When you sign your 1040 form, you agree to abide by the tax law making you responsible for paying your taxes, regardless of who prepares your return.  If there are errors, innocent or otherwise, the Internal Revenue Service looks for the taxpayer, not the person who filled out the forms.

Before you give your sensitive financial documents to someone , ensure that the preparer is right for you and will do the right thing when it comes to filing your taxes.

Check Credentials
The easiest way to ensure you have a reputable preparer is to get one who is accredited with the National Association of Tax Professionals or another national certifier.

Look for a certified public accountant, an Enrolled Agent or a tax attorney.

Preparers are required to maintain continuing education credits to maintain their designation which helps taxpayers trust that the preparer is up to date on the latest tax law changes.

Scratch the Surface
Once you locate a preparer with good credentials, investigate by scratching the surface of his or her background. Find out how long he or she has been in the tax preparation business and what services are provided.

Does the preparer belong to any professional organizations?  Are they current members?

Three Rules:  References, References and References
References are easy to check when you use a preparer recommended by family and friends. If you select someone totally new to you, don’t be afraid to ask for references and follow up with them to see if they are satisfied with the service.

Comparison shop
Check the preparer’s fee before any work is done to eliminate surprises.  This will also help you determine if the preparer overcharges in comparison to other preparers in your area.

Availability
And since tax issues can pop up anytime, find a preparer who will be around, with regular office hours, after the April filing deadline. If you can’t reach your preparer from April 15 until Labor Day, you’re going to be frustrated.

If you decide to use an independent preparer, you can search Accountant.org by area code to find a preparer near you, who will be familiar with local issues to maximize your legal return.