It's important to allow time to interview preparers. In his book, "The Right Way to Hire Financial Help," Charles Jaffe delves into a litany of questions to ask. Here's a sampler:
How long have you been preparing returns?
Based on my return from last year, do I face issues that are common among your clients?
What areas do you specialize in?
What credentials and continuing-education credits have you earned?
How many clients do you work with? (You want one who can devote attention to you.)
Are you open year-round and available to help with tax planning?
What percentage of your clients file an extension? Is it likely in my case?
How do you charge for your services, and what costs might I incur?
Will anyone else in your office work on my return, or will you complete it yourself?
Will you guarantee me a refund? Be wary if the answer is yes especially if the preparer hasn't looked at your records. An experienced preparer should be able to assess your return and tell you with reasonable confidence whether you're likely to owe or can expect a refund. But promising a refund can be a clue that the preparer will cook the numbers.
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