The right tax preparer can save you a lot of money. Obviously you want to find the right one. There are many different ways that you may find such a professional, including the following.
Ask for recommendations
One great way to find a quality tax preparer is to ask for recommendations from people you know. If you have specific financial considerations such as if you own a business, you may want to ask for recommendations from people who have the same characteristics.
There are other ways that you can find out about other tax preparers to consider. If your taxes are simple you can look for one of the big companies such as H&R Block. You may like the convenience that some of these places offer. You can even sometimes find places that have offices right in shopping malls while you shop.
Go in for a consultation
Before you sign on with a tax preparer you want to interview him or her. Many will offer a free consultation where you can get an idea of their services and abilities. There are different things to look for when you talk to them. First you want someone who appears knowledgeable. Some people will want to go with an actual CPA. They may be more knowledgeable about what you may be eligible for and be able to save you money. You need to think about how complicated your taxes are. Some people have very simple financial matters, and may not get a lot more from someone with more knowledge. If you have specific circumstances, then you can ask about their experience with people in your situation.
You also need to consider how honest the tax preparer seems. If someone is promising you money back for which you do not think you are eligible, then you want to be very careful. If they are offering to do something not legal to save you money, then it may sound great, but you can get into trouble if you are audited. Do not think that you will escape liability just because someone else prepared your taxes.
Consider how much they charge
Of course taxes are all about money, and, even if you get some more back, you may not save if you spend a lot more on the person preparing the taxes. Many of the big organizations are much cheaper. Some will add in extra little fees that you may not find out about until the end, so make sure that you know what the total price will be before you commit.
You should also find out how long they take to prepare the taxes, especially if you are approaching the deadline. If you will be getting more back, you want to find someone who is quick.
Even if you like the first tax preparer you interview, it may be worthwhile to see several so that you can compare them. Once you have finished, compare those of the above factors that are important to you to make your final decision.