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 Try Ready Return
Make sure to e-file
If you owe make sure you use web pay
If you can't pay-set up a payment plan
http://www.ftb.ca.gov
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Legal Tax Professionals
Attorneys
Certified Public Accountants (CPA)
CTEC Registered Tax Preparers (CRTP)
Enrolled Agents (EA)
How to Verify
Attorneys: State Bar of California
CPAs: California Board of Accountancy
CRTPs: California Tax Education Council
EAs: IRS Office of Professional Responsibility
California Tax Education Council
877-850-CTEC
http://www.ctec.org
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What to consider when choosing between using tax software or a tax pro:
How complicated are your finances?
Experienced life changes?
Know your comfort level
Legal Tax Professionals
Attorney
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
CTEC Registered Tax Preparer (CRTP)
Enrolled Agent (EA)
California Tax Education Council
877-850-CTEC
http://www.ctec.org |
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Review last year’s return
Do a quick review of last year’s return as a refresher and reference point.
Get records together
Many tax preparers will charge hefty fees to organize tax information you can actually organize yourself.
Make a list of expenses within the last year and summarize them by category.
Have all your W-2s and/or 1099s in order.
Have all social security numbers available (Includes your spouse, dependents—kids, parents)
If you have childcare, make sure you get the tax identification number or the babysitter’s social security number and address. The IRS requires this information if you want to get child care credit.
Organize receipts
If you go to a tax preparer, don’t bring your receipts in a shoebox! It sounds funny, but it could cost you in organization fees!
Tally your receipts and itemized deductions in a notebook or spreadsheet. Property taxes, DMV fees and medical expenses are deductible. Also don’t forget about any business-related expenses, work expenses you didn’t get reimbursed for, plus charity donations. Did you buy a candy bar for a little league or wrapping paper for a fundraiser? A percentage of those donations can be deducted!
If you own a business, make sure you have a mileage log.
Find a qualified tax preparer
California and Oregon are the only two states that regulate tax preparers. Thousands of illegal tax preparers are doing business statewide. Make sure your tax preparer is one of these four professionals: Attorney, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), CTEC Registered Tax Preparer (CRTP) or an Enrolled Agent (EA).
Don’t procrastinate
If you think you owe money, waiting to file your tax return will not help. This is a common, and often, costly misunderstanding. Many people think filing an extension will buy them time to pay their taxes—when in reality, you are still required to pay the amount due by April 15th. An extension only helps you avoid paying a late filing penalty.
Many tax preparers will stop accepting new clients due in March and April to heavy workloads |
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