Typical Tax Questions

Why would I need a tax preparer? I can just do it online...

The increasingly complex tax system makes preparing your own return a risk. Tax programs are not designed to work for you. They may not clearly provide guidance in applying for all credits that are available to save you money. Tax preparation is not just 'punching some numbers in a computer.' Tax preparation is a skill-set consisting of knowledge and experience that cannot yet be replicated with a tax program.

Don't I need a CPA to do my taxes?

No, you do not need a CPA to do your taxes. A CPA has skills in dealing with complex financial situations and estate planning, corporate and partnership taxation, including mergers, acquisitions, forensic accounting, and corporate finance. An IRS registered tax preparer focuses on preparing and filing tax returns for individuals and small businesses. Their knowledge base is income tax, tax laws and form preparation and they do so at a lower fee rate than their CPA counterparts. Your tax preparer will refer you to a CPA if your tax situation calls for that level of intervention.

There are no "Secret Tax Tricks"

Misinformation, "Urban work buddy and family Legends," and of course, the internet boast Secret Tax Tricks only "we" know about. These are simply organizational marketing ploys claiming they "can get you more refund than anyone else."

We all are governed by the exact same laws. The only "cheat code" is having a skilled preparer who is educated and applies the current tax code.