Tax Preparation Knowledge Base
Tax preparation? Hi, I've always kind of had an interest in tax preparation, and was wondering in what might be a good route to go. I've already got a B.A. I've heard of the majors like HR Block, Jackson-Hewitt, Liberty, etc. But was just wondering if anyone has any advice who's been there? Is it possible to start a preparation business on your own, or do you need to be an accountant? I was looking at an associate's in accounting technology if that's necessary. Thanks! I do have a BA but correct, not in accounting...I was looking at some online classes, one of which kind of covers the basics in accounting through accounting technology, in the form of a certificate. I think they offer an associate's as well. Or would it be better to get some study guides for the SEE and take it from there?
How much does tax preparation classes cost? I am thinking about going to Jackson Hewitt or one of the many other tax preparation businesses for tax classes. I am already waiting for a representative to get back to me, but I was wondering what are the fees associated with enrolling in a tax school.
Is sales tax charged on Income tax preparation in Ohio? When someone gets their income taxes done (specifically in Ohio) is there a sales tax that is added to the cost of the preparers fees. If so is it charged on the total amount due/refunded or on the charge for the tax preparation itself?
What should I do about a tax refund error made by a national tax preparation company? "Get your refund quickly" the company promised but they left out one number and the check was returned to the IRS. I called the company and was told it was a banking error. Since I signed the paper the only thing they can do is give me the IRS phone number. My response~ I gave the correct number ~ it was not a banking error and I trusted the company to submit the correct information. Do you think they owe me anything? like a tax prep refund?Since it is a national company, who can I contact?
What is the difference between Tax Preparation Services? I whent to H&R block they told me I would only get back $430, then a buddy of mine told me to go to his moma pop shop tax services and they got me back $1200. Why can one get more than the other. I am fileing the short form and both made the same inputs and such but got different results... why?
How do tax preparation techniques compare with bankruptcy techniques and what are the ethical implications? Consider the following two scenarios. 1. Successful individual with six figure income and significant assets hires tax attorney/account to ensure every deduction and technique to reduce tax liability is explored and taken advantage. 2. Same situation as above but individual encounters serious financial downturn due to job loss or failed investments. Decides to exercise bankruptcy protection and hires attorney to ensure he is able to protect as many of his assets as possible and reduce financial liabilities as allowed by the legal process. Both have acted legally. Is there an ethical difference between them? Is there an ethical duty to pay taxes as required by a democratically elected government? Is there an ethical duty to pay private debt? Is there a difference between the two? Good answer; I ask because I recently heard an argument that people who use bankruptcy law to their advantage to resolve a financial problem are unethical or immoral.
Websites offering free tax preparation? Has anyone used any of the sites that offer free preparation of taxes if you make less than $54,000 a year? I went to the IRS web site and it has numerous sites that directs you towards free filing. I wasn't sure if its safe to do so.
How can I build my own Independent Income Tax Preparation Software?!? I have tried looking it up on google with no luck. All thats out there when I do a search is the current tax software such as turbotax and h&r Block's tax software. I know it can be done I just want to know how to do it and more importantly how to update it year after year to be in code with the current year's tax laws, etc. How can I do it and what software development if any do I need to buy???
How much should I charge for tax preparation? I just opened my tax prep. company and would like your opinions on REASONABLE tax prices. I was thinking of charging per form (e.g. 1040EZ, 1040A, Child Tax Credit, EIC, Itemized Deductions, Unreimbursed Employee Expenses..etc) I currently have clientel, but would like an official "price list" for walk-in customers. I also E-file and go to their home if necessary. Thanks!
Over charged on tax preparation? Do I have to accept forms and pay? I took our tax stuff to H&R Block - basic house hold, under 30,000 with a few intrest & dividen forms. I don't think he did a good job and I am supposed to go back with one more piece of information. He told me it would cost $295. I thought this was a bit much. Since I have not recieved any paper work, not signed any agreement nor completed the process; do I still have to accept the tax preperatiion and pay him or can I just take my toys and go home?
Help on establishing my own Tax Preparation Home Business!? This is in CALIFORNIA. I worked at HR Block part-time 3 yrs ago as TaxPro, but I had to stop due to my other fulltime work. Since then, I’d been doing taxes for my friends and senior relatives for free – they file as Self Prepared because I did not renew my license. Anyway, I’ve thought of establishing my owm small tax preparation office (as my business).. but I don’t know how to start? I have not done any business before so I am not familiar with the legalities. Can someone advise the steps to do for having my own tax preparation office. I will not employ anyone, I will be the doing the taxes. Where can I get the software Or what are the available TAX softwares I can use? And how much the cost? Do I need to register as LLC? Pls advise, Im a newbie in business.
What is the best and easiest tax preparation software? My wife and I have two incomes ($170k +) Many deductions, charity work, options, stock sale at a profit, dividen income, and an office at home. We have been going to a CPA the past few years paying $200 - $300 because of all the documents which is fine, but I'd like to try it myself. Thanks for your help. We don't have children (yet!)
What is the best company for tax preparation? I've always just filed for myself but this year I get the earned income credit and I can claim head of household and claim my daughter and I don't know how to do it myself... I've heard that H & R Block take like $300 dollars from your return... what company would you suggest that does it correctly but doesn't charge an insane amount of money? (300 doesn't sound like a lot but if I'm only getting 2000 or less back, it makes a difference) And I have a bunch of write offs and I have no idea how to do any thing like that so I really need to find a good company. Thanks so much for your help!
Is there a FREE way to have my 2005 tax preparation done online? Does anyone know if I can have refunds from previous years direct deposited into my account automatically? if so what website can I access this feature. Thanks in advance so if I use a service like "priortax.com" to fill out the papers for me (afraid of mistakes) and I print them off..... how do I get the "direct deoposit" request to the IRS? Where do I put that information? Thanks...
Why are you going to pay for tax preparation? I found this website two years ago and have saved hundreds of dollars doing my own taxes through there simple online tax program! You should check it out!!! http://www.completetax.com
Career in tax preparation? I'm ready to jump from engineering (boring) into a full time career in tax preparation. I just love taxes to the core of my very being (don't bother telling me how weird I am, I know already). There are many options and I want to hear from career tax people which they feel is the best and why? I want pros and cons. I'm also interested in potential annual salaries. 1) Full time job with a large firm like H&R Block, but not as a manager or any other job where you don't do many actual returns. 2) Tax firm franchise owner...should I purchase an existing office or start a new one. 3) Hang out a shingle and start my own office or partner with someone else who has done this, learn from them, then buy them out. I have enough cash to weather a few years of low income, but I am not interested in an extended dry spell. Also, do I need a CPA degree or just an EA? What do you do in the summer months to stay busy? Thank you all for your time.
Career in Tax Preparation? I'm ready to jump from engineering (boring) into a full time career in tax preparation. I just love taxes to the core of my very being (don't bother telling me how weird I am, I know already). There are many options and I want to hear from career tax people which they feel is the best and why? I want pros and cons. I'm also interested in potential annual salaries. 1) Full time job with a large firm like H&R Block, but not as a manager or any other job where you don't do many actual returns. 2) Tax firm franchise owner...should I purchase an existing office or start a new one. 3) Hang out a shingle and start my own office or partner with someone else who has done this, learn from them, then buy them out. I have enough cash to weather a few years of low income, but I am not interested in an extended dry spell. Also, do I need a CPA degree or just an EA? What do you do in the summer months to stay busy? Thank you all for your time.
Can I cancel my tax preparation with accountant? Accountant at H&R did my taxes today but she doesn't seem knowledgeble and I just found a big error in my tax ppwk she did for me. She added 10k from house sale to my income resulting in $1300 owing to Fed. I paid her $500 for the work and now I don't even trust her tax preparation Can I cencel the whole thing after it's already finished? I am going to go to her tomorrow to fix the error I just found but I wish I could cancel the whole thing and money back. Possible?
Tax preparation services comparison? Hello. Where can I get an estimate (ballpark) of how much I might get charged for tax preparation at H&R Block and Jackson-Hewitt? I live in the Chicagoland area and own 2 properties (TX and IL). I have some donations and moving expenses from TX to IL. Married w/1 child under 18. During 2006, I had income in both TX and IL. Thanks!
Online tax preparation? When using an online tax preparation program, do you pay by credit card, or do they take it out of your refund?
Tax preparation and refund request? I got my taxes prepared at Liberty Tax. The lady who prepared my taxes said I will only get about $2000 back. For the past five years I had been getting more then that. When it came to letting her know how much I had invested into business, like child care expenses and laptop expenses, she informed to claim them next year. After a day they called to say that my file was rejected and that i will have to mail in my papers. I was so frustrated I asked for a refund of the $329 I paid to have the taxes done and I was informed by the manager that she can authorize the refund and that I will have to talk to the owner. When I asked to talk to the owner of the franchise and i was informed he comes and goes and that they can not give me any number to contact him. I contacted the head office of Liberty Tax and they never got back to me. I wanted a full refund so I can file my taxes at another branch closer to place where I had to be out of town. Any anyone have advise how to claim refund?
Tax preparation, summer internshp. Should I fill non-resident in both states? I'm a resident of the state of Illinois, and I had a summer internship (summer 2007) in California. How should I fill the state taxes? Does any of the following options sound reasonable? 1. Fill Illinois state tax as resident (IL-1040, or their free webfile), and fill California's 540-NR? The problem with this one is that Illinois wants to overcharge me and extra $300 for the days I've been in California. 2. Fill IL-1040 and IL-1040-CR and CA-540-NR to get a credit for the California tax in my Illinois forms/ 3. For both states, fill as non resident or partial resident. (IL-1040-NR, CA-540-NR). The only problem here is that is that in IL-1040-NR there is no way to mention an exit date AND and a re-entrance date. 4. There is a final option of letting a software such as H&R TaxCut take care of it, but of course I hate to part with $30, which it charges for state tax filing! I'll be ok with filling the required forms myself if I just knew which strategy to choose. Here is the answer from the Illinois Department of Revenue, which I put here for future reference: You are considered an IL. resident and report all income to this state. You file first with CA (non resident), then file the IL-1040 and Schedule CR. You will need to attach a copy of the CA return when submitting the IL-1040. If you need help filling out the CR, go to our web site (under Publications) and click on the PUB 111 (comparison formula for 2007 returns), find the CA return you filled out and then follow the instructions and you will then know what amounts to enter on Col. B and C.
Which free tax preparation software is best for US resident aliens? I am not a US citizen or permanent resident but have been in the country long enough that I am considered a resident for tax purposes. This means that I no longer have access to the free tax software that is provided by universities to their non-resident alien students. What tax software can you recommend that is free and would serve my needs best. I have the following tax forms to account for: W-2s (2 separate states), 1099-INT, 1098(c), 1042-S.
Income Tax Preparation? Hi all, quick question for ya :) If a person owe's money from last years tax filing but has a great tax refund coming this year, will the IRS automatically deduct the negative from the credit due???? Thanks to all for answering my question !
what online tax preparation services do you use? I have used Turbo Tax for the last 5 years. But I was very unsatisfied with their service this year. I want to find a different company to use for next year. Any suggestions? We make around 90K a year, so we wont qualify for free services. Thanks Turbo Tax experience this year was subpar. Their handling of the AMT changes was horrible, and caused serious delays with our returns this year. If they had explained upfront that choosing certain deductions would cause such delay I would not be so unhappy. This was the only time I have had to call their customer service and it was completely unhelpful. Not to mention this mess with the tax rebate check. I had already decided before the tax rebate mess to find another company.
Tax preparation question?????? I am a stay at home mom. Will we get more back for our tax refund because my husband now has 3 dependents with one income? Also, I am curious about the H & R Block instant loan. Do they do it if you have your W2 to go off of instead of a pay check stub?
Help I want my own tax preparation business...? What do i need to know and do you have any advice? I have been doing taxes for years since i was 15 it first started with my parents' taxes then family then friends then friends of friends im doing reserch on the software and i have my ptin # from irs and a small business loan i asked this question before i guess not the right way i dont want to be a tax consultant i just want to prepare taxes during tax season
Cost of Tax Preparation? What does it usually cost to have H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt prepare a tax return? We have no home business, and just the normal 1040 with schedule A deductions - married filing joint, if that helps. I'm considering having someone else do them because my husband is adamant - we've used turbo tax for the last several years with no issues, but I can't convince him that we're not "getting less than we should." That's the only reason I'm entertaining this option - if it were up to me, I'd do them myself.
How does getting a room mate affect financial aid and tax preparation? I am thinking of moving into a bigger apartment this summer and asking my friend to move in with me and be my roommate. However, my mom said that I would have to report my roommate's income as part of the household income. Since moving in will actually cost me more (because my mom won't be helping me pay for anything anymore), I still will be broke all the time. I'm afraid that they may end up giving me less financial aid or that I will loose the discount health expense benefits that I have now. Do I have to report my roommate's income for tax, financial aid, and federal aid purposes even though my roommate's money won't be supporting me? And if so, how will this affect me?
Has anyone used Turbo Tax with Santa Barbara Bank and Trust deducting tax preparation fees? I used Turbo Tax to prepare my taxes and chose to have Santa Barbara Bank and Trust deduct my preparation fees from my refund. This was not a RAL (Refund Anticipation Loan), yet on my bank statement, it is showing "TAX REFUND PER RAL DEPT." Has this happened to anyone else? According to the IRS, my refund was disbursed. Why is my bank statement showing that this was a RAL when it is not? Has this happened to you? I understand that SBBT took out an additional fee. If you chose not to read my question and just spout off an answer, I cannot help you there! I am just making sure that this was not accidentally processed as a loan.
Tax preparation-H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt?? This is the first year I have been responisible for filing my taxes. It has always been done by a family friend. Who is better H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt?? My taxes should be simple, I have only had one job all year. How much should I expect to pay??
Tax preparation question?please help!? I owned a small bussiness until august last year after that I sold it and started to work for a company.I have my W2 form now, and I want to file my taxes but myself, but now I find it hard, since I don't know what am I supposed to do with the rest of the months while I was self employed. Am I supposed to get any form or paper from my old bookkepper???.Thanks for the advices :)
1040 Tax Preparation Help? Where should I put Box5, Box6, AND Box 12b information into 1040? Am I supposed to include Medicare Wages and tips into income (line 7) in 1040? What I am supposed to do for Box 12b.(Code=G) Please somebody Help!!
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