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The average national cost to have your taxes professionally prepared by an accountant is $200. Quite a bit of pocket change, to be honest; but, can you afford not to?



Most people miss at least $100 in deductions, which means that they pay too much money in for taxes and get too little back. This means that if you don't hire an accountant, it's going to cost you a lot.



Now that you know what you have to do, here are six suggestions that will help you pick the right accountant:



1. Pick an accountant you're actually going to meet in person, and talk with him or her at some length. It's best not to go to a big chain where just about anyone can handle your taxes. You might need your accountant at some other point in the year besides just tax time, and typically, big chains hire accountants in just from January through April. During off-season, it's probably going to take more work than it's worth to get a few simple questions answered.



2. A big chain is going to cost you more in the end than an individual accountant will. Yes, big chains look like they charge less up front, but the fine print tells you that they can charge extra fees, such as for each deduction. They can also charge you to guarantee the accuracy of your taxes. An accountant you hire yourself will both guarantee the work done with no extra charge, and will give you better and more personal service for less money.



3. Check accountant credentials. You'll need a licensed professional to handle your taxes. This is because only a tax lawyer, CPA or EA can represent you in court. Most states (except for California or Oregon) don't require any specific licensing for anyone who is a "tax professional." Therefore, the person who did your taxes may not be able to represent you in court. Make sure your accountant has the proper credentials and can represent you in court if necessary.



4. Ask for references and referrals. Just as with your doctor or dentist, ask friends and family for referrals. It's one way to help guarantee that you'll get good service and will be satisfied with the results.



5. Expect professional, courteous treatment. If your accountant is rude, doesn't return calls, or is otherwise unprofessional, find someone else. Remember that you're paying your accountant to do a job for you, and you should expect to get your money's worth, especially with the stress of tax season adding to difficulty. If you don't, find someone else.



6. Your expectations should be reasonable. Remember that your accountant can only work with what he or she is given. Therefore, if you are not responsible or have bad records, it's likely that the results aren't going to be perfect. However, your accountant can do the best job possible, and he or she may also be able to help you become better at keeping tax records yourself. Take advice from them as long as you trust them, and maybe taxes won't be so stressful next time.

About the Author

About the Author: Delano Vestal is a writer for Baskfield and Associates, a CPA in Rogers MN. Baskfield and Associates excells in small business and personal accounting and tax prep. As a Rating: Not yet rated