C-Citizens and Communities, C-Debt and Fiscal Responsibility, C-Sensible Ideas and Advice, Civic Responsibility, Taxes

It’s That Season Again

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It’s income tax return time again.

The Better Business Bureau in Washington estimates 5 out of 10 taxpayers will have someone else prepare their returns.

For those here in Central Utah who prepare their own, the Internal Revenue Service can provide guidance, if needed. This can be obtained in two ways:

– By dialing a toll-free telephone number which puts the taxpayer on contact with an IRS expert in Salt Lake City. The number is 1-800-602-5370.

– Or by contacting the IRS office at 88 W. 100 No. in Provo where assistance is available.

The free IRS service might range from answering specific questions to helping you with your return or even checking, upon request, a return that you or a preparer has filled out.

The Better Business Bureau notes that several types of tax assistance are available on a fee basis, and explains the difference between “preparers” and “practitioners.”

A tax preparer performs a reasonable service for a relatively small fee. He may not represent you before the IRS in case you are called up. However, he may accompany you and assist you in answering questions.

Tax practitioners are attorneys, certified public accountants, independent practicing accountants and enrolled agents. These individuals are professionals who are permitted to practice before the IRS as representatives of clients on tax matters in the event a return is audited.

Regardless of whom you decide to have prepare your return, these precautions suggested by the BBB may be appropriate:

Be suspicious of anyone who guarantees a refund or wants to enter fictitious information; don’t sign a blank return; don’t sign or write anything in pencil on your return; don’t do business with someone who offers inducements to have your check mailed to him or her; be cautious about anyone who claims a special relationship with the IRS; choose a firm that you can reach year-around — if a company closes shop April 15 you may not be able to contact it if the IRS later determines an error has been made.

Remember, finally, that regardless of who does your income tax return, only you yourself are responsible for it. Taxpayers who begin early to prepare a return (whether by themselves or with the help of someone else) are less apt to error or run into trouble as a result of hurried last-minute effort.