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Jackson Hewitt(R) Provides Pointers on What to Look for When Choosing a Tax Preparer

By: Jackson Hewitt Tax Service |  0 Shares     49 Reads

Five Tips for Selecting the Best Preparer for Every Situation

PARSIPPANY, N.J., March 5 // PRNewswire-FirstCall // -- With only six weeks left to file, many taxpayers have yet to determine how they will handle filing their annual income tax return. For those considering working with a tax preparer, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service(R) offers some suggestions on what to look for, and how to find the best tax preparer for their situation.

This Week's Tip: Working with a knowledgeable tax preparer can help taxpayers navigate late-breaking tax changes, uncover deductions they may have overlooked, and understand which life changes impact their tax situations.

Taxpayers today have little free time to spare. Given this, and the complexities of the tax code, working with a knowledgeable tax preparer is often a smart alternative to trying to tackle a return on your own. "It's important to do your homework and select someone who has experience, is trained in the latest changes to tax law and who understands your particular tax profile," explains Mark Steber, vice president of Tax Resources, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

Steber identifies some of the most critical qualities to look for in a tax preparer:

• Reputation: Choose a preparer who works with a reputable firm that has been in business for a number of years, to ensure that he or she has experience in handling many different types of returns and tax situations.
  
  
• Qualifications: It is advisable to look into the training that the preparer has received and to be sure this knowledge is current. Tax laws change each year, and preparers must have access to the latest updates, information, and technology. Jackson Hewitt offers its tax preparers comprehensive training throughout tax season based on updates from the IRS. Our training programs are prepared by seasoned tax professionals including CPAs, enrolled agents and tax attorneys.
  
  
• Accuracy: Taxpayers should verify that their preparer has tools in place to ensure that a return has been completed accurately and in accordance with all of the latest tax laws. In fact, one of the ways that preparers help customers ensure accuracy is by electronically filing ("e-filing") tax returns. Jackson Hewitt offers free e-filing as part of its service to all tax preparation customers.
  
  
• Guarantee: Choosing a tax preparer that stands behind his or her work can provide extra security when a return is filed, or in the event that the IRS has questions. Many preparers offer some level of assurance, but be sure to ask what is covered in advance. For example, all paid tax returns at Jackson Hewitt include a free Basic Guarantee, which entitles the customer to reimbursement of penalties and interest charged by a taxing authority if a Jackson Hewitt tax preparer makes an error preparing a return.
  
  
• Year-Round Access: Finally, be sure that the tax preparer is available year-round to answer questions and provide assistance, should additional questions or concerns arise.
  

"In addition to these five qualities, find a tax preparer that is convenient to your job or home, and be sure that he or she has experience in dealing with your kind of tax profile or situation," comments Steber.

For more information and tips, visit the Jackson Hewitt Web site at http://www.jacksonhewitt.com.

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX), with approximately 6,800 franchised and company-owned offices throughout the United States during the 2008 tax season, is an industry leader providing full service individual federal and state income tax return preparation. Most offices are independently owned and operated. The Company is based in Parsippany, New Jersey. More information may be obtained at http://www.jacksonhewitt.com. To locate the Jackson Hewitt Tax Service(R) office nearest to you, call 1-800-234-1040.

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