so the days of turbotax are out for me i think. i got married this year, am part owner of a business and have a day job as an engineer. i've got a ton of questions regarding how i should file taxes this year. does anyone know of a good adviser to talk to?

12/11/2008 5:11:03 PM

H&R Block in Cary off of kildaire. I get mine done there every year for several years now.

I also had a notice that I owed $3000+ in back taxes so I took all the paperwork to my accountant there and she decided to go back a year before and after for the year in question. Turns out the IRS owed me $1800 and I got a nice fat check So yeah...they're good!

12/11/2008 5:15:13 PM

i've always wondered about H&R Block. do you use the same accountant every year or do they give you a different one each year? i'd like to establish a somewhat personal relationship w/ my accountant and use the same person from here on out.

12/11/2008 5:18:52 PM

I use the same person every year. She's also the same person my rents use every year. So we all get a discount since we referred each other. I actually got a check in the mail for $25 because I referred a co-worker.

[Edited on December 11, 2008 at 5:21 PM. Reason : .]

12/11/2008 5:21:12 PM

going to H&R block to have your taxes done is like going to applebees for a steak

12/11/2008 10:57:04 PM

^
Agreed.
One of my good friends is an accountant in Raleigh. Check out Jewel DeButts and Roberts. They are off of Six Forks.
And they support the Wolfpack!

12/11/2008 11:03:01 PM

Quote :

"going to H&R block to have your taxes done is like going to applebees for a steak"

Its all in who you find. If you come to one of my offices I guarentee your return will be done correctly and more efficiently then most CPAs. What most people dont realize is that the average CPA has temporary tax preparers just like any H&R Block, Liberty Tax, or Jackson Hewitt. You just think it sounds better with CPA in their title. By the way CPA stands for Certificed Public Accountant not Certifice Public Tax Preparer. Not all CPAs know their taxes and not all tax preparers know accounting.

12/11/2008 11:28:18 PM

You're dealing with business income. Use a CPA.

I'd give you the info for mine, but I don't think he's taking on new clients right now.

12/11/2008 11:34:09 PM

Quote :

"What most people dont realize is that the average CPA has temporary tax preparers just like any H&R Block, Liberty Tax, or Jackson Hewitt."

Most public accounting firms do not employee temps to prepare taxes.

Definition of "the average CPA (firm?)" might come into play here, but I'd say that temps generally don't prepare tax returns.

12/11/2008 11:35:21 PM

Eligibility and requirements to become a CPA in North Carolina:
http://www.nccpaboard.gov/clients/ncboa/public/static/exams.htm
http://www.nccpaboard.gov/clients/ncboa/public/static/subchapter8f.htm#EDUCATIONAL

Eligibility and requirements to become a tax preparer at H&R Block:
http://www.hrblock.com/taxes/planning/tax_courses/index.html

12/11/2008 11:48:21 PM

Quote :

"You're dealing with business income. Use a CPA. I'd give you the info for mine, but I don't think he's taking on new clients right now."

It all depends on the type of business. If you are a sole propreitor with moderate income and little expense there is no reason to limit yourself to a CPA. Most of the big three have EAs or experienced tax preparers that have handled several Schedule C's and are more than qualified to do the job. If your business is a partnership or you have incorporated you will need to be more careful about who you hire to prepare your taxes. In this case an EA or a CPA who specializes in tax would be more appropriate.

Quote :

"Most public accounting firms do not employee temps to prepare taxes."

Of course the major public accounting firms do not hir temp tax preparers. But who goes to a public firm to get there personal income tax returns done? Nobody in our tax brackets.

Quote :

"Definition of "the average CPA (firm?)" might come into play here, but I'd say that temps generally don't prepare tax returns. "

Wrong. Every tax prep company hires seasonal employees to work for them, including CPAs.

Furthermore, I never stated that it was not extremely difficult to become a CPA. The restrictions and testing within NC are very tough. I only said that not all CPAs are experts in tax, and that most tax preparers have more basic tax knowledge then CPAs.

12/12/2008 10:38:59 AM

my business is set up as a s-corp and its a partnership. i think i'm going to give Jewel DeButts and Roberts a call.

12/12/2008 10:42:39 AM

You will file an 1120S for the S-Corp then.

12/12/2008 10:50:01 AM

Quote :

"Quote : "Definition of "the average CPA (firm?)" might come into play here, but I'd say that temps generally don't prepare tax returns. " Wrong. Every tax prep company hires seasonal employees to work for them, including CPAs. "

I was going for- temps don't prepare tax returns at public accounting firms. I'm well aware that tax prep companies hire seasonal employees. I have a top 5 firm prepare my taxes. Mostly because I work there... I digress, I was mostly arguing your point that average CPA's hire temps.. perhaps I read it incorrectly (should have said tax prep firms hire temps).

12/12/2008 5:11:01 PM

I'm looking for a CPA that specializes or is proficient in LLC's, any recommendations??

[Edited on March 9, 2009 at 2:03 AM. Reason : ...]

3/9/2009 2:02:51 AM

Anyone know of a CPA that deals with people who constantly travel, would help if they know the rules reguarding Per Diems.

3/9/2009 7:50:24 AM

Quote :

"I'm looking for a CPA that specializes or is proficient in LLC's, any recommendations?? "

Are you a sole-member LLC or a partnership?

Per diem rates can get pretty tricky. I hope you have kept track of the days you traveled and where you went to. Per diem rates vary throughout the country. You will need to also know whether you were reimbursed under an accountable or non-accountable plan, assuming you were reimbursed.



[Edited on March 9, 2009 at 10:47 PM. Reason : More]

3/9/2009 10:40:30 PM

I was out of town traveling all year except for 2 weekends a month.

I will have to check on the accountable or non-accountable plan.

3/10/2009 7:49:50 AM

Maybe it's just because my firm is old school, but I was surprised to find out when I started that we actually charge less than H&R Block or a similar type company. I'm not a CPA yet and I prepare returns, but we typically have two CPAs look over every return, unless it's simple 1040EZs or whatever. I would ask around and see if you could find a good local company. If you have a personal relationship with your accountant instead of just whoever gets it a certain year, they will probably be able to help you make better decisions not just in the current tax year but for the future.

3/10/2009 2:02:36 PM

guess it's that time again

1/8/2010 9:01:21 PM

ttt
Specifically someone familiar with S-corps


[Edited on February 15, 2010 at 10:22 AM. Reason : fdf]

2/15/2010 10:21:01 AM