Tax Reducers - 10 Questions To Ask Preparers

Before You Choose a Tax Preparation Service

1. What kind of guarantee of accuracy do they offer?

No one likes to have the IRS show up at their doorstep. That's why Tax Reducers takes every precaution to insure that your return is completely and accurately prepared. We use professional computer software from the largest vendor. We have specially trained staff members to review every return after it is prepared. AND we have the person who prepared the return check it again before it is released to you.

Even so, if we should EVER make a mistake in the preparation of your return using the information you have provided us, we will pay any penalty charged by the IRS or state taxing authority AND we will refund the price we charged for preparation of the erroneous form.

2. How many tax returns have they done before?

Believe it or not, you could walk into some tax offices and be the unsuspecting first client of a preparer fresh out of training school. Of course, everyone has to begin somewhere; but we do things a little differently at Tax Reducers. All of our new preparers have been through multiple simulated interviews. Secondly, each new preparer is assigned to and supervised by one of our Senior Tax Preparers - a person with more than 20 years of experience. Finally, we let the client know that this is a junior person working under the supervision of a senior person. Then again, you are much more likely to be sitting down with one of those senior people, people with experience on thousands of returns.

3. Do they have a permanent office location?

It's no fun to try to contact the person who did your return and find a disconnected phone number or a boarded-up office. All of Tax Reducers offices are permanent locations, and our main office is open by appointment year-round. And by the way, since we have more than one person, you won't have to wait for someone to come back from vacation to get help with your questions. Of course, we are constantly available via our web site and electronic mail.

4. How long have they been in business?

For more than 35 years, Tax Reducers has been providing quality, professional tax preparation services. We have seen competitors come and go, while we still have clients from that very first year. We have managed to last because of a dedication to excellence and to the well-being of our clients. Since we are not a one-man operation, you don't have to worry about losing your tax preparer to retirement. We're in our second generation of family ownership and we are constantly training a new generation of professionals.

5. Are their preparers registered and bonded?

All of our preparers are either registered by the California Tax Education Council and carry bonding of $5000 as required by California law, or they are Enrolled Agents able to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Make sure your preparer has similar qualifications.

6. How much will it cost me?

Because tax laws are so complex, many firms are unwilling to quote a price over the phone or even in person. Others quote a LOW-BALL price which magically escalates when you walk through the door. At Tax Reducers, we have our Open Pricing Policy and a binding Price Quote system which allows you to know beforehand what your return will cost to prepare.

7. What if I am not happy with the results?

Tax Reducers guarantees that you will be happy with our work or you don't pay. That's right! No matter how much time we have put in, if you don't like our work, just give us back all copies of the un-filed return; and we will refund any money you paid us. It's part of our No Worries - No Hassles - Triple Guarantee.

8. What kind of software is used?

There are a variety of products in the tax preparation field. Tax Reducers chose professional software from the provider with the largest share of the market. The software allows us to process business and estate as well as individual returns and means we have software for every state with an income tax. Online updates are available through the internet, so we never have to wait for the mail to get the latest versions. For specialty forms, we have access to an electronic forms library with even the most obscure tax forms. The software is implemented on the latest Secured Client/Server LAN with automatic backups to ensure the safety of your valuable tax records.

9. Will they take the time to understand my personal tax situation?

Some of the big national firms like to move people in and out as quickly as possible. For them, getting to know you or your personal situation is not a priority. At Tax Reducers, we realize that we can't do a good job unless we are willing to spend time getting to know YOU! Since we expect a long term relationship (90% of our clients come back each year), we want to be able to advise you about future tax consequences as well as preparing the best possible current tax return. That's why our clients keep coming back year after year.

10. If I have a business, can they help me set up the bookkeeping process?

Our services in this area range from the simplest - setting up the initial bookkeeping process and training you in its use - to full service processes where we handle payroll, general ledger and financial reporting. From the smallest business to the largest, our goal is to make you successful.