It is that time of year again. The IRS wants your tax money! If you are
like almost everyone else, you haven’t kept up with the large number of
tax regulation changes this year. So what do you do, buy a software and
try to do it yourself or do you chose a tax preparer? If you chose a tax
preparer, keep the following in mind.
This year, all paid tax preparers are required to have a Preparer Tax
Identification Number (PTIN). The Tax Professionals at Premiere Business
Services have had PTINs for over ten years. In addition, your preparer
should be affiliated with a professional organization and also attend
continuing education (CE) classes in taxation. Our Tax Professionals
belong to the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP). In
addition, the Tax Professionals at Premiere take 50 CE hours each year
exclusive to taxation while, as a comparison, a CPA must take 120 CE
hours every three years, none required in taxation, an Enrolled Agent
(EA) must take 16 CE hours every year in taxation, and the typical
seasonal tax preparer in a retail office currently takes zero CE hours
each year.
Any paid preparer that prepares 10 returns or more must electronically
file the tax return. The Tax Professionals at Premiere have been
electronically filing for over ten years. E-file is the fastest, safest,
way to file your return. If you qualify for a refund, use e-file, and
direct deposit, your refund is usually in your bank account in less than
two weeks. We encourage you to stay away from those firms that offer
instant money, fast refund or refund loans. These fast cash lending
agencies normally charge exorbitant interest rates. Remember, it is a
violation of IRS regulations for a preparer to directly deposit all or
any of your refund into their bank account!
Your tax preparer should be available year round. The Tax Professionals
at Premiere are available normal business hours 52 weeks each year, with
extended hours during tax preparation season. Most national retail
locations use seasonal employees who leave and don’t work all year.
IRS rules do not allow your return to be prepared without all of your
tax forms, like W2s and 1099s. This means that a reputable firm will
want to see all of your receipts, log books and tax forms. The Tax
Professionals at Premiere will insist on seeing all documents that make
up your tax return.
The Tax Professionals at Premiere will review your return, seek
questions from you about your return and ensure you understand the
results. Even if your return is prepared by someone else, you are
responsible for its content.
Call the Tax Professionals at Premiere Business Services for quality,
year round tax support 52 weeks out of every year.
