The Bridge Networking Group, Inc.

How Well Do You Know Your Tax Preparer?

Choosing the Right Tax Preparer

by Laurie Brown

If you will be paying someone to do your tax return, choose a tax preparer wisely. You are legally responsible for what’s on your tax returns even if they are prepared by someone else. So, it’s important to find a qualified tax professional.

Reputable preparers will ask multiple questions to determine whether expenses, deductions and other items qualify and remind clients that they need to keep careful and complete records in order to substantiate information on their tax return. By doing so, they have your best interest in mind and are trying to help you avoid penalties, interest, or additional taxes that could result from later IRS contacts. 

Most tax return preparers are professional, honest and provide excellent service to their clients; you can use the following tips to choose a preparer who will offer the best service for their tax preparation needs.

·     Find out what the service fees are before the return is prepared. Avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the amount of your refund or who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers.

·     Only use a tax professional that signs your tax return and provides you with a copy for your records.

·     Avoid tax preparers that ask you to sign a blank tax form.

·     Choose a tax preparer that will be around to answer questions after the return has been filed.

·     Ask questions. Do you know anyone who has used the tax professional? Were they satisfied with the service they received?

·     Check to see if the preparer has any questionable history with the Better Business Bureau, the state’s board of accountancy for CPAs or the state’s bar association for attorneys. Find out if the preparer belongs to a professional organization that requires its members to pursue continuing education and also holds them accountable to a code of ethics.

·     Determine if the preparer’s credentials meet your needs.  Does your state have licensing or registration requirements for paid preparers?  Is he or she an Enrolled Agent, Certified Public Accountant, or Attorney?  If so, the preparer can represent taxpayers before the IRS on all matters – including audits, collections, and appeals.   Other return preparers can represent taxpayers only in audits regarding a return signed as a preparer.

·     Before you sign your tax return, review it and ask questions.

You can report suspected tax fraud and abusive tax preparers to the IRS on Form
3949-A, Information Referral or by sending a letter to Internal Revenue Service, Fresno, CA 93888.  Download Form 3949-A from IRS.gov or order by mail at 800-829-3676.       

By:  Laurie Brown  

Virtual Accounting & Business Services Inc.

(239)214-0609 or email her at laurie.brown.va@gmail.com

By John W. Ottervanger

Most of us have a 40+ hour work week in addition to our many other house hold and family responsibilities.  It’s no wonder we tend to take things like our pool pump and heater for granted until they stop working. When they do, we’re concerned about how to get them up and running fast. It's important to be proactive and get your pool and equipment serviced regularly. Effective maintenance of your chemicals and equipment will ensure you’re never left high and dry again.

Suntan lotion, hair products, fertilizers, cleaners, rainwater, body fluids and the decay of vegetation cause phosphates to build up over time. Phosphates are not only difficult to remove but they are the primary food source for algae. An alga is a plant that turns sunlight and carbon dioxide into food (there are over 21,000 species) and provides nutrients for bacteria which multiply rapidly and can cause illness. When algae are present in pool water, the chlorine tries to stop its growth and therefore depletes quickly. The depletion of chlorine tends to raise the pH, which then decreases the usefulness of the remaining free chlorine.

Proper swimming pool water pH ensures water clarity as well as physical comfort. Chlorine levels should be kept to the minimum required for complete disinfection. Too little chlorine results in bacterial growth, waterborne illnesses, cloudy water and insufficient sanitation of the water. Too much chlorine can result in eye, nose and skin irritations.

Don’t throw your away your hard-earned money on swimming pool chemicals that you cannot possibly make effective; let a licensed pool contractor handle that for you. A commercial and/or residential pool/spa contractor can:

·         Construct, repair and service a swimming pool, hot tub or spa-including the repair or replacement of existing equipment or the installation of new equipment as needed

·         Layout, excavate, operate construct pumps for dewatering purposes, steelwork, install light niches, construct floors, gunite, fiberglass, install tile and cope, install perimeter and filter piping, install filter equipment and chemical feeders of any type, plaster interiors, construct decks/equipment rooms or pool equipment rooms, install package pool heaters

The State of Florida does not license or regulate handyman. It is illegal for an unlicensed person

to perform contracting work on any project valued at $500 or more in labor and materials. Additionally, unlicensed contractors can lack accountability and are unfair competition for licensed contractors who operate with bonds, insurance and other responsible business practices.

Hire the company that will be able to take care of all of your pool service needs. When looking for a commercial and/or residential pool/spa contractor, keep in mind their license will begin with either a CP and/or an RP.

Regular maintenance is the key to proper treatment and hiring the company that will care for all of your pool needs is the key to the long healthy life of your pool.

John Ottervanger is a Licensed Certified Pool Contractor and Owner of Professional