A tax return is a document filed with a government agency that reports income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. Individuals and businesses file these returns annually to calculate their tax liability or request refunds.
Tax preparers have to keep up with constantly changing rules and regulations. Hiring one can save you or your business time and money.
Saves Time
Almost 85 million Americans pay professionals to prepare their income tax returns. The process requires gathering all of your annual tax documents and receipts that record taxable income and deductible expenses and submitting them to a professional for processing.
When you use a professional tax preparer, you get someone to organize all your documents, provide the forms you need to fill out and guide you through the process. That saves you the time and effort it takes to do it yourself.
In addition, a professional tax preparer typically has the tools and resources to complete your return more quickly than you would on your own. That includes tax preparation software that is designed to find all the deductions and credits you can claim. These features can reduce your taxable income, cut your tax bill, or help you receive more money back than you would have received without the deductions.
It’s also possible that a professional tax preparer can make fewer mistakes than you could. Besides being highly trained, professional tax preparers must pass a background check and keep up with continuing education. The IRS takes the issue of unlicensed, unethical tax preparers very seriously and investigates people who profess to be pros but aren’t. The agency investigates those who falsify deductions, income, or dependents in order to produce a larger refund for their clients and those who alter documents.
Finally, a professional tax preparer can give you peace of mind. While most of these experts are awesome, conscientious and ethical people, there’s always the chance you’ll encounter a less-than-honest “expert.”
With all that in mind, it’s important to remember that filing taxes is an ongoing process. It’s important to stay up to date with changes in the law so that you’re prepared for future events that may affect your taxes. If you’re going to use a professional to file your tax return, it’s worth the investment because they can save you time and help you make smart financial decisions. That can be especially valuable in a difficult economic climate. As the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted job stability, more people are leaving full-time jobs and seeking alternative sources of income by launching their own businesses or working from home. That can make their tax situations more complex and nuanced, making expert guidance all the more important.
Saves Money
Tax professionals are familiar with the tax code and know where to look for deductions and credits you may not have known about. In addition, tax preparers are likely to catch mistakes you might make when filing your taxes. Mistakes can result in delays in getting your refund, an audit, or a penalty tax bill years later.
It’s not uncommon for American taxpayers to save hundreds or thousands of dollars off their tax bills by working with professional tax preparers. While tax preparation focuses on filing your information based on what already took place, something called tax planning also looks into the future to bring ideas into the present to legally reduce your tax liability.
If you’re an entrepreneur, a small business owner, or an employee, having someone else handle your taxes can free up time for you to focus on growing your business or performing other critical tasks that need to get done. You can also deduct the cost of hiring a professional tax preparer on your taxes, further saving you money.
Many tax professionals work on a contract basis and charge their clients an hourly rate that varies depending on the complexity of the return. This can be a very flexible and rewarding career path to choose from.
As a certified public accountant, an enrolled agent, or a tax attorney, you can also open your own practice and set your own rates. Most tax professionals start their careers learning the ropes at one of the nation’s many franchise tax preparation businesses before striking out on their own. This way, they can establish a loyal client base and enjoy the flexibility of a contract or independent practice.
To become a successful tax preparer, it’s important to have a good understanding of the US Tax Code and constantly keep up to date on changes in the law. You can do this by reading the daily news and focusing on federal and state-specific tax laws. You can also learn a lot by studying court cases and finding out what judges think about particular tax issues.
Avoids Mistakes
Filing taxes can be confusing and time-consuming, especially when you’re rushed to meet a deadline. Mistakes can range from minor oversights to serious blunders that lead to a costly IRS audit and even fines or penalties. Knowing the most common tax-filing mistakes can help you avoid them and file a clean return.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when filing their taxes is not gathering all the necessary documents before submitting their returns. This includes W-2 forms from employers, 1099 forms for freelance income, and other documents that may be required depending on the individual’s financial situation. Another mistake is submitting a return without double-checking it for accuracy. Mistakes like these can be avoided with careful planning and the use of accounting software.
In addition, people often rush through their returns, which can lead to errors like misspelled names, incorrect social security numbers, or incomplete information. These errors can be easily corrected by reviewing the return thoroughly before filing it, but they can also be avoided with the use of tax preparation software and the services of a professional accountant or CPA.
Many people choose to file their taxes with a tax preparer because they want to save time, minimize the risk of making costly mistakes, and get the most out of their refunds. Whether you choose to file online or with an in-person tax preparer, it’s important to keep records of all your earnings and expenses throughout the year so that when it comes time for filing, you’ll have everything organized and ready.
It can take up to two years for new preparers to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to work independently. However, some states require that preparers complete continuing education to maintain their credentials and are familiar with the latest changes in tax laws. If you’re looking for an experienced preparer, try to find a person or firm that is accredited by the National Society of Accountants or has a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). This will ensure that they are qualified and committed to quality work.
Helps You Stay Up to Date
Professional tax preparers must keep up with the ever-changing tax code. This means they must continue their education throughout the year to ensure they’re able to stay up to date on changes in the law that could affect clients. This important job skill is not always easy for new or even seasoned preparers to master.
Keeping up to date also helps them provide accurate information to their clients. When Congress tweaks the tax code, it can have a ripple effect on all kinds of deductions, credits, and other items that people use to file their returns. Providing incorrect information can result in audits, fines, and other headaches no one wants to deal with.
Some professional tax preparers work alongside other accounting and finance professionals at a firm. Others opt to work from home or a remote office as an independent contractor. This allows them to choose their work hours and have a flexible lifestyle. Whether working in an office or from home, all preparers need to have excellent attention to detail. They must review their clients’ returns line-by-line to ensure accuracy.
The best way to find a reliable tax preparer is to ask for referrals from trusted friends or family members. In addition, you can do some homework to check a preparer’s credentials and history. Check out their Better Business Bureau rating, website, and other social media platforms to see what kind of work they do and if there are any complaints against them.
Tax preparation is a critical service for individuals and businesses, but it’s not something everyone should do themselves. Choosing the right preparer for your needs will help you save time, money, and stress. Whether you have a simple return or complex filing, hiring the right person can make the process much easier and more enjoyable. Then you can focus on the other financial tasks that will take your attention this year. Doing your taxes right the first time around will prevent late charges and fees that can add up quickly.
