What To Do When You Disagree with Your Tax Preparer

When a family child care provider hires a tax professional to do her taxes, she wants her taxes to be done correctly. She expects that her tax preparer understands the many unique rules affecting her business. 

Sometimes, however, you may question how your tax preparer has filled out your tax forms. 

What should you do if you disagree with what your tax preparer tells you?

First, say to your tax preparer, "Show me something in writing from the IRS that supports your position."

If the tax preparer can show you that you are wrong, then accept it. But, if he or she can't back up their position with a written authority, you should not let it go. 

Ask the tax preparer to contact the IRS directly to seek a written authority. You could also contact the IRS yourself: 1-800-829-4933.

You can also contact me for help. Or you can ask your tax preparer to contact me (tomcopeland@live.com). I'm happy to point out what the IRS may have said about your question. I've posted everything the IRS has written about family child care in the "IRS Audits/Documents" section shown at the top of my blog. 

Here's an example: Let's say you want to deduct the business portion of car loan interest when you are using the standard mileage rate. Your tax preparer says you can't deduct car loan interest unless you use the actual expenses method of claiming car expenses.

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Comments

[Kathryn L. Hassinger]

What is the estimated food expense per serving for 2011. Thank you

[Tom Copeland]

The 2011 standard meal allowance rate is $1.19 breakfast, $2.22 lunch/supper and $.66 snack. The rate for 2012 is $1.24 breakfast, $2.32 lunch/supper and $.69 snack.