WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today
reminded taxpayers of options available to them on IRS.gov to get information
and tips about selecting qualified tax professionals.
This is the third in a series of 10 IRS tips called
the Tax Time Guide. These tips are designed to help taxpayers navigate common
tax issues as this year’s April 18 deadline approaches.
Taxpayers can use the IRS.gov/chooseataxpro website that includes a list of consumer tips for selecting a tax
professional. There is also a gateway
page with links to national nonprofit tax professional
groups, which can help provide additional information for taxpayers seeking the
right type of qualified help.
“The filing of a federal income tax return represents
one of the biggest financial transactions of the year for many Americans,
whether they are getting a refund or paying tax due,” IRS Commissioner John
Koskinen said. “Choose your tax return preparer carefully because you entrust
them with your private financial information that needs to be protected.”
Over half of the more than 150 million individual
returns filed last year were prepared with the help of a paid return preparer.
For example, some taxpayers may want to get help with
the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, and tax professionals provide one of
several options available. The vast majority of people will only have to check
a box on their federal income tax return to indicate they had health coverage,
but others have Marketplace coverage with tax credits, have exemptions or need
them, or may have to make a payment because they could afford to buy health
insurance but chose not to. Tax professionals can help guide taxpayers through
what they need to do in these circumstances.
There are some basic tips taxpayers can keep in mind
when selecting
a tax professional. They include:
·
Select an ethical preparer. Taxpayers entrust some of
their most vital personal data with the person preparing their tax return,
including income, investments and Social Security numbers.
·
Make sure the preparer signs the return and includes
their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). All paid preparers are
required to have a valid PTIN.
·
Review the tax return and ask questions before
signing. Taxpayers are legally responsible for what’s on their tax return,
regardless of whether someone else prepared it.
·
Never sign a blank tax return. It’s a clear red flag
when a taxpayer is asked to sign a blank tax return. The preparer can put
anything they want on the return – even their own bank account number for the
tax refund.
Last year the IRS launched a Directory
of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications on the IRS website to help taxpayers verify credentials and
qualifications of tax professionals. The Directory is a searchable, sortable
database with the name, city, state and zip code of credentialed return
preparers as well as those who have completed the requirements for the IRS Annual
Filing Season Program .
The IRS requires anyone who prepares any federal tax
return for compensation to obtain a PTIN. All valid PTINs are issued by
the IRS. There are nearly 700,000 individuals with valid PTINs. Anyone with a
valid PTIN can prepare and sign federal tax returns they prepare.
For more information, see:
Other tips in the Tax Time Guide series are available
on IRS.gov.
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