How to Find the Best Tax Preparer for Your Situation

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As a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) who used to actually prepare taxes for other people, many are often surprised to learn that I don’t even prepare my own income tax returns anymore.

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Finding the right person (or software) to help with your taxes depends not only on the complexity of your tax situation, but also on what kind of service you’re looking for.

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Decide if You Want a Tax Preparer, an EA or a CPA

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A tax preparer as long as they have a PTIN, and that’s typically what you’ll get at the national chains like H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt, unless that person’s desk sign states otherwise.

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Enrolled Agents

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Certified Public Accountants

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If your situation is pretty simple, but you just don’t want to spend the time on preparation, then you may be satisfied with a tax preparer through one of the large chains.

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EA: National Association of Enrolled Agents CPA: That’s the best way to find a database of those in your area since CPAs are registered through their state rather than nationally. CPA/PFS: AICPA database

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[{"selector":"#anim-62dd094d-9a7a-4025-912e-27ea75a194c9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-58662ca3-209f-428a-885b-7966f76f3b07","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Three Strategies to Pay Off Credit Card Debt 3 Steps to Take When You’re Drowning in Debt SEC Marketing Rule: Asking for Testimonials and Endorsements

How to Find the Best Tax Preparer for Your Situation

As a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) who used to actually prepare taxes for other people, many are often surprised to learn that I don’t even prepare my own income tax returns anymore.

Finding the right person (or software) to help with your taxes depends not only on the complexity of your tax situation, but also on what kind of service you’re looking for.

What’s Best for You? It Depends!

Decide if You Want a Tax Preparer, an EA or a CPA

What’s the difference? It mostly depends on what each credential requires as far as experience and demonstration of knowledge.

A tax preparer as long as they have a PTIN, and that’s typically what you’ll get at the national chains like H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt, unless that person’s desk sign states otherwise.

Tax Preparers

Enrolled Agents

An EA (enrolled agent) is someone who has passed the IRS test for tax preparation and is allowed to represent taxpayers in front of the IRS.

Certified Public Accountants

A CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is someone who has a degree, studied accounting, and passed the Uniform CPA exam.

If your situation is pretty simple, but you just don’t want to spend the time on preparation, then you may be satisfied with a tax preparer through one of the large chains.

How to Choose the Right Tax Preparer for You

If you have a little more complexity like self-employment income, income in multiple states or rental properties, then you may want to look at either an EA or a CPA.

EA: National Association of Enrolled Agents CPA: That’s the best way to find a database of those in your area since CPAs are registered through their state rather than nationally. CPA/PFS: AICPA database

How to Find an EA or CPA to Help with Your Taxes

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