Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]

a { color:#0073AF !important;} a:hover { color:#004673 !important;}
IRS.gov Banner
IRS Tax Tips September 6, 2023

Useful Links:

IRS.gov [ [link removed] ]

Help For Hurricane Victims [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

News Essentials

What's Hot [ [link removed] ]

News Releases [ [link removed] ]

IRS - The Basics [ [link removed] ]

IRS Guidance [ [link removed] ]

Media Contacts [ [link removed] ]

Facts & Figures [ [link removed] ]

Around The Nation [ [link removed] ]

e-News Subscriptions [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

The Newsroom Topics

Multimedia?Center [ [link removed] ]

Noticias en Espa?ol [ [link removed] ]

Radio PSAs [ [link removed] ]

Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts [ [link removed] ]

The Tax Gap [ [link removed] ]

Fact?Sheets [ [link removed] ]

IRS Tax Tips [ [link removed] ]

Armed Forces [ [link removed] ]

Latest News [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

IRS Resources

Contact?Your Local IRS?Office [ [link removed] ]

Filing Your Taxes [ [link removed] ]

Forms & Instructions [ [link removed] ]

Frequently Asked Questions [ [link removed] ]

Taxpayer Advocate Service [ [link removed] ]

Where to File [ [link removed] ]

IRS Social Media [ [link removed] ]

?

________________________________________________________________________


Issue Number: Tax Tip 2023-109

__________________________________________________________

*The extension deadline is coming up ? avoid bad apples when choosing a preparer*

The October 16, 2023, extension filing deadline is coming up, and many taxpayers who requested an extension are now choosing a tax return preparer. Most tax return preparers provide honest, quality service, but there are some bad apples out there ? from unethical preparers to outright scammers. When hiring an individual or firm to prepare a tax return, taxpayers need to understand how to choose a tax preparer wisely [ [link removed] ] and what questions to ask.

*Things to consider when choosing a tax return preparer*


* *Ensure the preparer signs and includes their PTIN*. By law, anyone who is paid to prepare or help prepare federal tax returns must have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number. Paid preparers must sign and include their PTIN on any tax return they prepare. Not signing a return is a red flag that the paid preparer may be looking to make a quick profit by promising a big refund or charging fees based on the size of the refund. Taxpayers should avoid these unethical tax return preparers.


* *Make sure the preparer is available year-round*. If questions come up about a tax return, taxpayers may need to contact the preparer after the filing season is over.


* *Review the preparer's history*. Taxpayers can check with the Better Business Bureau [ [link removed] ] for information about the preparer, any disciplinary actions, and the license status for credentialed preparers. Other resources include: the State Board of Accountancy's website for CPAs; the State Bar Association for attorneys; and the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers [ [link removed] ] for enrolled agents, or verify an enrolled agent?s status [ [link removed] ] online.


* *Ask about service fees*. Taxpayers should avoid tax return preparers who base their fees on a percentage of the refund or who offer to deposit all or part of the refund into their own financial accounts. Be wary of tax return preparers who claim they can get larger refunds than their competitors.


* *Ensure their preparer offers IRS e-file*. The IRS issues most refunds in fewer than 21 days for taxpayers who file electronically and choose direct deposit [ [link removed] ].


* *Understand the preparer's credentials and qualifications [ [link removed] ]*. Attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents can represent any client before the IRS in any situation. The IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications [ [link removed] ] can help identify many preparers by type of credential or qualification. Tax return preparers who participate in the Annual Filing Season Program [ [link removed] ] may represent taxpayers in limited situations if they prepared and signed the tax return.

*Once a taxpayer has selected a tax preparer, they should stay vigilant*


* Good preparers ask to see records and receipts. They'll also ask questions to determine the client's total income, deductions, tax credits and other items. Taxpayers should avoid a tax return preparer who e-files using pay stubs instead of W-2s. This is against IRS rules.


* Taxpayers should review the tax return before signing it and ask questions if something is unclear or inaccurate.


* Any refund should go directly to the taxpayer ? not into the preparer's bank account. Taxpayers should check the routing and bank account number on the completed return and make sure they?re accurate.


* Taxpayers are responsible for filing a complete and correct tax return. They should never sign a blank or incomplete return and never hire a tax return preparer who asks them to do so.

Taxpayers can report preparer misconduct to the IRS using Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer [ [link removed] ]. If a taxpayer suspects a tax return preparer filed or changed their tax return without their consent, they should file Form 14157-A, Tax Return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit [ [link removed] ].

Back to top [ #top ]

?

________________________________________________________________________

FaceBook Logo [ [link removed] ]??YouTube Logo [ [link removed] ] ?Instagram Logo [ [link removed] ]? Twitter Logo [ [link removed] ] ?LinkedIn Logo [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for subscribing to IRS Tax Tips, an IRS e-mail service. For more information on federal taxes please visit IRS.gov [ [link removed] ].

This message was distributed automatically from the IRS Tax Tips mailing list. *Please Do Not Reply To This Message.*



?

________________________________________________________________________

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page [ [link removed] ]. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com [ [link removed] ].

This service is provided to you at no charge by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [ [link removed] ].


body .abe-column-block {min-height: 5px;} ________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] by: Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ? Internal Revenue Service ? 1111 Constitution Ave. N.W. ? Washington DC 20535 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
body .abe-column-block { min-height: 5px; } table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;}