Here is a look at how a CPA can help with your taxes and what other options you have when looking for help or a tax accountant Hialeah or where you are.
What is it that a CPA can do to help with your taxes?
A Certified Public Accountant is a person who has trained in a specific manner so that they have a complete and deep understanding of tax laws and taxes Hialeah and elsewhere. They prepare and file income taxes and are aware of when changes in tax laws will impact you and know how to get through it. They can help with both state and federal tax returns, ensure you know of and are taking advantage of things like deductions and credits, and will sign off on your tax returns when they are done. Some offer additional services such as tax planning so you have year-round strategies in place.
The IRS grants CPAs something termed unlimited representation rights. It means a CPA can work on any tax concern for their client as well as represent them in appeals, audits, collection and payment problems. This is not something all tax preparers are allowed to handle.
What are your other options for tax preparers?
A CPA is a good choice but they are not the only option when you are looking for someone to handle your tax concerns. Other options include enrolled agents, a tax accountant Hialeah, tax attorneys and former IRS staff. They all have different experiences, focuses and fees. For example, a tax accountant is more expensive than some other options because they have a much higher level of training and experience.
Tax accountants tend to be pricier than other preparers because of their level of experience and education, but depending on your needs, another type of pro can also do the job. If you want someone who also has unlimited representation and practice rights from the IRS you have enrolled agents and tax attorneys. The former is any person who has passed the IRS three-part Special Enrollment exam. There is also coursework that has to be done every 3 years to keep their EA status. A tax lawyer or attorney is a law professional trained and passed the bar exam in all laws to do with taxes. Some also have an accounting degree or hold CPAs.
There are other people who might not have those specific credentials but who have trained in some way and can help. They might have completed the IRS annual filing season program for example. There are certain things they are limited to though.
Is it best to use a tax accountant or a CPA?
There is no set rule of when you should use a CPA and when you should see a tax accountant for your taxes Hialeah and beyond. It depends on how complex your taxes are, how confident you are, whether you are being audited and how much you are earn a year. You can also change who you use if something has changed to make things more complicated, like a divorce, retirement or such.