DId you know that until 2010 anyone could be a tax preparer? A CPA, an enrolled agent, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker – anyone coule be a tax preparer! Before this tax season, there have been some real bizarre tax preparers out there. Now with the PTIN there is a little more regulation, but remember that when you sign your tax return, you are responsible for what gets filed. You should know what is on your return before you sign it or the efile documents attesting you have checked your return before filing. At my office, before I efile a return, I make sure my clients at least have an idea of why they are getting money back or owing, and the return is always reviewed before filing. Like I said, I have seen returns and heard stories where that is simply not the case. I heard a story the other day about a big tax preparation firm (a CPA firm no less, to my shame) that messed up the address of someone I know. When the client asked him to change the address, the CPA said just white it out and change it. He billed my friend $2500 and wouldn’t change the stupid address! It would have taken 5 minutes with the computer. This CPA obviously doesn’t know or care about customer service (I will talk about this another day).
Here are two articles about checking up on your tax preparer:
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/know-your-tax-pro-or-you-could-be-on-the-hook-2011-02-17?siteid=nbkh
http://blogs.smartmoney.com/tax/2011/02/18/just-how-trustworthy-is-your-tax-preparer/
Just remember if you get audited or the IRS or FTB contact you, you will have to pay the tax and go through the hassle of getting things resolved or you will have to pay someone to do it for you. Make sure it is done right the first time!