Tax Accountant FAQ

Ask for their PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number), which the IRS issues to paid preparers each year, and confirm it is current. Recognized credentials such as CPA, enrolled agent, or attorney indicate additional licensing and oversight. On Rate My Tax Accountant, each profile shows a professional's credentials, services, and client reviews, so you can evaluate them in one place.

Yes. Every professional in the directory holds an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), which the IRS issues to paid preparers of U.S. federal tax returns. This includes preparers located outside the United States: the international professionals you can find here are registered with the U.S. IRS to prepare U.S. federal taxes (for example, for American citizens and expatriates living abroad), not with a foreign tax authority. So whether your preparer is in Chicago or London, the listing reflects their U.S. IRS registration.

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is licensed by a state board of accountancy and can handle accounting, auditing, and tax work. An enrolled agent (EA) is licensed directly by the IRS and specializes in taxation. A preparer without one of these credentials can still prepare returns if they hold a valid PTIN. CPAs, enrolled agents, and attorneys have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS; other preparers have, at most, limited representation rights and only for returns they personally prepared and signed.

An enrolled agent is a federally licensed tax practitioner authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before the IRS. EAs earn the credential by passing a three-part IRS exam or through qualifying IRS experience, and they must complete continuing education to keep it.

CPAs, enrolled agents, and attorneys have unlimited rights to represent any taxpayer before the IRS, including in audits, collections, and appeals, whether or not they prepared the return. Preparers without those credentials have, at most, limited representation rights and only for returns they personally prepared and signed (Annual Filing Season Program participants); preparers with only a PTIN have no representation rights for returns filed after 2015.

Fees depend on the complexity of your return, the preparer's experience, and your location. A simple individual return costs less than one involving a business, rental property, or multiple states. Many preparers provide a quote or a free initial consultation, so ask about pricing up front.

For most individuals, federal income tax returns are due on April 15, or the next business day if the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday. Filing an extension moves the filing deadline (not the payment deadline) to October 15. Businesses and other entities have different deadlines, so confirm the current year's dates with the IRS.

If your taxes are simple, you may be comfortable filing on your own with tax software. A tax accountant is most valuable when your situation is more complex, for example if you own a business, are self-employed, have rental or investment income, went through a major life change, or want tax planning to reduce what you owe.

Bring a government-issued ID, Social Security numbers for yourself and any dependents, income documents (such as W-2s and 1099s), records of deductions and credits (such as mortgage interest, charitable donations, education, and childcare), and a copy of last year's return. Your accountant may request more depending on your situation.

Tax preparation is completing and filing your return for a tax year that has already ended. Tax planning is forward-looking: structuring your income, deductions, and decisions during the year to legally reduce your future tax bill. Many accountants offer both.

Yes. Many tax accountants offer audit support or representation, helping you respond to IRS notices and communicate with the IRS. Keep in mind that only CPAs, enrolled agents, and attorneys can fully represent you before the IRS.

Yes. Although tax season is the busiest period, many tax professionals work year-round on tax planning, estimated taxes, bookkeeping, and business consulting.

Paid preparers are bound by law to protect client tax information. Internal Revenue Code section 7216 makes it a crime for a preparer to knowingly or recklessly disclose or use your tax return information without your consent.

Common services include tax preparation, tax planning, IRS representation, bookkeeping, payroll, and financial or business consulting. Offerings vary by professional, so check each accountant's profile for specifics.

Look for relevant credentials, experience with situations like yours, clear communication, and strong client reviews. Confirm they hold a current PTIN, ask how they charge, and consider an initial consultation to make sure you are a good fit.

Not necessarily. CPAs, enrolled agents, attorneys, and other preparers serve different needs. The right choice depends on the complexity of your taxes and the services you need, not on the credential alone.

Reviews are written by users and go through moderation before they are published, where we screen for spam, abusive or off-topic content, and obvious conflicts of interest. Tax professionals can claim their profile to respond to reviews.

Yes. Searching for tax accountants, reading and leaving reviews, browsing articles and discussions, and contacting professionals are all free.

If you are a U.S. tax professional, find your profile and use the option to claim it. Once verified, you can complete your profile, respond to reviews, publish articles, add photos, and receive direct messages.

Not at this time. International preparers listed here are registered with the U.S. IRS (PTIN) to prepare U.S. federal tax returns for clients abroad, and you can search for and view their profiles. Reviewing and claiming a profile are currently available only for preparers based in the United States; we may extend this to other locations as we confirm the rules that apply there.

Not necessarily. In between updates, listings may be incomplete or out of date, and a preparer's details can change after they are published. A preparer may stop practicing, retire, move, change firms, or gain or lose a credential, and that may not appear here right away. We don't control those changes. Always confirm a preparer's current PTIN, credentials, and status directly with them (and, for credentials, with the issuing body) before you engage them.