Happy New Year. How to choose a tax preparer

I hope all of my readers had a very relaxing and joyous Christmas holiday and I hope you are looking forward to a New Year filled with hope and promise.  As you know it looks like we will have a “new” tax code for 2018, although it is not sure how much of the new legislation will go into effect this year.  After the bill is passed into law, the IRS will have to promulgate regulations to put the law into effect.  Therefore there are still many questions to be answered, one of which is: when will the 2017 tax filing season open?  No one knows as I write this article.  If you have made any resolutions, I hope two of them will be (1) to resolve any delinquent tax problems you may have and (2) to prepare a good Estate Plan for your family. Instead of worrying about tax problems or other legal problems, resolve to take action and find a solution.  This is a good time to remind you that, when looking for a tax preparer, you should (1) avoid one who claims he can get a larger refund than other preparers, (2) beware preparers who guarantee results or base fees on percentage of refund, (3) avoid firms where your work will be delegated to someone with very little experience, and (4) try to use a firm that is affiliated with a professional organization that requires continuing education and holds preparers to a code of ethics.