How to Find an Affordable Accountant in Phoenix AZ for Tax Preparation

It’s that time of year again: tax time!

Dreaded or not, the IRS processes millions of tax returns each year with 261 million returns processed in 2021 alone.

If you’re someone who counts yourself among those who dread tax preparation time, worry no more.

We’ve gathered a few need-to-know items that will help you with finding the right accountant to file your taxes this year.

Read along with our quick overview on how to find an affordable accountant to help you file your taxes this year!

Types of Tax Preparation and Accounting Services

Before we dive in on how to find an affordable accountant, let’s explore a quick overview of the various types of qualified tax preparers.

Preparers will fall into one of five categories:

  • Attorneys
  • Enrolled agents
  • Accountants
  • PTIN holders
  • Annual filing season program participants

Each preparer varies in education requirements and certifications, and must be registered with the Internal Revenue Service.

The more certifications or credentials a preparer holds, the more you can typically expect to pay.

However, each type is certified and knowledgeable in all the necessary financial aspects to complete legal tax prep and filing.

Choosing an Accountant

But what if you’re not looking to spend an arm and a leg simply filing the tax documents you send in year after year?

Whether you’re a business owner or you’re filing personal taxes, there are a few things to look for when searching for an affordable accountant.

The first of which is to confirm your preparer has a preparer tax identification number (PTIN).

This is a number that gets issued by the IRS to any professional tax preparer that accepts payment for the preparation and filing of tax returns.

It will ensure your documents get filed correctly, avoiding potential filing penalties and missed deductions.

From there, you can compare various accountants and their fees.

The overall amount you pay will fluctuate depending on certain variables such as:

  • Type of return
  • Location of filing
  • Preparer fees
  • Complexity of your return
  • Volume of work required to complete the return

How to Find Accounting Help

You want to find someone who can help you avoid penalties from improperly filled-out returns while also saving a little money in the long run.

How might you go about starting your search?

There are a few options available to you when searching for credible accounting help:

  • Ask for referrals from family or trusted business owners
  • Ask questions of potential candidates
  • Look up their credentials online
  • Ask about any specializations
  • Confirm if they file electronically
  • Ask what their availability looks like

You can plug in a quick online search such as “affordable accountant in Phoenix” or “affordable accountant near me,” as a good starting point.

From there, simply implement any of the tax tips and tricks above to narrow down who best fits your financial situation.

Time is Money

It’s important to find a credible accountant for filing your taxes.

Experienced accountants can help you avoid penalties that result from improperly filed tax returns.

In general, a good accountant is more likely to save you money in the long run.

Accountants are able to maximize your deductions all while minimizing your taxable income.

Not to mention, the time they save you is invaluable when it comes to tax prep.

Tax laws change frequently.

Accountants keep up to date with all the changing rules and regulations as laid out by our government, saving you time so you might not have to pore over the latest deductions, exemptions, or credits.

Proper Preparation

Finding an affordable accountant to file your taxes shouldn’t be as complicated as you might think.

Follow any of the tips above during your search, and you’ll be able to find the right fit in no time.

While searching for an accountant, you might come across some red flags during your search such as preparers who:

  • Offer to handle your refund check
  • Sign off on your returns without requesting documentation
  • Guarantee a refund without looking over your situation
  • Charge you a fee based on the tax refund size

Keep an eye out for any of these red flags during your search.

In addition, remember that your accountant is required to sign and provide a PTIN upon filing.

This ensures your information gets properly filed with the IRS.

Tax Season and Beyond

One final item to remember when it comes to finding the right accountant for you and your financial situation is to ensure they have your back.

In case of an audit, you want to ensure your tax professional is there to represent you and be fully in your corner should there be an appeal or a collection issue.

Furthermore, the right accountant will help you with your current year returns as well as help maximize your savings for the following year.

Your accountant should also be available for questions that arise after tax season.

A good accountant should not only properly file your taxes, but they should be available for year-round financial or tax planning advice.

Ready to Hire an Affordable Accountant?

Look no further!

At Master Accounting and Tax Service, we bring a rare level of tax expertise to all of our clients in the Phoenix area.

We help our clients take advantage of all available tax-saving opportunities by preparing accurate and honest tax returns.

Your search for an affordable accountant is over.

Simply call our team or send us a message here and we’ll get the ball rolling for you.

We look forward to hearing from you and getting your taxes prepped and filed without any added stress, all at an affordable cost.

 


If you’re looking for top accounting services in Tempe, AZ, contact the experts at Master Accounting for a free initial consultation! Call (480)456-4999 or submit your request online here.