Track down the best tax preparer

On the fun scale, tax preparation ranks down there with wart removal. And like warts, tax returns can come back to haunt you. The best way to prevent problems from cropping up later is to pick the right tax pro—or get the right tools if you decide to do it yourself. If you have few itemized deductions, don't work for yourself, and don't have other complicated money issues, do-it-yourself tax prep is relatively easy. But if you're like the 60 percent of Americans who have their returns done for them, here's what you need to know to get the most value for your tax-prep dollar.

Tax preparers have varying levels of expertise and charge accordingly. What you'll pay might also depend by the size of the firm. For example, according to a recent survey by the National Society of Accountants, solo tax preparers charged an average of $246 for the usual itemized federal form 1040 and state income-tax form last tax season. These are your basic tax-prep choices:

• Certified public accountants. Not all CPAs specialize in doing individual income-tax returns, so ask up front. To find a CPA, check with friends and neighbors or go to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants website. Under "For the Public," click on "Find a CPA."
• Enrolled agents. Unlike CPAs, who can handle a variety of financial activities, EAs focus solely on taxes. They must have worked for the IRS for at least five years or passed exams on tax codes and calculations. Enrolled agents might work for themselves or in a CPA firm or storefront office. To locate one, go to the website of the National Association of Enrolled Agents.
• National tax-prep chains. Storefront operations like H&R Block, Jackson-Hewitt, and Liberty Tax Service can be adequate for simple, straightforward returns, and they're relatively inexpensive. In 2012, for instance, the average fee at an H&R Block storefront for a married couple jointly filing a Form 1040 and itemizing mortgage interest and property tax on a Schedule A, was $160 for the federal form and $44.95 for a state form. The not-for-profit National Consumer Law Center says national chains are less likely than independent storefront tax preparers to hit you with "junk" fees, such as application and document-prep charges. Preparers in franchise offices of the national chains have usually passed at least a several-week course, and newcomers' work is reviewed by experienced supervisors, according to the companies.
• Free tax prep. If your household income was low to moderate for your community or you're 60 or older, you might not have to pay anything for tax help. The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide service will pair you with trained volunteers who can handle Form 1040 and schedules A and B.

Before you sign up with any preparer, ask some basic questions about his or her background.

• Do you have a preparer tax-identification number? All paid tax preparers, whether they’re enrolled agents, CPAs, or tax attorneys, must have such a number, called a PTIN.
• What are your credentials? Make sure that your prospective preparer has passed recent state or federal tests. (California, Maryland, and Oregon require licenses.) Look for seven to 10 years of experience to ensure that your preparer has dealt with a variety of tax and economic situations. Ask, too, if the preparer is a member of a professional organization related to tax preparation and attends continuing education classes.
• What kinds of clients do you usually work with? Look for a preparer with clients similar to you.
• Will you file my returns electronically? Filing electronically ensures fewer mistakes and helps speed your refund. Your tax preparer should be able to handle it for you. (Tax preparers who handle 10 or more returns are required by the IRS to file electronically unless the client opts to file a paper return.)
• Can you give me a price quote? Tax preparers often say that they can't tell you what they'll charge until they determine which forms you'll need. But you can try to pin down the preparer by presenting last year's forms or by asking for a list of all fees. Avoid preparers who base their fees on a percentage of your refund.
• Do you provide audit help? CPAs and enrolled agents can usually represent you before the IRS. The national chains provide free advice to clients, but you might have to pay extra to have someone accompany you to an audit or talk to the IRS on your behalf.
  

The earlier you get your tax act together, the better the result is likely to be. So try to see the preparer in February or early March. You'll also save time and money if you:

• Know your numbers. Collect all of your family's Social Security numbers and those for child-care providers. The fewer blanks you have to fill in later, the faster you can file and get your refund.
• Lose the shoe box. Don't show up with a shoe box of random financial statements. Buy an accordion folder and use each section for different categories: one for Form W-2s from jobs, another for Form 1099s showing interest and dividends, and so on. Bring your folder and official forms to your preparer; tally charity receipts and the like beforehand. Also make sure you have copies of your prior-year federal and state tax forms.