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• Review the preparer’s history. Check the Better Business Bureau website for information about the preparer. Look for disciplinary actions and the license status for credentialed preparers. For CPAs, check the State Board of Accountancy’s website, and for attor- neys, check with the State Bar Assoc. For enrolled agents, go to irs.gov and search for ‘verify enrolled agent status’ or check the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers.
• Ask about service fees. Taxpayers should avoid tax-return preparers who base their fees on a percent- age 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.
• Find an authorized IRS e-file provider. They are qualified to prepare, transmit, and process electronical- ly filed returns. The IRS issues most refunds in fewer than 21 days for taxpayers who file electronically and choose direct deposit.
• Provide records and receipts. Good preparers ask to see these documents. They’ll also ask questions to determine the client’s total income, deductions, tax credits, and other items. Do not hire a preparer who e-files a tax return using a pay stub instead of a Form W-2. This is against IRS e-file rules.
• Understand the preparer’s credentials and quali- fications. Attorneys, CPAs, and enrolled agents can represent any client before the IRS in any situation. Annual Filing Season Program participants may rep- resent taxpayers in limited situations if they prepared and signed the tax return.
• Never sign a blank or incomplete return. Taxpay- ers are responsible for filing a complete and correct tax return.
• Review the tax return before signing it. Be sure to ask questions if something is not clear or appears inac-
curate. Any refund should go directly to the taxpayer — not into the preparer’s bank account. Review the routing and bank-account numbers on the completed return and make sure they are accurate.
• Taxpayers can report preparer misconduct to the IRS using Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Prepar- er (www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14157.pdf). 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 (www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14157a.pdf).
Extended Hours
In addition to this advice, the IRS also announced nearly 250 IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers around the country will extend their weekly office hours to give taxpayers additional time to get the help they need dur- ing the filing season. The extended office hours will continue through Tuesday, April 16.
The Springfield office, located at 1550 Main St., offers extended hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For questions about available services or hours of opera- tion, call (413) 788-0284.
The expanded hours at the assistance centers reflect funding and staffing made possible under the Inflation Reduction Act, which is being used across the IRS to improve taxpayer service, add new technology and tools, as well as help tax-compliance efforts.
“This is another example of how additional IRS resources are helping taxpayers across the country,” IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said. “Adding extra hours provide more options for hardworking taxpayers to get help with their tax issues. The IRS is continuing to work hard both during the upcoming tax season and throughout the year to find ways to make it easier for people to interact with us.” BW
“Not signing a tax return is a red flag that a paid preparer is likely not to be trusted. They may be looking to make a quick profit
by promising a big refund or charging fees based on the size of the refund.”
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