How to Find a Good Tax Consultant

A good tax consultant can save you money.

No matter what your income or financial situation, a good tax consultant can help you save money and avoid problems with the IRS. A tax consultant can help you plan everything from your retirement strategy, to your taxable and tax-deferred investments. A good tax consultant can also help you maximize your refund by finding tax deductions you would otherwise have missed.

Instructions

1. Decide whether you want to work with a tax consultant or a CPA. If your tax situation is very complex, working with a CPA could be the best way to go. If you have more general tax planning and tax preparation systems, it could be less costly to work with a tax consultant who is not a CPA.

2. Review the tax returns you filed for the last several years, including all of the attached schedules and documentation. This can give you an idea of how complex your tax situation is and what kind of tax help you are likely to need.

3. Ask others with similar tax circumstances which tax consultants they use. Look for people in similar situations to get the best advice. For instance, if you're a business owner, talk with other business owners in the area and get recommendations for tax accountants, consultants and CPAs.

4. Interview each consultant, and ask about the consultant's qualifications and experience. Look for a tax consultant who has been in business for many years and dealt with many different kinds of tax situations. Assess the level of experience the tax consultant has with situations similar to yours. A good tax consultant should be able to help you find a good retirement plan for your business, help you find deductions you might have missed on your personal return, and help you reduce your taxes as much as possible. Avoid tax preparers and consultants who claim to be able to get you a huge refund before reviewing your situation, or who base their charges on a percentage of the refund they obtain.

References

• IRS: How to Choose a Tax Preparer