The Best Tax Return Service in Akron
Protect Your Finances: How to Find a Reliable Tax Return Service and Avoid Scam Tax Preparers
With tax season in full swing, ensuring your finances are in good hands is essential. Finding a fair tax return service is hard enough. Unfortunately, there are many scam tax preparers out there who are looking to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals. Falling victim to a fraudulent tax preparer can lead to lost money and legal issues with the IRS. Choosing a reliable tax preparer is crucial to protecting your finances and avoiding scams.
In this article, we’ll discuss the red flags to watch out for when dealing with online tax preparation companies, preparer fraud, and scams. We’ll also discuss tips for finding a trustworthy, tax-return-free online tax preparation service to help you confidently file your taxes.
What is the Tax Return Service?
A tax return service is a professional service that assists individuals and businesses in preparing and filing their tax returns with the relevant tax authorities, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Tax professionals, such as certified public accountants (CPAs), enrolled agents, and tax attorneys, typically provide the service.
These professionals have the necessary knowledge and expertise to ensure tax returns are prepared accurately and in compliance with applicable tax laws. Our services help customers with more complex tax situations prepare their tax returns by offering federal and state DIY tax preparation, tax planning tools, and access to tax advice. We also provide tools to help you import tax data, calculate your deductions and credits, and maximize your tax refund.
Our tax filing options for businesses apply to Partnerships, C Corporations, S Corporations, Sole Proprietors, and Tax-Exempt Orgs. Yes, we offer a tax preparation software called ATX, which is specifically designed for professionals such as CPAs, EAs, and tax preparers. ATX features tax preparation tools, e-filing options, and comprehensive support to assist tax professionals in completing accurate and timely tax returns for their clients.
What is a tax return service and how can it benefit me?
A tax return service is a service provided by professionals to help individuals and businesses file their tax returns accurately and efficiently. By using a tax return service, you can save time, ensure compliance with tax laws, maximize your deductions, and minimize the risk of errors or audits.
Tip To Find a Reliable Tax Return Service Akron
Do you know their credentials? Have you ever worked with a tax preparer before? Most people and tax pros don’t, even though tax advisors can access a file with your details. It includes your bank account information, marriage, children, and your Social Security number (SSN). Look for established businesses who have been around for a reasonable time.
Avoid fly by night preparers who are not willing to sign your returns or provide you with copies. It’s important to choose a reliable tax return service that prioritizes the protection of your personal information, including your Social Security number, during the tax preparation process.
Some tax topics or situations may not be included as part of this service, but your security is a top priority, now and always. – Unlimited access refers to an unlimited quantity of expert contacts available to each customer. Service hours limited to designated scheduling times and by expert availability.
Tax experts say you should consider other things when hiring a tax preparer, tax pro, or expert to get the best results. The following tips will help you select the right tax adviser, tax pro, or preparer.
Ask for a (PTIN) preparer tax identification number.
The IRS requires someone who prepares your federal income tax returns and forms, assists you in preparing them, and returns your federal income tax returns and tax forms for compensation to have a PTIN. It’s important to note that tax preparers who work for no compensation do not require PTINs. The IRS requires your income tax preparer to include a PTIN number on your return.
Law license, CPA, or enrolled agent are choices
A PTIN is a basic requirement that’s relatively simple to acquire, so it’s worth it to look for a credentialed preparer who is also a certified public accountant (CPA), licensed attorney, or enrolled agent (EA). Each designation requires ongoing study, but professionals with these designations are generally expected to have higher education and experience.
In addition, you can consider charging additional fees this tax season if your company works with a tax expert who has completed the IRS’ Annual Filing Season program. Several programs, such as Accredited Tax Preparer and Accredited Business Accountant/Advisor, are available to assist preparers with the Annual Filing Season Program.
Find referrals from friends!
Which are the best tax preparers near you that have the credentials you want to file with? One method is to search the IRS’s directory. It includes preparers who file with recognized IRS credentials and PTIN holders. The database will only include volunteer preparers or preparers who pay to file for taxpayers with PTINs.
A good tax advisor, tax professional, or tax expert must be a member of an organization such as the National Association of Tax Professionals, the National Association of Enrolled Agents, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, or the American Academy of Attorney CPAs. There are several codes of ethics and professional conduct requirements for these organizations.
If you already work with a financial advisor, find out if they provide tax advisory or planning services. The tax advisor or professional they connect you with can help you.
Compare tax preparation fees.
How much does a tax preparer charge? Based on a Drake Software survey of over 3,600 tax preparers in the United States conducted in 2023, the average fee for preparing a non-itemized Form 1040 will be around $285. There is an additional $256 fee for an itemized Form 1040. Our fee is $130 for returns that do not have a business or rental property.
Tax preparers often charge four types of fees: the biggest refund, the big refund with a minimum fee, the biggest refund plus the complexity fee, or the biggest refund plus the set fee for each form and schedule required to complete your return. An IRS tax preparer who claims to be able to get you a bigger refund than your neighbor is a red flag. Our skilled Tax Pros can handle your tax questions, from the simple to the complex.
Our maximum refund guarantee means that no one else gets you a bigger refund, guaranteed, or you get your tax prep fees back. And any way you file, you’ll always get your max refund. Guaranteed.
Consider e-filing tax advisors.
Tax preparers who prepare more than 11 returns for clients must file amended returns electronically using the IRS’s e-file tax software. Your tax preparer might prepare fewer taxes than you thought if they have a small business or other tax prep software that does not offer e-file tax software or free online filing.
However, if you are looking for an online filing option, you can consider using Credit Karma Tax, along with other providers like 1040.com, 1040Now, 1040return.com, eSmartTax, Express1040, and FileYourTaxes.com. Electronic filing is becoming increasingly popular as it offers a convenient and efficient way to submit your tax returns electronically.
Confirm that they’ll sign
In-person, paid preparers must sign and provide their clients’ federal tax returns. You should never sign a blank tax return as the preparer will likely put anything on the return to steal your refund, including their bank account number.
Ensure your advisor is behind you.
You can hire an enrolled agent, a CPA, or an attorney with a PTIN to make tax software and help you with payments, audit your own taxes, and collect issues with the IRS. The PTIN is insufficient to qualify for tax help – some limitations apply even if the preparer prepared your tax return. The Annual Filing Season Program allows preparers to represent clients only in certain circumstances.
Also, availability is crucial. Your tax return may have already been filed, which is history. However, the best tax preparers will answer your phone calls or emails or even meet you for a free consultation.
If you don’t need to meet with an accountant face-to-face, consider hiring an online tax preparation company. If you have questions while filing your taxes, you can get real-time assistance from many online tax experts and preparers.
How to Avoid Scam Tax Preparers
This year, according to the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, people must carefully choose who files their tax returns. The agency says they regularly get complaints about unscrupulous tax preps who hurt customers and use their tax returns for fraud, identity theft, and other crimes.
The IRS makes these mistakes intentionally, so ensure you thoroughly review your tax return once it’s ready, says Chris Picciurro, Teaching Tax Flow and Integrated CPA Group. It is all about trust and holding someone accountable.
Picciurro said most preparers claim children as dependents when they aren’t and take advantage of government benefits and credits, such as the child tax credit. An IRS investigation revealed that in 2021, a married Holt couple inflated their client’s dependency exemptions and earned income tax credits or lowered a head of the household status to get a higher refund, so a federal court permanently enjoined them from preparing returns for others. For the first time, ITIN holders qualify for the CalEITC.
Watch Out for
An investigation found that the couple pocketed some refunds from their taxes. In the past year, a Detroit-area preparer has been shut down twice by a federal court.
In his letter to taxpayers, Picciurro states that taxpayers who make errors or provide false information may be liable for unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest. He said people need to vet prior-year tax return preparers before e-filing them.
It is essential to be organized and have a good list of questions, indicated Picciurro. Consider the changes in your life over the past few years – Did you give birth to a child? Have you changed your marital status? Do you have any recent refinancing?
Did you move your residences or do anything else that could affect your tax situation? If you filed federal & state income taxes last year, have them handy. Therefore, preparation is crucial to achieving the best results possible, including managing your real estate taxes effectively.
Red flags
Make sure you don’t sign a blank tax return. Look at your federal tax return before signing it, and question any suspicious deductions. Ask your tax preparer how they calculated things and if you have any questions before signing your federal tax return.
You can sign the form and file it online here or have the paid tax preparer sign it before you file the amended return online. An individual who prepares a tax return for a fee must have a preparer tax identification number.
Preparers must sign the tax return, complete the details, and include their PTIN. In order to file your tax return accurately and meet the eligibility requirements, it is important to have a copy of your prior year tax return and the contact information for your paid tax preparer in case you need to contact them, or you hear from the IRS in the future. Every tax return service should be willing to provide you with a copy.
Make Sure…
Make sure you know how you will receive your refund. If you want your refund by prepaid card or via direct deposit, ensure your bank account’s direct deposit, routing number, and account number are entered correctly on the completed return.
Make sure you understand how tax preparers charge taxes and fees, including any potential state penalty. It would be a red flag if someone charged you an additional fee for taxes or fees as a percentage of the refund you received, says Grant. You may pay an hourly rate for tax planning and filing from a CPA or another professional tax software if the complexity of the return or taxes you will file online is high. Also, there are several free online tax preparation services available. Actual prices for paid versions are determined based on the version you use and the time of print or e-file and are subject to change without notice.
Avoid Refund Anticipation Loans
It is advisable to avoid refund anticipation loans. Preparers who promise faster refunds usually charge higher fees or interest rates. Salas says the quicker they get your money, the higher the cost. It is not always clear what the service fee is.”
Take the example of filing your tax return electronically and receiving your refund electronically. In that case, the money usually takes 21 days to reach you. IRS’ Where’s My Refund? IRS service allows you to check your refund status online tool. No interest, no loan fees, and no impact to your credit score. However, it is important to note that refund anticipation loans can have a negative impact on your credit score.
After you file
Furthermore, after filing your tax return, you should continue to be aware of scams. Some crooks purport to be representatives of the IRS and send taxpayers email or phone messages requesting personal or banking information before they can receive their federal refund. Salas states that the IRS will not contact you. Do not respond to unsolicited IRS calls, texts, or emails. The IRS will contact you directly if they have questions about your account.
Alternatively, suppose you have any issues with a tax return service preparer. In that case, you may file a complaint with the IRS by filing Form 14157, a Return Preparer Complaint. You can also contact your local or state consumer protection agency. To ensure compliance with laws, inspectors from New York City’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection visit tax prep businesses.
Conclusion
In conclusion, filing your taxes online can be daunting; the last thing you want to worry about is falling victim to a scam tax preparer fraud. You can protect your finances by keeping these tips in mind and being vigilant in your search for a reliable tax return preparation service. This will ensure that your taxes are prepared accurately and ethically. Remember to always do your research, check for credentials, ask about fees upfront, and be wary of refund anticipation loans. With these steps, you can rest easy knowing your taxes are in good hands.