You can not hide. Every year, if you work and earn a living, you must prepare and file a tax return with the IRS. Also, depending on your state of residence, prepare and file a state tax return. Imagine… If HR Block or Liberty Tax didn’t exist, who would you turn to to prepare and file your tax return? More than this, how would you choose the right tax preparer? In the tax preparation industry, you often think about:

• Is the tax preparer a scammer looking to rip me off?
• How do I know if they know what they are doing?
• Will they disappear after tax season and leave me high and dry?

In this article, you’ll find 3 solid and practical tips to help you select the right tax preparer. Use these 3 tips to reduce stress and fear. Leave confident that your selection not only has your best interests in mind, but will also help you legally reduce your tax bill.

1. Does he or she have a current PTIN?

The PTIN or ‘Professional Tax Preparer Identification Number’ is a number that the IRS assigns each year to those who collect money for doing taxes. This number is important because it must be approved by the IRS every year to get one. This annual approval process ensures that preparers do not have any problems with the IRS. You can check the current status of someone’s PTIN by visiting the IRS website and searching for “PTIN” in the search box.

2. Ask about their level of tax experience

This advice is really important. It’s one thing to have a current PTIN, but what good is it if you don’t know what you’re doing? Ask about past experiences in terms of clients, employment history, or even working with the IRS. At the very least, you want to work with someone who has completed a few tax seasons at one of the retail tax franchises like HR Block or Liberty Tax gold Has earned certain certifications or credentials based on years of experience or passing an exam. Another way to gauge tax experience is to ask specific questions about taxes that interest you or that you have had trouble with in the past. They should give you a concise and specific answer with relevant tax references.

3. What type of practice does he or she operate?

Lastly, and please, don’t overlook this tip. Ask about the type of tax practice they operate. It’s okay to work with those who don’t have an office or suite dedicated solely to practice. In today’s marketplace, technology has changed not only how tax preparers work, but also where. Most prep services are operated virtually. This does not excuse the lack of order, professionalism and accuracy of the tax return. Regardless of where or how the preparer works, you should have peace of mind in completing the return on time and correctly for a reasonable fee; the level of customer service received with the expectation of immediate follow-up; and the ability to contact them when needed during and after tax season.