Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on May 27, 2019 15:13:37 GMT -5
So - I'm feeling relatively insecure about what I got via turbo tax when I filed my 2017 and 2018 taxes this April. I'd like to take them to someone good for an audit to see if everything is accurate/got the best deductions, etc.
How should I find someone? Looking for an independent/small practice. I did use some one years ago, but did not feel that they were that good, and I went back to turbo tax.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on May 27, 2019 16:00:49 GMT -5
Probably more expensive, but you might consider a Tax Attorney vs a CPA.
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taz157
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Post by taz157 on May 27, 2019 16:19:42 GMT -5
Ask for recommendations from friends and coworkers. You could also ask the CPA firm that your company uses to see who they recommend (the CPA firm itself will probably be too expensive but they may know of another company that handles individuals).
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on May 27, 2019 17:14:49 GMT -5
I figure anyone really good is too busy with people able to pay them big bucks to worry about my nickel ninty-five. Just saying.
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countrygirl2
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Post by countrygirl2 on May 27, 2019 17:18:26 GMT -5
I found a good lady this year. Last year was supposed to be a more high powered firm, what a fiasco. I went to an older more established one that has CPA's this lady did mine is short order, she said she had no idea what they did that took them so long last year. I will gladly use her services again. Not cheap but I think well worth it to me.
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readergirl
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Post by readergirl on May 28, 2019 8:37:44 GMT -5
Good luck getting a good CPA who is going to want to check over your last 2 years returns done by TurboTax. How many times have I heard a prospective new client on the phone say - I did my taxes on Turbo Tax, I just want you to check them over. Good CPAs do not need that kind of new business-which it won't be. You won't want to be the time it would take to check it properly. And if he does say they were done properly, you won't have him prepare next year's returns. Bad waste of his time.
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on May 28, 2019 11:07:23 GMT -5
Good luck getting a good CPA who is going to want to check over your last 2 years returns done by TurboTax. How many times have I heard a prospective new client on the phone say - I did my taxes on Turbo Tax, I just want you to check them over. Good CPAs do not need that kind of new business-which it won't be. You won't want to be the time it would take to check it properly. And if he does say they were done properly, you won't have him prepare next year's returns. Bad waste of his time. Sheesh - that's a lot of assumptions! I doubt someone good at growing their business would be routinely making and acting on such.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2019 13:19:02 GMT -5
Doesn't TurboTax offer to have a CPA look over your return? It might not be too late for the 2018 one.
I checked, and the service is called TurboTax Live. I don't know how much it costs, but it is available until December 31, 2019.
It might be a place to start. Are the issues you are worried about the same for both years?
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on May 28, 2019 14:42:46 GMT -5
Don't laugh too hard, but H & R Block will look at prior year tax returns.
Most of the firms where I worked would not "look" at self prepared tax returns. It means inputting all of the data in to their tax software so they certainly will not do it for free. They also didn't want to waste their time if they told the person the returns had been done correctly and they would never come back. Hence, they usually charged a hefty fee for doing such as they might never see the potential client again.
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justme
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Post by justme on May 28, 2019 17:12:19 GMT -5
Kind of like those contractors that quote crazy high prices when they don't want to do the project.
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oped
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Post by oped on May 28, 2019 17:39:32 GMT -5
Or like accountants who charge a going rate.
I pay $700 to get our taxes done.
I agree, I don’t think my accountant would be likely to ‘double check this’ for a reduced fee?
If you want someone growing their business then is there a guarantee they are ‘good’?
I think if you want to have a good accountant do your taxes you have to pay one going rates to do your taxes.
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geenamercile
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Post by geenamercile on May 28, 2019 18:03:22 GMT -5
I don't think she was looking for a reduced fee. Best bet maybe just to take everythin in to one and have them do it as new. Or at least expect to pay the same fee as if they were doing them fesh. At the same time I wouldn't think someone would turn down a job either if she was willing to pay the fee needed to complete the work.
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oped
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Post by oped on May 28, 2019 18:06:46 GMT -5
Maybe I misunderstood...
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on May 29, 2019 11:39:00 GMT -5
Doesn't TurboTax offer to have a CPA look over your return? It might not be too late for the 2018 one. I checked, and the service is called TurboTax Live. I don't know how much it costs, but it is available until December 31, 2019. It might be a place to start. Are the issues you are worried about the same for both years? I really want some one else, local who I can go to office and discuss a few things with.
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oped
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Post by oped on May 29, 2019 12:14:22 GMT -5
What exactly are your expectations?
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on May 29, 2019 12:26:57 GMT -5
Don't laugh too hard, but H & R Block will look at prior year tax returns. Most of the firms where I worked would not "look" at self prepared tax returns. It means inputting all of the data in to their tax software so they certainly will not do it for free. They also didn't want to waste their time if they told the person the returns had been done correctly and they would never come back. Hence, they usually charged a hefty fee for doing such as they might never see the potential client again. I'm looking to engage a professional and pay for services. I really don't know how this is confusing.
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on May 29, 2019 12:31:20 GMT -5
So - I'm feeling relatively insecure about what I got via turbo tax when I filed my 2017 and 2018 taxes this April. I'd like to take them to someone good for an audit to see if everything is accurate/got the best deductions, etc. How should I find someone? Looking for an independent/small practice. I did use some one years ago, but did not feel that they were that good, and I went back to turbo tax. I'm quoting myself here...where on earth did anyone get the idea I was looking for something cheap or free?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2019 12:35:34 GMT -5
I think people are saying you should expect to pay a CPA what you would have to actually have them done your taxes in the first place, in which case, using Turbo Tax was kind of a waste of your time/money.
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oped
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Post by oped on May 29, 2019 12:36:38 GMT -5
You are looking for a new accountant then, someone who will redo 2 years of taxes. With any professional im looking for I ask friends and colleagues for referrals and possibly go to a professional organization if necessary.
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on May 29, 2019 12:49:20 GMT -5
I think people are saying you should expect to pay a CPA what you would have to actually have them done your taxes in the first place, in which case, using Turbo Tax was kind of a waste of your time/money. Yes, but why? I never mentioned anything about what I expected or wanted to pay. I outlined what I was looking for and asked how to find some one.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2019 12:53:39 GMT -5
I think people are saying you should expect to pay a CPA what you would have to actually have them done your taxes in the first place, in which case, using Turbo Tax was kind of a waste of your time/money. Yes, but why? I never mentioned anything about what I expected or wanted to pay. I outlined what I was looking for and asked how to find some one. I guess the assumption is you wouldn't want to pay CPA rates to do your taxes or you would have done that in the first place?
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oped
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Post by oped on May 29, 2019 12:55:23 GMT -5
You said basically you wanted to have someone ‘check’ your taxes.
This sounds like wanting something less than normal service.
When one person suggested you wouldn’t be likely to find a good cpa willing to do that, you shot it down, quite aggressively, suggesting you were sure this was wrong and someone would want to to do it to grow their business.
Again reinforcing that what you were looking for was less than normal service, but that, regardless of others experiences you were sure some good Cpa would jump at the chance.
Thats how it read anyway.
You didn't say, oh no, I’m looking for a new accountant, someone to basically redo my last two years taxes and build an ongoing relationship with...
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on May 29, 2019 13:02:42 GMT -5
Assumptions based on nothing I asked about.
How's this:
Im not sure my doctor gave me the best care. I want to bring my test results to someone else and get a second opinion on the diagnosis and treatment plan. How can I find a good doctor?
Why would any doctor waste their time seeing you?
No one will check your test result for free, it takes time.
If you didn't see a good doctor before, why would you want one now?
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on May 29, 2019 13:04:37 GMT -5
You said basically you wanted to have someone ‘check’ your taxes. This sounds like wanting something less than normal service. When one person suggested you wouldn’t be likely to find a good cpa willing to do that, you shot it down, quite aggressively, suggesting you were sure this was wrong and someone would want to to do it to grow their business. Again reinforcing that what you were looking for was less than normal service, but that, regardless of others experiences you were sure some good Cpa would jump at the chance. Thats how it read anyway. You didn't say, oh no, I’m looking for a new accountant, someone to basically redo my last two years taxes and build an ongoing relationship with... I said audit, which seemed like the appropriate term to me.
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on May 29, 2019 13:07:44 GMT -5
Probably more expensive, but you might consider a Tax Attorney vs a CPA. I don't think it is that big an issue, I just have zero confidence in turbo tax and want to make sure there isn't anything wrong.
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oped
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Post by oped on May 29, 2019 13:11:44 GMT -5
You said basically you wanted to have someone ‘check’ your taxes. This sounds like wanting something less than normal service. When one person suggested you wouldn’t be likely to find a good cpa willing to do that, you shot it down, quite aggressively, suggesting you were sure this was wrong and someone would want to to do it to grow their business. Again reinforcing that what you were looking for was less than normal service, but that, regardless of others experiences you were sure some good Cpa would jump at the chance. Thats how it read anyway. You didn't say, oh no, I’m looking for a new accountant, someone to basically redo my last two years taxes and build an ongoing relationship with... I said audit, which seemed like the appropriate term to me. Is your expectation auditing is a lesser service than preparing taxes and would cost less? What do do you think auditing entails?
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on May 29, 2019 13:44:46 GMT -5
So, going off of yelp reviews in downtown are codes.
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oped
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Post by oped on May 29, 2019 13:46:22 GMT -5
Start calling!
Id be interested in the responses you get and what they consider auditing.
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Rukh O'Rorke
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Post by Rukh O'Rorke on May 29, 2019 13:49:49 GMT -5
Area codes....
I favor loop or magnificent mile practitioners.
Usually at least a minor increase fee wise but it takes a bit more wherewithal to operate and gives me a bit more confidence.
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msventoux
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Post by msventoux on May 29, 2019 13:52:34 GMT -5
To answer your question, ask around. Ask friends or colleagues who they use. If you know any small business owners, ask them. In my area there are some “Who to Use” or “Who NOT to Use” Facebook groups. I cringe a bit about those groups though as I’ve seen some of the work product put out by some of the popular preparers and it is substandard...and now a few years after they started their business it is starting to come out how bad they are and they are getting fewer glowing reviews.
Honestly, this type of engagement is rarely something my firm is interested in. If you’re having us prepare your current year return we will also look over the prior year returns to see if something jumps out. But people walking in off the street for this type of situation rarely want to pay our fees or they would have sought out a qualified preparer to start with. If your return is fine then you’ll probably keep doing the return on your own, which means no ongoing business for us. And if your return is a mess, depending on how you present yourself and if we think there’s hope of getting you on the right track, we may not be interested in taking the mess on.
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