cookj5 Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 Any recommendations for tax preparers of US taxes? We are looking for someone based here at Lakeside with a basic fee that is reasonable. Our current tax person’s basic fee has now jumped to $300 USD. Our taxes are not terribly complex, but still more than we want to deal with on our own. Please include contact info, if possible. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ibarra Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 Here is a link I found by an easy search of this Board: https://chapala.com/webboard/index.php?/topic/82046-usa-income-tax-preparation-new-clients-needed-all-money-goes-to-the-kids-to-raise-funds-for-solar-panels-at-have-hammer-school/#comment-605221 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tingting Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 Have you tried the programs such as TurboTax? I know this isn't what you asked, but just a note...when we had our business, the first time we needed taxes done, we went to a local tax provider and ended up paying nearly $1k. I knew this wasn't right, but there wasn't much we could do. The next year, I got the program and it was user-friendly and walked me through every stage. I learned a lot, very quickly. What a difference! Even stocks were much easier to claim (buying/selling). It's not for everyone, but it sure was for us. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chapalence Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 57 minutes ago, Tingting said: Have you tried the programs such as TurboTax? I know this isn't what you asked, but just a note...when we had our business, the first time we needed taxes done, we went to a local tax provider and ended up paying nearly $1k. I knew this wasn't right, but there wasn't much we could do. The next year, I got the program and it was user-friendly and walked me through every stage. I learned a lot, very quickly. What a difference! Even stocks were much easier to claim (buying/selling). It's not for everyone, but it sure was for us. We also used Turbo Tax for business and personal taxes. It was so much cheaper than paying someone and easier in the end. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traderspoc Posted January 28 Report Share Posted January 28 $300 is fair price for probably what you may have, you do not make price the issue, your accountant is doing a good job stay with them, quality is the issue, you may switch to someone with lower quality and less experience. Its cost more this year for tax software and education to be a tax accountant. also inflation up 8% cost of living. I am semi retired tax accountant and financial planner, no tax return is simple. most people have something unusual, or an odd issue to deal with. You cant just copy off last years tax return, Laws and rules change every year and if now you may have other issues as an expat. also if you have bank account in Mexico, make sure you check the box on schedule B, If you have a foriegn account. and if you have over $10,000 dollars file a fin cin 114, it is required. Get constancia from your Mexican bank and report interest earned deduct any foreign taxes you pay on a from 1116. They now have artificial intelligence to check foriegn accounts, they are getting smarter. .if you which to change tax accountant do your due diligence. Check the person out carefully. I am not taking on new business. I have plenty of good clients who want a seasoned professional. Most acountants I know here and in the states are raising they fees a llittle bit do to inflation. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CorinneS Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 $300 seems like a reasonable price. I will 100% disagree with users who say to use Turbo tax or other online software. A friend went and used 5 different ones a couple years ago and EVERY program came up with different amounts owed or refunded all with the same info. I pay a lot more than 300 and will gladly do so as my CPA saves me more than his cost in deductions I just don’t know about. Just my 2cents. ❤️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickS Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 OP has suggested taxes aren't terribly complex but wishes to use a 'preparer'. May or may not know about TurboTax and the like but.... I have for years used Turbo and now H&R Block programs. Formerly wife ran an LLC and we had 'simple' stock holdings. Program could not have been more simple to use. After 'gathering' tax material, it usually takes me 3-4 hours to 'answer the questions and key in data'. Cost maybe $40 for the program. Free online IF you have a simple tax return (no complex investments, etc) Only once had a problem and they 'cured' that pretty quickly. https://thecollegeinvestor.com/21156/the-best-tax-software/ To each his own..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jreboll Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 I’ve always used TurboTax. I only used a CPA one year that I worked out of the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily H Posted January 30 Report Share Posted January 30 FinCEN form 114 (formerly FBAR) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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