The Franchise Tax Board reminds the more than 9.7 million taxpayers who use tax preparers for the income tax filing season to make sure their preparer is a qualified tax professional.

“Taxpayers are responsible for errors made on their tax returns even if they are made by a tax preparer,” said Controller John Chiang. “If you use a tax preparer, make sure you are dealing with a qualified, honest and professional one.”  

State law requires preparers to be licensed CPAs, Public Accountants, Enrolled Agents, attorneys or registered with of the California Tax Education Council in order to prepare income taxes for a fee, according to an FTB press release. The following organizations can provide more information on registered tax professionals in California:

• The California Board of Accountancy licenses CPAs and Public Accountants www.dca.ca.gov/cba.

• California Society of Certified Public Accountants www.calcpa.org.

• California Society of Enrolled Agents www.csea.org.

• California Tax Education Council www.ctec.org.

The IRS and FTB have a brochure, FTB Publication 982, How to Select an Income Tax Return Preparer, where taxpayers can learn more about choosing a tax professional.

Some common signs that a tax preparer may be abusive include:

• Claiming they can get bigger refunds than other tax preparers. Someone unfamiliar with your financial situation cannot make such a guarantee.

• Basing their fee on a percentage of the refund amount rather than the complexity of the tax return.

• Filing schedules where the information is fraudulent or lacks documentation to support the income or deductions.

• Refusing to sign the tax return as the paid preparer or not providing a copy for the taxpayer’s records. The preparer is required by law to sign the return.

• Require you to sign a blank return or in pencil.

• The preparer is not properly licensed or registered./Register