well versed in all state and federal tax laws.
When hiring a tax accountant, it is important to know the difference between a tax preparer and tax accountant. A tax preparer, such as an employee at an H&R Block, has taken income tax preparation courses and completed training through H&R Block. They are not licensed accountants and they don’t need a degree in accounting to work at H&R Block. Tax accountants, specifically CPAs, must satisfy a number of state requirements to sit for the CPA licensing exam. One major requirement is a degree in accounting from an accredited college or university.
Each state’s requirements vary slightly but in general, most state boards require no less than 150 semester credits with a specified number of accounting courses and business courses. To give you an idea of the level of difficulty of accredited accounting programs, less than half of the students accepted into a bachelor’s degree program in accounting will graduate.
So, the first thing to look for when hiring a tax accountant is a CPA license. It is illegal for anyone to use the CPA designation without a valid license. This means, if a tax accountant says he’s a CPA, he’s probably telling the truth. You can also verify whether a license is valid or not by doing a license lookup through your state board of accountancy website. You can locate your state board of accountancy by visiting the New York State Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA). Just scroll through the directory find your state.
The next thing to consider is how long a tax accountant has been in business. Someone who has been preparing tax returns for several years is your best bet. The next thing to consider is whether the tax accountant will represent you before the IRS. A worthy tax accountant will defend your return if you are audited. A tax accountant that answers “no” is probably not the best choice.
To locate a tax accountant, try finding one through a referral first. There’s nothing better than a friend or family member that has firsthand experience with a potential tax accountant. If you can’t find a referral, try your local telephone directory. Call up to five accountants and interview each one. Most professional CPAs will set up a free consultation without hesitation. If they don’t, then it’s probably safe to cross them off your list.
