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Tax time is quickly approaching
– ok, so is Christmas but it’s
the right time to start thinking
about your taxes too. You
may be considering using a tax
professional to make sure that
your taxes are prepared timely
and accurately and to help you
navigate the ever-changing
complexities of our tax code.
If so, here are some important
tips that you should know.
All legitimate tax preparers are
required to register with the
Internal Revenue Service and
obtain a PTIN, or a preparer tax
ID number. But still, this does
not mean that all tax preparers
are qualified to handle your
specific tax needs.
Certified public accountants,
enrolled agents, and attorneys
are suggested by experts
as your safest way to go as
these professionals are highly
educated and require many
hours of training and continuing
education to stay abreast of
the new tax law developments.
I recommend beginning your
search for a tax professional
by tapping into your resources;
your network of family and
friends by asking who they
use and if they’re happy with
their services. You can also
go online to the American
Society of Accountants or the
American Institute of Certified
Accountants, both of which have
a directory on their website to
help you get linked up with a
professional in your area.
Once you find the names of
a couple of tax experts,
take
action now and give them a
call
. Ask them if they’re taking
on new clients. What their
availability is. What their fee
schedule is. Do they charge by
the hour, by the form, or a flat
Finding the Right Income
Tax Professional
By Tina Moe, CPA
SOAR TO SUCCESS
/
D
ecember
2016
/
Core Business Strategies