Nobody but accountants love tax season. Maybe it's due to how complicated filing for taxes can be or how long the process takes. According to the Internal Revenue Service, the typical American filing a Form 1040 or 1040-SR takes around 15 hours to prepare their return. Instead of handling your taxes all on your own, you can find professionals to help prep taxes for you. It's important to remember that if you don't file your taxes properly, you'll pay for it in the long run if you get audited. Here are three key ways to find the right local tax person for you.

Check Their Experience

While your "friend of a friend" who does your taxes might have some skills, they've got nothing on a qualified tax prep professional. These experts not only have specialized higher education but they also have experience in their field. As a result, they can prepare your taxes effectively and ensure they reflect accurate reporting. However, the amount of experience they have is also important. Confirm how long they've been in the industry. Surely, you'd prefer a tax preparation service with more than 30 years of experience than one with far less.

Compare Fees

When you're looking for services from a professional in any field, it's crucial that you compare fees from multiple companies. Make sure to get quotes from several tax services. Some companies may trick you with hidden fees, so you'll want to find one that doesn't. Requesting accurate, detailed estimates is a surefire way to guarantee there won't be any surprises when it comes time to pay for your service.

Search Reviews and Complaints

While lengthy experience and fair fees are good indicators of a reliable tax service firm, they aren't the only important factors. Reviews from past clients can offer insightful, authentic information you wouldn't be able to find elsewhere. Check the firm's website or Google profile for reviews. Better yet, you can also check for ratings and reviews through the Better Business Bureau.

No matter your tax situation, your local tax person should be a qualified, dependable professional. Working with anyone else puts your finances at risk and creates more problems than it's worth. Contact Top Tax Pros today to learn more about how we can help you. Our team of experts will sit down with you and provide the long-term support you need to have a stress-free tax season.