How to Choose a Tax Preparer You Can Trust
You are legally responsible for everything on your tax return, even when someone else prepares it. That makes choosing a preparer one of the most important financial decisions you make each year. Here is how to choose well.
By Lilian Oyama, Tax Preparer, FounderReviewed 6 min readStart with the basics
Every paid tax preparer must have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) from the IRS, and must sign the returns they prepare and include that number. A preparer who will not sign your return is a serious red flag.
Preparers also have different backgrounds and qualifications. The IRS keeps a public Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers that lists preparers who hold certain credentials or have completed the IRS Annual Filing Season Program. Ask any preparer about their experience with situations like yours.
Questions worth asking before you hire
- How are your fees calculated, and will I know the price before you begin?
- Who will prepare my return, and who will I talk to if I have questions?
- How do you collect and protect my documents?
- Will I be able to review the return with you before I sign?
- Will you be available after the filing deadline if I receive a letter from the IRS or my state?
- Have you worked with situations like mine, such as multiple states or self-employment?
Red flags to avoid
- Fees based on a percentage of your refund.
- Promises of a bigger refund than other preparers can get you.
- A request to sign a blank or incomplete return.
- A refund directed into an account that is not yours.
- A preparer who will not sign the return or include a PTIN.
- Pressure to share sensitive documents through unsecured channels such as text or social media.
Before you sign your return
Review the finished return and ask about anything you do not understand. Check that your name, dependents, and income match your records, and confirm that any direct deposit account and routing numbers are yours. You should feel comfortable with the return before you sign it.
How LOJ Solution approaches it
- Your first consultation is free, and you receive pricing before work begins.
- You work directly with founder Lilian Oyama, from the first call to the final review.
- Sensitive documents are never collected through the website form or regular email.
- You review your return and get answers to your questions before you sign.
- We never promise refunds or refund amounts.
