Find a tax preparer near you
A tax preparer completes and files income tax returns for people and businesses. People hire one when their taxes get complicated: self-employment, rental property, a new business, a sale of investments or a letter from the tax agency. A good preparer signs your return, explains it, and keeps your information secure.
Find tax preparers by city
- New York, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- Philadelphia, PA
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Dallas, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Austin, TX
- Jacksonville, FL
- Fort Worth, TX
- Columbus, OH
- Charlotte, NC
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Denver, CO
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Nashville, TN
- El Paso, TX
- Washington, DC
- Boston, MA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Portland, OR
- Detroit, MI
- Memphis, TN
- Louisville, KY
- Baltimore, MD
- Milwaukee, WI
- Albuquerque, NM
- Fresno, CA
- Tucson, AZ
- Sacramento, CA
- Kansas City, MO
- Mesa, AZ
- Atlanta, GA
- Omaha, NE
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Raleigh, NC
- Long Beach, CA
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Miami, FL
- Oakland, CA
- Minneapolis, MN
- Tulsa, OK
- Bakersfield, CA
- Wichita, KS
- Arlington, TX
What do tax preparers do?
- Individual income tax returns
- Self-employed and gig worker returns
- Small business returns
- Rental property income
- Prior-year and amended returns
- Responding to tax notices
- Estimated tax payments
- Tax planning
- Multi-state returns
- Payment plan help
How do you choose a good tax preparer?
- Every paid preparer must have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) from the IRS. Ask for it.
- For audits and complex issues, look for a CPA, enrolled agent or tax attorney. They can represent you before the IRS.
- Check a CPA's license with the state board, and an enrolled agent's status with the IRS.
- Ask how they charge before they start.
- Ask whether they will be available after tax season if you get a notice.
- Make sure they sign the return and give you a copy.
All paid federal preparers need an IRS PTIN; some states add their own registration, and CPAs and attorneys are licensed by the state.
Questions to ask before you hire
- What is your PTIN, and what credentials do you hold?
- How do you set your fees?
- Will you sign my return as the preparer?
- Will you be available if I am audited or get a notice?
- How do you protect my personal data?
- Do you file electronically?
- Have you done returns like mine?
Red flags to watch for
- Basing the fee on the size of your refund.
- Refusing to sign the return, called a ghost preparer.
- Asking to have your refund deposited into their account.
- Promising a bigger refund than others before seeing your documents.
- Asking you to sign a blank return.
What changes the price?
- Number of forms and schedules
- Business or rental income
- Number of states
- Credential level of the preparer
- Bookkeeping cleanup or missing records
- Prior-year or amended returns
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a CPA and an enrolled agent?
Both can represent you before the IRS. CPAs are licensed by states and often do accounting and audits too. Enrolled agents are licensed by the IRS and focus on tax.
What should I bring to my tax preparer?
Bring ID, last year's return, income forms like W-2s and 1099s, records of deductions and expenses, and bank details for direct deposit.
Am I responsible for errors my preparer makes?
Yes. You are legally responsible for what is on your return. Review it before signing and ask about anything you do not understand.