Contact your state CPA, Legal or Enrolled Agent Organizations. Many state organizations maintain computer databases of local accountants and tax preparers and provide free assistance in helping you select a tax professional in your area. Also, many of these organizations provide free assistance to low-income taxpayers who can t afford tax preparation help. Finally, there are a number of Internet sites that provide listings and directories of accountants organized by locality area. Know the Right Questions to Ask After you have identified several candidates, take the time to discuss these important questions with them.
Some tax professionals have specialties in areas such as real estate or small business.
If you have specific concerns, make sure your tax professional is qualified to provide the special assistance you require by asking for references. If you have financial interests in states other than where you live, make sure your tax professional is familiar with those state laws. For example, if you receive income from a partnership operating in another state or live in one state and work in another, selecting a tax professional with interstate knowledge is important. Before you ask your tax professional to do anything, get a good idea of how he bills and the level of detail provided. To avoid confusion, get the billing and payment terms in writing.