Business

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Sunday, December 7, 2008 Tips for choosing a tax preparer As the financial crisis continues to play out, the ongoing uncertainly has underscored the need for many of us to get our financial houses in order. Indeed, the slumping economy has made many of our personal finances more complex this year than they were in the past. As a result you may be thinking about looking for a tax preparer. It's never too early to plan, so you may want to start asking around for references. As you start your search, we offer some tips from the Internal Revenue Service on how to choose a tax preparer: 1. Avoid preparers who market themselves as being able to obtain a larger refund than other firms. 2. Stay away from preparers who guarantee results or base fees on a percentage of the refund. 3. Understand that a preparer will ask for receipts and ask plenty of questions to determine your eligibility for certain deductions. So don't be put off. 4. Determine the preparer's credentials: Is the person an enrolled agent -- a tax law specialist -- a certified public accountant or a tax attorney? Only preparers with these certifications can represent taxpayers before the IRS. 5. Choose a firm where you know exactly who will be preparing your return and that it won't be delegated to a junior staffer. 6. As a final safeguard, check with the Better Business Bureau or other regulatory agencies, such as the state bar association, to determine if the person has any history of questionable conduct. Associated Press READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Shot ends search for man sought in killing of Seattle police officer 2. Thousands honor slain Seattle police officer Timothy Brenton 3. No charge will be filed in death of Everett pedestrian 4. Rain, thunderstorms forecast for lowlands 5. Bothell steamrolls Stanwood 6. PREP FOOTBALL/SWIMMING ROUNDUP: Halfback pass for touchdown sparks Sultan win 7. More jibba-jabba 8. Obama OK's homebuyer tax credit 9. Suspect identified in Seattle police killing 10. Dana nibbles into Somers’ lead 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Gough on track to keep job • Jazz vocalist headlines NPAC • Mountlake Terrace makes football history • Tax revenue sagging, city budgets lagging • ‘Touch of Magic' show opens at Gallery North • Jackson repeats as South champs • Holiday Bazaars Calendar • Meadowdale storms back to grab title • Edmonds moves to Fire District 1 • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million