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Choose Tax Preparer With Care

(Undated)  —  Beware of tax return preparers who promise extraordinary results.  That’s the message from the Internal Revenue Service as tax season moves into full swing. 

The IRS cautions taxpayers are legally responsible for a filed return, even it was prepared by another person or a company.  That means the taxpayer can be held liable for additional taxes, interest and penalties if a return is fraudulently prepared by someone else.  The IRS says to be wary of tax preparers who claim they can get larger refunds than other tax professionals and to avoid preparers who base a fee on a percentage of the refund.  The preparer should be willing to sign the return.  It’s a good sign when a tax preparer wants to see receipts, then asks thorough questions about expenses and deductions.  That means a preparer is trying to help a client avoid the consequences that could result from filing a fraudulent return.  More information about choosing a tax preparer is available at http://www.irs.gov