Who Better to Rely on for Tax Preparation than the Firm that Solves Tax Problems Every Day
Preparing your income tax return can be a task that leaves you with more questions than answers. Like it or not, today’s tax laws are so complicated that filing a relatively simple tax return can be confusing. It is just too easy to overlook deductions and credits to which you are entitled, and often little mistakes can turn into big IRS nightmares. It’s best to leave tax preparation up to the experts.
When you hire Portfolio Tax and Accounting to prepare your tax return you can be assured it will be prepared and reviewed by an IRS-licensed professional. Your tax return will be analyzed by our state-of-the-art software specifically designed to identify potential problems the IRS may look at more closely. Once your return is complete it will be filed electronically providing proof of receipt by the IRS and State.
Do it Yourself Software vs Franchise Tax Companies vs Professional Tax Preparation
There are several options when it comes to tax preparation. The first option is to simply do it yourself. There are a few tax prep software programs that claim to help taxpayers do their taxes, and some of them are even free. If your return is simple you may be able to use this option, but we caution you, that many times when we meet taxpayers for a tax problem consultation we find it all started from doing their taxes.
The second option would be visiting a chain tax preparation company. When you visit one of these companies you might think that you’re working with a licensed IRS professional, but believe it or not, you’re most often not. These companies often hire seasonal workers and train them in the weeks leading up to tax season. That means that the person you’re relying on for financial advice could have been doing an unrelated job just a month or two before you met with them. It might be hard to believe but in most states, you need a license to cut hair, but not to prepare tax returns! While these seasonal tax preparers might know more than the average taxpayer and can handle basic returns, they are not considered tax experts. Again, if your return is simple this could be an option, but many of our tax-problem clients come from these places as well.
The final option is to hire a Certified Public Accountant or Enrolled Agent. At Portfolio Tax and Accounting, we use Enrolled Agents for tax preparation as only Enrolled Agents are required to demonstrate to the IRS their competence in all areas of taxation, representation, and ethics before they are awarded unlimited representation rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Unlike attorneys and CPAs, who are state-licensed and who may or may not choose to specialize in taxes, all enrolled agents specialize in taxation. These professionals are full-time year-round tax experts. They are held to a higher professional standard and are required to complete educational classes year-round to keep up to date on the ever-changing complicated tax laws. There isn’t much we haven’t seen, and nothing we can’t handle. Professional Tax Preparation at Portfolio Tax and Accounting starts around $300 for basic returns and increases with complexity.
Contact us below or at (407)-831-8002 to reserve your space this tax season. Space is minimal due to filing deadlines and the meticulous care given to each return. We will not be able to make any exceptions or take on any more clients once the list has reached capacity. Sit-down appointments are available, or you can elect to file all online. Simply send your information via our secure client portal and we will prepare your return and contact you with any questions.
