TAX HELP!

[Guest062321]

Help filing or even interested in finding a CPA in the DFW area.
Any advice helps.
Thanks in advance.

[newalhobbyist]

Hello I am knowledgeable but I am NOT a CPA. For what years do you want to file? Which of those years had business income? Which had only wage/tips/etc income? Which had both? For which years did you make estimated tax payments? Feel free to PM me.

[Max1919]

TURBO TAX ONLINE, IT IS SIMPLE

[newalhobbyist]

If you use Turbo Tax, I would suggest not using the online version. Either download it and use it locally OR buy it in a retail establishment and install and use it locally. Also, I would suggest you print out the return (with an additional printed copy for your files) and file it on paper, not electronically. I think it is more secure doing it that way.

[Max1919]

Turbo tax online is fine, don't print the forms
They do it for you
They ask you all the right questions and then defend you if your audited by irs
It's easy and safe

[Guest010619]

Haven't you seen the ads on television?
You don't have to be a genius to use TurboTax.

[Danielle Reid]

I've used H&R Block for 8 years, no issues with them. I file electronically because I don't trust snail mail. Plus I want my return back in days, not weeks

[newalhobbyist]

It is my understanding that online use and filing of TurboTax contributed to some of the IRS's problems with identity theft and false tax returns. Of course if you need your refund NOW, that might override such concerns. I do not worry about that as I make sure I owe some on April 15th, but not enough to risk interest or penalties (generally, owe under $1000). I do prefer snail mail, certified, return receipt, for all communications with inept bureaucracies that have a lot of power and can lose important documents. But that is just me.

[Guest010619]

Originally Posted by newalhobbyist

Hello I am knowledgeable but I am NOT a CPA. For what years do you want to file? Which of those years had business income? Which had only wage/tips/etc income? Which had both? For which years did you make estimated tax payments? Feel free to PM me.

Since you're not a CPA I believe you would not be available to represent your client in the event of an audit nor would you be bonded or licensed in the eyes of the IRS.

[newalhobbyist]

That is correct. I am not a CPA so I can not represent a client as a CPA. I do not even have any clients as a tax preparer so I can not represent them in front of the IRS as a preparer. Now, I do have CPAs and attorneys as clients advising them on a number of issues including digital security, etc. I represent none of them before any tax authority; I represent none of their clients before any tax authority; I represent no one before any tax authority. There are CPAs and attorneys that use my advice to better advise their clients, structure their own businesses and affairs, etc, or so they tell me as they pay my invoice. I do have CPAs and attorneys that do refer their clients and other professionals to me for my paid opinion, advice, etc. But what do I know... Not much. It is just my humble opinion and advice. I was not addressing the point of being able to represent the client in front of the IRS. I WAS addressing some security concerns of mine of processing one's returns using over the internet software and filing electronically. One can use TurboTax on a local machine, print out copies of the return on paper, file via snail mail AND have TurboTax go with you when the IRS calls, or so I think.

[MoonlightingDancer]

Lol

[Guest010619]

Which is why I always use a CPA and recommend others do the same.

[myfavhobby]

A CPA or an Enroled Agent can represent a client before the IRS.

[newalhobbyist]

Many people are well-served by having a CPA do their taxes. Many people are well-served by having a tax preparer do their taxes. However, I often recommend a CPA over a tax preparer due to the higher requirements and less opportunity/benefits for malfeasance by CPAs over other preparers. CPAs lose more than a tax preparer if caught doing something wrong. Also, it does seem that more tax preparers are caught "over-delivering" tax refunds. Many people are well-served by tax preparation software. Some people are well-served doing their own taxes. It depends upon the situation and the person. I still would be VERY WARY of preparing a tax return using over-the-Internet software (as opposed to downloading locally-run software). I also would be VERY WARY of filing online. Most of the time you will be fine; I just do not think it is worth the risk.

[Poppa_Viagra]

Originally Posted by Danielle Reid

I've used H&R Block for 8 years, no issues with them. I file electronically because I don't trust snail mail. Plus I want my return back in days, not weeks

Rumor has it that if you file through H&R and if you have children listed on your return and if you have a refund due, the return will automatically be examined.