What are the marks of a good tax preparer?
Anyone can technically prepare a tax return for pay with a PTIN — the bar to enter the industry is low, which makes it hard to tell a good preparer from a risky one. A few things reliably separate the two.
Credentials that mean something
Look for a CPA, Enrolled Agent (EA), or tax attorney. Each of these credentials requires real testing, ongoing education, and carries the authority to represent you before the IRS if a return is ever questioned. A PTIN alone doesn't guarantee any of that.
They sign the return
Paid preparers are required to sign returns they prepare and include their PTIN. A preparer who won't put their name on your return — or who has you e-file it as "self-prepared" — is a serious red flag.
They're available after April
Taxes don't end in April — audits, notices, and amended returns happen year-round. A preparer who disappears after tax season isn't going to be there if the IRS sends you a letter in August.
Fees tied to the work, not the refund
Legitimate preparers charge based on the complexity of your return, not as a percentage of your refund. Anyone promising an unusually large refund before even looking at your documents is optimizing for your next visit, not your accuracy.
They ask questions
A good preparer asks about your situation — income sources, life changes, records for deductions you're claiming — instead of just plugging numbers into software. If nobody asks you anything, nobody's actually reviewing your situation.
The bottom line
Credentials, a signature on the return, year-round availability, transparent fees, and real questions about your situation. If a preparer is missing more than one of these, it's worth looking elsewhere.