How to look, where to look and what to look for after working with one.
or some taxpayers, it's a familiar tale. Somewhere during those first four months of every year, you do your taxes in a haphazard fashion, or you look for someone to prepare your taxes, and because you've waited until the last minute, you find someone in a hurry to do them. Every April, as you pay your preparer and Uncle Sam, you vow: Next year, I'm finding a good tax accountant.
Well, the year will be over before you know it. Now would be an excellent time to look for that good tax accountant. Or, rather, the right tax accountant. There are plenty of good ones out there; they just may not all be the right one for you.
This is easier said than done, however. If it was simple to find the right tax accountant, you would have by now. So what accountant should you be looking for – and where?
How to look when selecting a tax accountant. Beyond trying to find someone who is competent, someone who you feel comfortable working with is a good start.
And you'll feel comfortable by asking a lot questions, says Abby Eisenkraft, CEO of Choice Tax Solutions in New York City.
If you're working in the U.S. but you aren't an American citizen, you'll want to inquire if they have experience working with expats, Eisenkraft says. Same goes with if you're self-employed or have any unusual or special circumstances.
"If your tax professional doesn't specialize in your area, something could potentially be missed. Not good," she says.
You should also ask if they're available throughout the year, she adds. This is especially a good question if you are self-employed and make quarterly estimated payments or have issues with the IRS and fear this may not be a one-time tax visit.
"If you receive a notice after the tax season ends, you want to be sure you can locate your tax professional for assistance. Those shops that are gone on April 16 are of no use to you long term," Eisenkraft says.
Where to look. That can be tough at first, if you want something beyond a tax preparation chain – and there's nothing wrong with going with one, but obviously, you can find one pretty quickly in a phone book (yes, those still exist) or in a search engine. If you're looking for something particular, you may want to try …
Social media. Ask your friends and family who they use. You'll likely get a ton of answers, many of them impractical – your cousin, 2,000 miles away, may have a great idea for a tax preparer, but you probably don't want to travel 2,000 miles. You may find some gems among the answers, however.