Individual Tax Preparation

Find a tax preparer near Charleston, SC

Find a tax preparer near Charleston, SC

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Top 10 Tax Preparers near Charleston, SC

Tax Preparation Services Cost Guide

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Q & A

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Thumbtack.

How much does it cost to get taxes done?

Hiring a professional to help with income tax preparation can be priceless. Pro help can mean no mistakes and a maximized tax return. The cost to get your income taxes done depends on the professional you hire. Tax attorneys or in-demand CPAs will often have the highest rates for their services. Next in the pricing tier are enrolled agents, who will usually have higher rates than individuals solely working with a preparer tax identification number (PTIN). Nationally, the average cost of income tax preparation ranges from $150 to $190. Income tax preparation prices can also vary based on where you live and the complexity of your tax returns. Here are some examples of average income tax preparation prices from an enrolled agent:  

  • Taxpayers filing only a W-2 tax form: $50.
  • Taxpayers filing a W-2 along with additional tax forms such 1099-INT and 1098-E: $150.
  • Taxpayers with several tax forms and one or two additional considerations such as a rental property, investment transactions, K-1 income, 1099-MISC or a simple small business: $225.
  • Taxpayers with multiple activities (rentals, K-1 income, small business, etc.), several stock transactions and more: $395.

Nationally, the average hourly rate nationally for a tax prep professional ranges between $150 and $450.  

Is it better to have a CPA do your taxes?

Hiring a certified public accountant (CPA) could be a better option instead of doing your taxes by yourself, but it depends on your tax situation and preferences. Having a CPA do your taxes is usually recommended if you have a business or any type of side job, or if you’ve been contacted by the IRS for a tax-related matter. Others who can benefit are those who own rental properties or have many assets. You can also hire a CPA if you need help understanding what deductions or credit you might qualify for.

Is it worth it to pay someone to do your taxes?

There are several reasons it could be worth it to have an experienced professional do your taxes instead of self-filing. For example, it can help reduce the chance of you making a mistake that could land you in trouble with the IRS. And, it could save you time for other important tasks. If you have a side job, rental property or many assets, having someone do your taxes can pay off in the short- and long-run.

Contact several tax professionals near you to discuss your needs and get free estimates. Then, decide if hiring a pro is right for you.

What is a tax preparer called?

A tax preparer can take the form of several different job titles, but they must have an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) to be authorized to prepare federal tax returns, according to the IRS. Some titles may include enrolled agents, who are licensed by the IRS, as well as certified public accountants (CPAs). Some tax attorneys may offer tax preparation and planning services, though not all are qualified to do this.

Do tax preparers offer remote or virtual services?

Contact local CPAs or tax professionals to see if they can offer their services without in-person contact. Many firms can operate remotely or virtually, and others that typically operate face-to-face may be changing their procedures to keep up with social distancing guidelines. 

How much do accountants charge for tax help?

On average, individual tax preparation services cost $242, and prices typically range from $137- $454. However, many factors can impact how much an accountant will charge you for tax assistance. For an accurate price estimate, request quotes from several certified public accountants (CPAs) near you. 

Who can file my taxes?

Any individual with a preparer tax identification number (PTIN) is eligible to file your income taxes on your behalf. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they will be the best candidate to provide the help you need with your income tax preparation. The IRS explains that CPAs, attorneys and enrolled agents are all allowed to legally represent their clients before the IRS. They have a more thorough understanding of tax code than an individual operating solely with a PTIN or an Annual Filing Season Program participant who provides their services on a volunteer basis. Consider the complexity of your tax return and what level of expertise you’ll require. Before entrusting someone with your private financial and personal information, do some research on their qualifications. The IRS has a searchable database where you can verify the background and credentials of your income tax preparation professional. Once you have selected someone, ask about their service fees and confirm their availability. Then provide them with all the documentation they require, including W-2s, 1099s and more. Always ask to review the paperwork before it is submitted, and never sign a blank tax return.

Reviews for Charleston tax preparers
Jeremy h.
Very knowledgeable, professional and fast, They helped me reduce what I owe by a significant number. Definitely will be going to them for now on to prepare my taxes.
Richardson ConsultingRichardson Consulting
Tyler H.
I contacted Christine to do my taxes and upon arriving, we talked and she seemed like a nice lady. She then rushed me through the next fifteen minutes. She didn’t ask about the capital gains I had made from the stock market, she didn’t understand how I was trying to file my taxes in terms of applying for a mortgage. She encouraged me to make a list of business expenses that I didn’t actually buy that year. She asked me to make a copy of my tax returns which I thought was normal, but later she claimed me letting her copy those was an agreement to pay her for something she hadn’t done. I asked her how much tax would be paid in a few different scenarios regarding claiming tips and she said she would take a look but said nothing about an extra charge. She then proceeded to charge me 35 dollars extra for seeing how much tax would be paid on a certain amount of tips after the fact. She charged an extra 35 dollars because I had schedule c income. She will also charge a fee for “out of pocket expenses”. As you can imagine, this could be anything she wants and and she can charge whatever she wants under this section. She decided to charge me 10 dollars. All in all I was in there for 15 minutes and I never spoke to her after that or asked her to file my taxes. On July 10, she proceeded to charge me 255 dollars for tax preparation. I got my actual taxes done for 150 by someone who listened to me and knows what they are doing for a fair price. Eight days later, she sent me another email explaining that if I didn’t pay that day, she would send it to collection so I would have to pay an extra 100 bucks. When I told here I was going to leave a bad review, she tried to scare me away by saying that she would dispute it and that it would only look poorly on me, even though I’m not running a business on here. She is welcome to dispute it, but everything I said is true. It’s up to each individual to decide whether they want to do business with her. But I can tell you that as soon as you step through her apartment door, you apparently owe her 175 dollars at minimum. And if you try to dispute anything she will threaten to send it to collection to intentionally ruin your credit. I had to pay her literally out of fear of my credit being ruined. Almost sounds like extortion
Accounting & Tax Management Inc.Accounting & Tax Management Inc.
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