CHOOSING A TAX PREPARER

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Ratherthan repeat my annual post on CHOOSING A TAX PREPARER, let me summarize.
 (1)  You really should not use a “fastfood” tax preparation chain, like Henry and Richard, to prepare your taxreturn.  Fast food tax preparation chains are not cheap, and they certainlydo not provide the quality of service that an individual independent taxprofessional does.(2)  Contrary to the popular “urban taxmyth” perpetuated by uninformed journalists, just because a person has the initials “CPA” after his/her name doesnot mean that he/she knows his arse from a hole in the ground when it comes topreparing 1040s.Only those individuals who possessthe “EA” (Enrolled Agent) or “RTRP” (Registered Tax Return Preparer)designations have demonstrated competency in 1040 preparation by taking anIRS-sponsored test, and are required to remain current in 1040 law by taking aminimum number of hours in continuing professional education (CPE) in federalincome taxes each year. An “EA” is NOT an employee, representative, or “agent” of the Internal RevenueService.  An “EA” is an independent taxprofessional. While CPAs and attorneys who haveregistered with the IRS and received a PTIN (Preparer Tax IdentificationNumber) are permitted to prepare 1040s for compensation, they are exempt fromdemonstrating any degree of competence and are exempt from having to remaincurrent by taking CPE in federal taxation. (3)  And, of course, no tax preparation software is a substitute for knowledge of the taxcode. And no tax preparation software is a substitute for the services of atrained tax professional!  Garbage-in,garbage-out says it all.  AsI usually end the post - it may actually be possible that the best taxpreparer, at the best price, for your particular situation is either a CPA oran H+R Block, or other fast-food chain, employee. But this is only because ofthe education, experience, ability, temperament, and other factors that arespecific to that individual preparer. “Nuffsaid. TTFN