6 Questions to Ask Your Sales Tax Preparer
by Abdul Aziz Mondal Finance 05 November 2021
When tax season rolls around every year, it is important to remember that you are not doing yourself any favors by preparing your own taxes.
The world of sales tax preparation can be complex in some cases. However, even if you think that your business or individual needs in the way of sales tax preparation are simple enough for you to tackle, you should still seek out a professional to help.
If you have no experience with sales tax preparation, it is difficult to know exactly what to ask a sales tax preparer when they come in. The following are some important questions that you might want to consider asking the next time you get a chance to sit down and talk taxes.
1. How long have you been preparing taxes for others
The first question you should ask your sales tax preparer relates to their experience in the industry. While a professional may have a great deal of expertise in a certain area, they may not be the best fit for you if they do not possess much experience when it comes to preparing IRS-compliant forms.
While it can be a good idea to test out beginners with some services, when it comes to your taxes it’s best to go with experienced professionals.
2. What is your specialty area
Another question you should ask your sales tax preparer relates to their area of specialization. If this is a business that you own and operate, then you want to make sure that the person preparing your taxes has significant experience in filing and understanding all of the rules and regulations associated with tax matters for businesses.
3. What are the most common mistakes people make on their tax returns that they should be aware of
Most individuals and businesses want to do everything in their power to avoid making mistakes when filing their taxes. Unfortunately, we are all human and we make errors. However, if you prepare your own taxes, it is far less likely that you will make a mistake. If you do make a mistake, you can take steps to fix it. When someone else prepares your taxes, there is no such guarantee, and many people end up leaving money on the table that should have been refunded back to them.
4. Do you offer any guarantees or warranties with your work
Additionally, when choosing a sales tax preparer, you should be sure that they offer guarantees and warranties on their work. If they do not, then you can rest assured that they are very confident in the quality of their work.
5. Can I see a sample of your previous work before I hire you to do mine
A professional salesman will understand how important it is to be able to review a sample of someone’s work before choosing them as an employee. In the same way, if you are going to have your taxes prepared by someone else it can be extremely beneficial for you to review their previous work before hiring them.
6. Is there anything else I should know about hiring you to prepare my taxes this year
Finally, when deciding on who will prepare your taxes this year, you should ask the chosen professional if there is anything else that might be helpful for you to know about hiring them or if they have any questions for you or anything special that they need from you.
Conclusion
By asking these six questions, you are ensuring that the sales tax preparer you choose is the right fit for your specific situation.
Whether you are filing your own taxes or you hire someone else to do it for you, make sure that they have a proven track record of success.
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