Who Is Helping You File Your Tax Return?

There’s a little more than a month left for you to file your tax return, and some people need help getting their papers in order. So they turn to another individual or agency to help them file their return.

However, how can you make sure your helper is qualified?

"Check with the preparer to see that they have gone through some training. Other than that, (check) by word of mouth, " says AARP local tax coordinator, Jeanette Taylor.

Taylor says most preparers go through similar procedures when they bring in clients. They will conduct an interview where they ask for information about your income and deductions.

"Most tax preparers use a computerized program, and it fills out everything correctly for you so that you don’t have math errors. Electronic filing, having your return filed electronically gets it automatically when you file it with the IRS. You find out if there were any math errors right then and there, " says Taylor.

Taylor says preparers should also make a copy of the return for you to check over and to make sure all the information is correct. She says it’s important that you understand everything that’s on that paper too before you file.