FINDING A TRUSTWORTHY TAX PREPARER

Its not easy to find a good tax preparer. Believe me I know. In my 8 years of experience preparing taxes I have meet hundreds of people who have been taken advantage of, mislead and confused by shady tax preparers. I know more then I'd like to about the nefarious world of fraudulent tax preparation. This knowledge was a catalyst for starting a Low Income Tax Payer Clinic in Jackson Wyoming and now for starting this business: COMMON SENSE TAX PREPARATION.

In most states there is no regulation on who can prepare tax returns and fraud is rampant. You may notice lots of banner type signs popping up in formerly vacant strip malls. Or you may even see a new Big Box Store type preparer in a cubicle at your local department store.

Some of these preparers are qualified, but a lot of them aren't. These guys frequently disappear right after tax day, never to be seen again, and guess what? They have your most personal information in their possession! Its scary.

The big guys have more security, but they also often have quickly trained employees, unfamiliar with the intricacies of tax preparation and mostly interested in getting you in and out quickly. These preparers probably have little interest in whether or not you are getting as many deductions and credits as you qualify for.

And then there is the "INSTANT REFUND" these preparers take advantage of people who want their money NOW! (and who doesn't want that?) by charging insanely large fees so that you can have your refund instantly. DON'T BE FOOLED!!! This is what is called a "Refund Anticipation Loan." Its not a refund, its a loan on your expected refund and you pay dearly for it.

COMMON SENSE TAX PREPARATION is an alternative. I believe in honest, professional tax preparation at very reasonable prices. I charge a fair price and I offer excellent service. I have years of experience preparing taxes and I am licensed by the State of California and insured.

And while I don't do "Refund Anticipation Loans", because I think they are abhorrently wrong, I do offer IRS authorized E-Filing services. This means you will get your refund... YOUR ENTIRE REFUND, as quickly as the IRS can process it. No gimmicks, no tricks, just COMMON SENSE!