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Recommendations for tax adviser

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Started 2 years ago by atalou
Latest reply from TaraK

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advice
taxes

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atalou
ShoNo
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My husband and I married last year and decided to use Jackson Hewitt's services as it was the first time we were filing jointly. In addition, we had some various other issues (graduate tuition assistance, student loans, etc.) that we wanted to make sure we were covering correctly. Our experience was, in short, terrible and we ended up finding on our own an oversight by the tax preparer that cut our return down by about $2K.

If you have a recommendation for a good, local accountant, please pass it along.

Posted 2 years ago #
TaraK
probably at the coffee shop
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Yes, please do. Looking for one as well.

Posted 2 years ago #
theroberthogan

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If you need a good accountant to prepare your individual or small business taxes, please hit me up. You can email me, theroberthogan at gmail dot com. I would be more than happy to meet with you to talk about the personalized services I offer my clients.

Robert Hogan

Posted 2 years ago #
TaraK
probably at the coffee shop
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Thanks, Robert.

Just wanted to bump this up. I'd like to know others' experiences with tax preparers and who you'd recommend.

Posted 2 years ago #
misskitty
Columbus
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I am a firm believer that places like H&R block and Jackson Hewitt are a Rip off. They charge way too much for something that can be done on line for way cheaper. The worst part about it is the commercials. Ã¢â‚¬Å“ We can find 500 moreÃ¢â‚¬Â ThatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s a joke they have no loop holes they just find your human error. I have seen a lot of BBB complaints and consumer affairs reports about how bad they screw up. Not worth the chance in my opinion taxes are not hard Enough to pay someone 300 bucks to file.

Posted 2 years ago #
lifeliberty
Here
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How much does it cost to get taxes done? I don't think the accountant my family uses ever charged me above $100.

I'm not sure I'd go to anyone that advertised on TV [cept for maybe that Mo Money guy ;) ]. I thought the big tax companies just hire seasonal temps to do the paperwork instead of using certified public accountants.

Posted 2 years ago #
misskitty
Columbus
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lifeliberty wrote >>
How much does it cost to get taxes done? I don't think the accountant my family uses ever charged me above $100.
I'm not sure I'd go to anyone that advertised on TV [cept for maybe that Mo Money guy ;) ]. I thought the big tax companies just hire seasonal temps to do the paperwork instead of using certified accountants.

All the people that I know that go to H&R pay 300 and up for tax situations. Even when I offer to help them do their taxes they insist that Those people can get them more back. I use Turbo Tax it has yet to fail me for the fifty bucks I pay.

Posted 2 years ago #
lifeliberty
Here
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i also agree that turbo tax is the way to go if I did them myself.

Is that $300 they are being charged part of the fee that is incurred for the instant tax refund, basically like a Check cashing store? Or is it the preparation fee alone?

Posted 2 years ago #
theroberthogan

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The fundamental problem with the chain store tax preparers is the lack of professionalism. For the most part, they are staffed by people who are just looking for a part time job, and don't take the training they get seriously. That's I always recommend finding an accountant who passionate about the profession to help you out. Not only will they do a better job at preparing your taxes, but they will also help you plan for next years taxes as well.

I've never really done a cost comparison before, but what I charge for tax services is done on a sliding scale depending upon the complexity of your return. A simple 1040EZ is only $50, and the most complicated returns only cost $200. I also offer a 50% discount for police officers, firefighters, nurses, and teachers. I also offer free tax preparation for active duty military families.

Posted 2 years ago #
misskitty
Columbus
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lifeliberty wrote >>
i also agree that turbo tax is the way to go if I did them myself.
Is that $300 they are being charged part of the fee that is incurred for the instant tax refund, basically like a Check cashing store? Or is it the preparation fee alone?

They charge by forms and deductions. I used their online "cost estimator" for a simple return including house, kid etc. and it said vv

Item
Price

Professional Tax Service - Federal Return (Form 1040) $99.95
Professional Tax Service - State Return(s) $29.95
Itemized Deductions (Schedule A)
$29.95

Estimated Total* $159.85
* Your tax professional will be able to give you an exact total once they have received all of your tax information.

Now when you add in all the other stuff like Audit protection (joke), Faster refund, or rapid refund it climbs even more.

Only went there one time. I did not have any thing complicated. I was a teen at the time and they told me 210 then. I promptly grabbed my papers off the desk walked out and did them myself.

You would think that a place with so many complaints on them would make people research it more.

Here is a good artical on taxes and H&R
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/112363/10_things_h_r_block_wont_tell_you.html

Posted 2 years ago #
Tenzo
Chicago Lakeshore
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Turbotax

No, really

Do turbotax first. If it does not spit out the numbers you expect, then see an accountant. Using turbotax will accomplish a few things.

1) Might be all you need
2) It will help you realize what you need. What documents to get.
3) If you do go to an accountant the information you present him will be organized and allow him to move quickly and understand your situation a lot better, so he can do a better job for you.

Posted 2 years ago #
Roland
Victorian Village
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Aren't there some benefits to having a CPA prepare and file your taxes? I thought that if you ever get audited or have trouble with the IRS, that the CPA is on the hook for resolving such matters.

This year I'm planning to use a CPA since I have my own business now. I just don't want to screw anything up and there's a lot of expenses things that go beyond my usual, limited, tax expertise.

I'm having this done today so I'll post my experience tonight or tomorrow.

Posted 2 years ago #
Tenzo
Chicago Lakeshore
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It may increase your chances of getting audited.
Having a good CPA do your taxes will not make any difference in your odds of being audited.
However, if the IRS computer shows a certain tax company makes a lot mistakes that have lead to audits, the chance of his clients being audited increases.

The IRS will flag bad tax preparers.

Posted 2 years ago #
misskitty
Columbus
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Just make sure you read all the fine print.
Most people think itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s just standard print and sign away but no two forms are the same.

Posted 2 years ago #
Tenzo
Chicago Lakeshore
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misskitty wrote >>
Just make sure you read all the fine print.
Most people think itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s just standard print and sign away but no two forms are the same.

As witnessed by Ibiza buyers.:)

Posted 2 years ago #
misskitty
Columbus
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Tenzo wrote >>

misskitty wrote >>
Just make sure you read all the fine print.
Most people think itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s just standard print and sign away but no two forms are the same.

As witnessed by Ibiza buyers.:)

Well Yea ,
In any situation always read it. I have a habit of doing it and people have got a bit annoyed by it with me. I am ok with that when someone says Ã¢â‚¬Å“ ok I just need you to sign thisÃ¢â‚¬Â They always see like they are rushing. I donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t rush anything my name is going on one lady kept making loud breath sounds and huffing sounds as I was reading. I just smiled :D

Posted 2 years ago #
the cruise director
German Village
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My husband and I had a similar situation to the original poster's last year (newly filing as married, student loans, mortgage interest, etc.) and used Turbo Tax Online. I've used TT for years, and have always found it pretty easy to do. We just filed this year using TT again, and they have made some improvements that make joint filing even easier (especially if it's your first time). I was really pleased with the experience.

Bonus - You can use the software for free online. You only pay when you decide to use TT to actually file your return. There is no additional charge to e-file (rather than print and mail).

Double Bonus - You can often find discounts for TT in many places (your bank might offer one), so we ended up getting 30% off the stated price.

Posted 2 years ago #
Mez
Close to GV
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My girlfriend and I had used H/R Block and a few years ago we switched to On The Mark Tax Service http://www.otmtax.com, Mark Dent. He charges less than H/R and is also a tax attorney, and former JAG Lawyer in the Army. He got us extra refunds by refiling our previous taxes since he found numerous dedcuctons that were not taken or used properly. He also will represnt you if the IRS comes calling and questions the returns he has filed for you.

His prices are really good and he is also doing my business taxes this year and they will be less than 25% what my biz partner paid to have them done by another CPA firm here in town last year.

Posted 2 years ago #
lifeliberty
Here
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I like that prices are up front http://lawofficeofmarkdent.com/on_line_resources/2010_price_list.PDF

Posted 2 years ago #
Analogue Kid
5th by West-Northwest
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If you send me your bank account and social security numbers, I can have your taxes done by a Nigerian Prince!

Posted 2 years ago #