Who’s Preparing Your Tax Return?

Tips for Choosing a Trusted, Local Tax Professional

January 6, 2025

Hiring a tax professional can make tax season smoother, but do you know who’s actually preparing your return?

Some tax firms now outsource tax return preparation overseas, a cost-saving practice that raises important questions about transparency, data security, and quality. Here’s what you should know when choosing a trusted tax preparer.

 

Outsourcing in the Tax Industry

Outsourcing tax preparation to overseas firms is becoming more common, allowing companies to reduce labor costs. However, this often means your personal financial data is handled by third parties abroad rather than a local CPA or tax advisor.

While firms must obtain your consent before sending your return overseas, many clients unknowingly agree to this in the fine print of engagement letters.

 

What to Consider When Choosing a Tax Preparer

• Transparency: Ask if your tax return will be prepared locally. A trustworthy tax professional will be upfront about their processes.
• Data Security: Your return contains sensitive information. Ensure your preparer uses strong safeguards and clearly explains how your data is protected.
• Quality of Service: Local tax professionals are typically well-versed in U.S. tax law and provide personalized service. Outsourced returns may risk errors or missed opportunities for deductions.

 

Questions to Ask Your Tax Preparer

• Will my tax return be prepared locally?

• How do you protect my personal information?

• Who can I contact with questions about my return?

 

Trusted, Local Tax Preparation

At Grants Pass Tax Service, we prepare each return ourselves, right here in Grants Pass, Oregon. Your tax return is handled with care and accuracy by a qualified local professional, giving you peace of mind during tax season.

Ready to get started? Contact us today!

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