Tips for Choosing a Tax Preparer in 2026

Most tax return preparers in the United States provide professional, high-quality services. But some may cause harm through incompetence, fraud, identity theft or other scams.

It is important to understand the credentials of whoever you choose to prepare your personal and/or business tax return, and to think through several questions to ask when hiring an individual or firm.

Everyone at Rebel Bookkeeping, LLLC. has been qualified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to prepare, transmit, and process electronically filed tax returns through TaxAct.

Still, here are a few tips from the IRS for choosing a tax preparer in 2026:

• Understand a preparer’s credentials and qualifications.
• Be sure to ask questions if something is not clear or appears inaccurate.
• Find an authorized IRS e-file provider like Rebel Bookkeeping. Our firms have been qualified by the IRS to prepare, transmit, and process e-filed returns.
• Avoid tax return preparers who base their fees on a percentage of the refund or who offer to deposit all or part of the refund into their own financial accounts.
• Look for a preparer who’s available year-round. If questions come up about a tax return, taxpayers may need to contact the preparer after the filing season is over.
• Provide records and receipts. Good preparers ask to see these documents. They’ll also ask questions to determine the client’s total income, deductions, tax credits and other items.
• Never sign a blank or incomplete return.
• Review the tax return before signing it.
• Review the routing and bank account number on the completed return to make sure it’s accurate.

The IRS has put together a Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications to help individuals find a tax preparer who meets the highest professional standards. There is also a special page on IRS.gov for Choosing a Tax Professional that can help guide taxpayers in making a good choice, including selecting someone affiliated with a recognized national tax association.

There are different kinds of tax preparers, and a taxpayer’s needs will help determine which kind of preparer is best for them.

Taxpayers can report preparer misconduct to the IRS using Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer PDF.

If a taxpayer suspects a tax return preparer filed or changed their tax return without their consent, they should file Form 14157-A, Tax Return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit PDF.

Good luck this tax season!