Hiring a Tax Expert during Divorce

FINDING A TAX PREPARATION SPECIALIST              

Finding and hiring a tax preparation specialist is as easy as walking into any H&R Block, Liberty Tax or Jackson Hewitt Tax Service retail location. There are thousands of offices for these three companies located across the country, and most are staffed by people with at least 300 hours of training, plus several years worth of experience. As of late-2007, H&R Block had more than 12,500 offices, including within many Sears locations, while Jackson Hewitt had 6,500 offices, and Liberty Tax had 2,400 offices nationwide.

The cost of working with a tax preparation specialist, from H&R Block, for example, will range between $150 and $450, depending on a variety of criteria, which the tax preparation specialist will review with you prior to getting started on your tax returns.            

To find an office closest to you, visit one of the following Web sites. While walk-ins are usually welcome, you’ll experience less waiting if you make an appointment in advance. A typical appointment will last 45 to 90 minutes, after which your tax returns will likely be ready to file electronically.  

• H&R Block – (800) 472-5625  / www.hrblock.com
• Jackson Hewitt Tax Service – (800) 234-1040 / www.jacksonhewitt.com
• Liberty Tax Service – (866) 871-1040 / www.libertytax.com

For people who qualify (including military personnel and their families, those with an annual income less than $40,000, and/or people over the age of 60), free tax help is available through the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. To determine if you qualify for no-cost VITA or TCE assistance, call (800) 829-1040, or visit www.irs.gov.  


HIRING AN CPA (CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT)              

When hiring a CPA, seek out a referral from someone you know. An alternative is to contact the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (888-777-7077) (www.aicpa.org) for a referral.            

Set up an initial meeting with a CPA to make sure he/she is someone who is knowledgeable, experienced, trustworthy, easy to get along with, and who will be able to assist you with whatever tax or personal financial planning issues you’re dealing with, both now and in the future.            

It’s important to know exactly what services you’re looking for, and to be prepared for your initial meeting by having all of your financial records ready to turn over. From the CPA, after reviewing their educational background and credentials, get everything you agree to in writing – including their fees. By the end of your first meeting with a CPA, you should know exactly what to expect, how much their services will cost, and what the turn-around time for completing your tax returns, for example, will be.            

The cost of hiring a CPA will vary, between $50 and $300 (or more) per hour, depending on their area of expertise and what services are being performed for you, the client.  

Jason R. Rich is the series editor and author of "Entrepreneur Magazine’s Personal Finance Pocket Guides." To learn more, please go to www.JasonRich.com.