Your Business is NOT Growing  Are you too busy with the day to day operations of your business and the bookkeeping to focus on growing your business? Sometimes if a business owner could just step back and take the time to create and implement strategies, their business would do much better. Also, if you aren’t a “numbers” person, it probably takes you longer to do some of the tedious bookkeeping items than it would for you to be an entrepreneur. Business owners become business owners because they are entrepreneurs first. It is in their blood. Unfortunately, bookkeeping and numbers are a part of owning a business and can bog a business owner down and keep their creativity at bay.

You are Worried About Audits   If the thought of the IRS paying you a visit makes you nervous because your records aren’t in order, it may be better to have a CPA on your side. Compliant books will give you peace of mind in case you ever are audited.

You are Paying Too Much in Taxes and/or Overhead  A CPA can help you assess your tax and overhead situation. Many times we find that business owners are paying too much in taxes and that their overhead is much higher than it needs to be.

You Question Your Profit Margin and/or Business Structure  We will compare your profit margin to industry standards and if you are off, we will help you get back on track. Often, we find that money can be saved in taxes just by changing your business structure.

If you pay someone to prepare your tax return, the IRS urges you to choose that preparer wisely. Taxpayers are legally responsible for what’s on their tax return even if it is prepared by someone else. So, it is important to choose carefully when hiring an individual or firm to prepare your return.

Here are a few points to keep in mind when someone else prepares your return:

Check the person’s qualifications  Ask if the preparer is affiliated with a professional organization that provides its members with continuing education and resources and holds them to a code of ethics. New regulations effective in 2011 require all paid tax return preparers including attorneys, CPAs and enrolled agents to have a Preparer Tax Identification Number.

Check the preparer’s history Check to see if the preparer has a questionable history with the Better Business Bureau and check for any disciplinary actions and licensure status through the state boards of accountancy for certified public accountants; the state bar associations for attorneys; and the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility for enrolled agents.

Find out about their service fees   Avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of your refund or those who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers.

Make sure the tax preparer is accessible   Make sure you will be able to contact the tax preparer after the return has been filed, even after the April due date, in case questions arise.

Provide all records and receipts needed to prepare your return  Most reputable preparers will request to see your records and receipts and will ask you multiple questions to determine your total income and your qualifications for expenses, deductions and other items.

Never sign a blank return. Avoid tax preparers that ask you to sign a blank tax form  Review the entire return before signing it. Before you sign your tax return, review it and ask questions. Make sure you understand everything and are comfortable with the accuracy of the return before you sign it.

Make sure the preparer signs the form and includes their PTIN   A paid preparer must sign the return and include their PTIN as required by law. Although the preparer signs the return, you are responsible for the accuracy of every item on your return. The preparer must also give you a copy of the return.