Beware the Part Time Tax Preparer
- Date: 2007-02-15 - Word Count: 476
Share This!
If there is something people enjoy less than preparing their tax returns, it is hard to imagine. If you look to another to do the job, be very careful who you pick.
The internal revenue code is a beast of government inefficiency and confusion. I dare you to pull it up on the web and try to give it a read. I guarantee you will be suicidal by the fifth page or at least trying to pluck your eyes out. Heck, even most IRS employees don't understand it. In a study a few years back, an independent group found IRS employees gave out the wrong tax information to taxpayers 50 percent of the time! Former President Carter even called the code a crime against humanity. Hard to argue with that.
As we close in on April, many people will think about having a go at preparing their own taxes. Some will actually go through with the process. Most, however, will throw their hands in the air and look for someone else to handle the mess. This someone else is the infamous tax preparer.
Most tax preparers are good, honest people. CPAs, in particular, are also schooled in all things tax and can get your return prepared with the minimum of fuss. Unfortunately, non-CPAs can be hit and miss when it comes to providing a quality service. In fact, you really need to know who the person is and whether they are even remotely qualified to do your return. Don't believe me? Well, the indicted school bus driver/tax preparer may change your mind.
Yolanda White is a school bus driver in St. Louis. Well, she was. Apparently looking to make a little extra cash, she started offer tax preparer services on the side. While driving a bus full of kids around prepares you for many things, such as war, it really isn't helpful when it comes to the old 1040 form. Ms. White is finding this out the hard way.
On February 1, 2007, the Department of Justice was successful in obtaining an injunction barring Ms. White from preparing any further returns. She apparently had problems claiming the correct deductions and amounts for the same. The IRS audited 30 of the returns she had prepared out of 337 and found all over them to fraudulently claim deductions that had no business being claimed. Where a deduction could be claimed, she also had a habit of inflating the amount of the deduction well beyond the actual amount that could be claimed by the taxpayer. The IRS is now planning to audit the remaining 307 returns she prepared.
Preparing your taxes is pretty low on the totem pole of fun. That being said, make sure you use someone who is qualified to do it should you go in that direction.
Richard A. Chapo is with BusinessTaxRecovery.com - providing tax articles.
The internal revenue code is a beast of government inefficiency and confusion. I dare you to pull it up on the web and try to give it a read. I guarantee you will be suicidal by the fifth page or at least trying to pluck your eyes out. Heck, even most IRS employees don't understand it. In a study a few years back, an independent group found IRS employees gave out the wrong tax information to taxpayers 50 percent of the time! Former President Carter even called the code a crime against humanity. Hard to argue with that.
As we close in on April, many people will think about having a go at preparing their own taxes. Some will actually go through with the process. Most, however, will throw their hands in the air and look for someone else to handle the mess. This someone else is the infamous tax preparer.
Most tax preparers are good, honest people. CPAs, in particular, are also schooled in all things tax and can get your return prepared with the minimum of fuss. Unfortunately, non-CPAs can be hit and miss when it comes to providing a quality service. In fact, you really need to know who the person is and whether they are even remotely qualified to do your return. Don't believe me? Well, the indicted school bus driver/tax preparer may change your mind.
Yolanda White is a school bus driver in St. Louis. Well, she was. Apparently looking to make a little extra cash, she started offer tax preparer services on the side. While driving a bus full of kids around prepares you for many things, such as war, it really isn't helpful when it comes to the old 1040 form. Ms. White is finding this out the hard way.
On February 1, 2007, the Department of Justice was successful in obtaining an injunction barring Ms. White from preparing any further returns. She apparently had problems claiming the correct deductions and amounts for the same. The IRS audited 30 of the returns she had prepared out of 337 and found all over them to fraudulently claim deductions that had no business being claimed. Where a deduction could be claimed, she also had a habit of inflating the amount of the deduction well beyond the actual amount that could be claimed by the taxpayer. The IRS is now planning to audit the remaining 307 returns she prepared.
Preparing your taxes is pretty low on the totem pole of fun. That being said, make sure you use someone who is qualified to do it should you go in that direction.
Richard A. Chapo is with BusinessTaxRecovery.com - providing tax articles.
Related Tags: tax, prepare, taxes, preparation, irs, 1040, deduction, preparer, cpa, taxed
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Secrets to Getting Low Down Payment Car Insurance
Upon purchase of a new car, there is almost always a requirement to buy an auto insurance policy as - The Wisdom Behind Auto Insurance Comparison Quotes
No one in his right mind would not go for a good deal. In fact, everyone is out on their feet and ru - The Benefits of Auto Insurance Comparisons Florida
Insurance can be expensive. This is something everyone knows about especially in the sunny state of - Auto Insurance Florida: The No-Fault Policy
There are different kinds of car insurance offered by a wide range of providers today. Different sta - Finding the Cheapest Auto Insurance Companies
Everyone is asking and searching for the cheapest auto insurance companies available today. Consider - How do You Compare Private Health Insurance Cover in Australia?
Deciding what is the best and most affordable private health insurance cover can be easy if you take - How Payment Protection Insurance Was Mis-Sold
For over six years the issue of Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) and how it was mis-sold to custom - Finding Quotes For Auto Insurance Online
One of the many concerns when you are shopping for auto insurance is being able to get access to quo - How You Can Find the Best Auto Insurance Online
When it comes to renewing your car insurance you are going to quickly discover that there are a numb - Guidelines For Searching For Auto Insurance Online
The internet can be a great source of discounts and values related to auto insurance. However, many
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Trading Forex With Pivot Points
Forex Pivot Point Trading are used today by Forex Traders and are calculated on the previous days mo - Where To Search For Free Grants
Where do you look for free grants? The search must be thorough or it could be an exercise in futilit - The Connection Between High Blood Pressure and Salt
We are a society of Salt Addicts. It cannot be denied. When you look at the things we do and the pla - Tips For Avoiding HYIP Scams
Before knowing about HYIP Scams, refer to the functioning of HYIP or "High Yield Investment Programs - Getting Credit After Bankruptcy
Consumers do not have to live sans credit following a bankruptcy. By following certain steps consume - Tips For Choosing A Credit Card
Are you looking for that perfect credit card? If so, you may be confused about what exactly to look - Cheap Car Insurance For Teens Online
Many elements determine a car insurance policy. Car insurance companies look at the person's age, hi - What Exactly Is Free Grant Money?
You can apply for free grant money from various government agencies. But where exactly does this mon - Small Business Owners Marketing and Customer Service
Marketing can be time-consuming, but it doesn't have to be hugely expensive now, thanks to the Inter - Apply Online For A Credit Card - How To Choose A Card?
The best type of credit card for you will be dependant on how you intend to use the credit card. Are