Recently, the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) shared recommendations for selecting the right tax professional this filing season. Consider the following when choosing a tax professional:
+ What kind of formal training does the professional have and how current is their training?
+ Where did they receive their training?
+ What professional licenses or designations do they hold?
Examples: Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP), Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Enrolled Agent (EA), or Registered Accounting Practitioner (RAP).
+ Do they belong to any professional organizations?
+ How long have they been doing tax returns?
+ What is the tax preparation cost and how are fees calculated? Are there any special fees?
+ Do they offer e-file services?
+ Is the tax professional available year-round?
+ Will they represent you if audited by the IRS or ADOR?
+ Are there additional fees for audit representation?
+ What security measures do they have in place to safeguard clients’ tax records?
Arizona law requires tax professionals who prepare income tax returns to follow standards of ethics and conduct.
The deadline for taxpayers to file 2017 taxes is Tuesday, April 17. Officially, it is April 15, but with the date falling on the weekend and with Monday, April 16, being District of Columbia Emancipation Day in Washington D.C., the last day to file tax returns is April 17.