How to Buy Tax Preparation Services

Tips on buying tax preparation services

1. Begin by assessing your needs, as well as your tax situation for the year you're filing for. If you're low on money and your taxes are straightforward (i.e. if you only held one job during the given year, didn't sell stock, etc.), then you might want to consider doing them on your own, or getting a numbers-savvy friend to do them for you. However, if you know you have a complicated situation on your hands, consult a tax professional. Simply look up the word “tax” in your local yellow pages to find services in your area.
2. Write down the names and numbers of tax professionals, and then begin making calls to get a grip on what their fees are. Most tax professionals won't be able to tell you what your preparation fee will be until they're done, but they might be able to give you a ballpark figure, based on a description of your tax situation. You should also ask friends, family and co-workers for tax professional recommendations.
3. Be absolutely sure you're dealing with a qualified professional. When you make an appointment to see someone, don't be afraid to ask for proof of credentials. Your options will most likely be a certified public accountant or an enrolled agent. Try to go with the latter, for they tend to specialize in taxes.
4. Collect all of your paperwork from the pertinent fiscal year to bring to the tax professional you hire. This will include W-2s and any other documents that played a significant role in the state of your finances for the given year. The more organized your paperwork is, the shorter amount of time it takes the tax professional to do your taxes (this ultimately means your fee won't be as high!).
5. After your taxes have been prepared, carefully review them with your tax professional. Make sure you understand everything he/she has done, and definitely be sure you know how much money you owe or how much money you're getting back.

Caution

Absolutely do not wait to the last minute to seek the services of a tax professional-make an appointment with one as soon as you get your W-2s. As April approaches, many will be without vacancies on their appointment calendars!

Where to buy tax preparation services

Gain access to some of the most popular tax service businesses in America below.

H&R Block allows you to get tax advice and help straight from their official Web site. You can also file your taxes online through the service, or find a tax professional to assist you.

Check into the Yahoo! Tax Center and consult their list of services for help with finding an accountant near you. You'll also find state tax profiles, a glossary of tax terms, tax calculators and tax preparation checklists.

The Web site for the tax preparation company Jackson Hewitt offers an office locator and a list of steps to take for getting your taxes done through one of their qualified tax professionals. Use their 1-800 number to make an appointment today!