Many smaller tax services are just open from January through April. If you only need assistance with your personal income taxes, those may be just fine for you. Remember, however, that if you are contacted later about your returns or if you'll need their assistance during an audit, you could be out of luck if you choose a tax service that pulls in its shingle after April 15.
You may need an experienced, qualified tax preparer to do your taxes. While you do not have to be a CPA to do personal income tax, a qualified public accountant has the education and experience to make certain that you make use of all of the deductions and exemptions to that you just are entitled. On top of that, a CPA in a year-round accounting firm will keep up on the latest tax laws and changes to the tax code to be certain that your returns are completed accurately as well as to your benefit.
A conveniently located office can be a boon if you intend to meet in person within the accountant's office. Consider where the office is located and the way hard or easy it is to get there if you may need to drop off and pick up records and returns.
Ask around to learn the trustworthiness of the tax services you're considering and take the time to check out their credentials. Do the employees have CPA training and certification? Do they offer tax services for tax season, or do they also provide other accounting and bookkeeping services? Are they listed with the local Better Business Bureau, and if therefore, what is their reputation and rating?
Some tax preparation services offer guarantees of accuracy. When you're deciding among tax services, ensure you know what they are going to do if their error results in fines or penalties, or if perhaps you are audited by the IRS. Those factors may help you decide between two or even more tax preparation services with similar reputations, availability and pricing.
The cost of preparing tax returns varies widely from one tax service to the next. It's illegal for a tax preparation service to base its fees on the amount of refund they obtain for you. Some accountant offices charge through the hour. Others have a standard schedule of fees based on the complexity of the tax returns and forms that must be filled out. Still others supply a custom estimate and quote for each individual. If your tax situation is extremely complex, some tax services may have difficulty giving you an exact price before they do a more thorough interview with you, but they should be able to give you a rough estimate of what it will cost to have your taxes prepared.