Can you trust your tax preparer

[AZ-Tax]

http://custom.yahoo.com/taxes/article-112045-57b07f08-a697-4dcf-b4f9-5223cb4d090a-can-you-trust-your-tax-preparer

One of the bullets half way down the page says:

• Refuse to list his or her Social Security number and sign the return, as required by law.

I understand if you dont have a PTIN, you use your SS#. Are we suppose to enter both our PTIN and SS# on each return we prepare?

[Y2KEA]

I read the "article". As usual, truth & accuracy are victims of senationalist reporting. Somebody forgot to do their homework before writing this tripe.

[S T]

I don't think so

Checked a couple of my returns through my software - My PTIN shows, the check self-employed box shows, and my firm's EIN # shows. I have my software checked to default to my PTIN rather than my SSN

The PREPARER is required to sign the return (Govt copies) whether that be an actual signature or the accepted Electronic-signature (which is a printed name generated by your software).

Sandy

[PIGLEE]

I have used a PTIN for years. I just put my PTIN, never my Social Security Number.

The PTIN was first started so we would not have to use our Social Secuirty Number.

[geekgirldany]

Read this in the USA Today sunday insert on "how to choose a tax preparer".

Likewise, steer clear of anyone who won't discuss fees in advance, says Edward Karl, vice president of taxation for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Some preparers may not be able to provide an exact amount until they see your return, but they should be able to give a range or explain how fees are calculated.

http://www.usaweekend.com/article/20110218/MONEY/102200306/How-to-choose-a-tax-preparer

I was giving out estimates but have stopped as it seems (as discussed before) most are price shoppers and never make an appointment. I had one person call and asked if I charged by form. I said yes then they wanted to know the cost on each form. Crazy.

[taxxcpa]

Price shoppers

If the first thing someone who calls says is "How much do you charge for a tax return?" I always say MOST returns are from $100 to $ 500.
Anyone who asks that question as soon as they call is not a desirable client and is looking for someone who charges $10 or $15.

I suppose those people would call a doctor and ask how much do you charge for brain surgery and go to a cut-rate brain surgeon.

If it is someone that begins by telling them that an existing client referred them or someone i've met, I will then give them some sort of estimate based on their answers to a few questions.

[JG EA]

I had someone call and ask about my fees. I said I'm not taking new clients right now. They then still wanted to know my fees! I said what does that matter now?

[geekgirldany]

Ya I've started telling them "Starts at $50 for 1040EZ and State from there it can go up to $500. Make an appointment and I can give you a better estimate". Some do and most don't.

[Possi]

My quote

I give them a quote: "I'll save you more money than you'll ever pay me!"

Yes, you can use it!

[superman]

Cost

People are price savy now days and I have low overhead so I can work on the price. One thing is for sure though I am better and cheaper than any national chain. One thing that blows me away every year is how much people pay at the national chains and they go back year after year even though they know they are getting ripped off. That is not my opion but what they say when they come into my office and I charge a fraction of the price for the same work.

There will always be the price shoppers but you will always get good clients out of some of them that come in and at first are the price shoppers but soon relize that it is worth paying someine that is good and will save them money and a headache.

Superman

[jeff501]

I have a handful come in every year with past returns prepared by different places each year. In my experience, they're usually trouble as they endlessly call with silly questions and even ask why the person did this or that a certain way in the past.

I love the ones who call who got tax advice from their co-worker. "He always gets more because he does it this way..." Seems like people who work for themselves like to take 100% of their mileage "and have done it that way for years".

Also I've found that if the first thing they ask when they call is what I charge, that's not a good sign. I pretty much say the same thing as a couple of others in the thread said, it starts at $$ and can go as high as $$$ as I can't tell until I actually see what they have. I get a lot of "OK, thanks", click.

Its also amazing what people pay at the chains. I always tell them we all get the same numbers if the return is done right to begin with, plus they'll deal with me each year instead of the possibility of someone different each year.