HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR TAX PREPARER

If you are looking for someone to prepare your personal or business income tax returns, or to consult with about tax problems, just what qualities and qualifications are you seeking?

Why not choose H & R Block?

You can choose a firm like H & R Block, a large, publicly held well-known franchise operation for tax return preparation.  They hire and train individuals annually, teaching them the basics of income tax return preparation.  Many of their preparers can take the job with H & R Block on a part-time seasonal basis as a second job.  After the flood of tax returns has been prepared between January and April 15^th, most of these preparers return to their full-time jobs. Many of the part-timers do not return after the first or second year.

The nature of a franchise operation is to process as many returns as possible to meet financial analyst’s expectations of improved profits and revenues.  In order to attract more business, H & R Block advertises.  The firm is known for charging low fees, as you would pay for any commodity.

The H & R Block formula attracts a certain type of clientele.  My guess is that the majority of their business consists of low-income households, and families with one or two W-2’s, a few 1099’s for interest income, and perhaps some itemized deductions.  A simple situation that is the same year after year.  For this clientele H & R Block may be the best choice.

Why not consider a professional tax firm like Lawrence L. Richards, CPA?

Our firm has been located on Ventura Boulevard, in the financial district of Encino since 1974. Our tax preparers are full-time professionals who have been with the firm many years.  They prepare individual and business returns throughout the year, take continuing educations courses in taxes every year, and are involved in tax planning all during the year.  In fact, taxes are uppermost in our minds for every business and individual client we have.  We have yet to find a client not interested in paying the least amount of income taxes legally possible.

People are attracted to our firm by word of mouth from satisfied clients.  Each preparer is associated with our tax clients for many years and have intimate knowledge of the tax issues they face as their situation changes over the years.  Our clients contact us during the year with questions about the tax implications from the sale of a residence, or rental property, or a business. Questions about contribution rules, when to buy or sell stocks or bonds and the related capital gains rules, how the exercise of stock options are affected by the alternative minimum tax rules.  Should a property be sold this year or next year, what choices should be made for employer retirement plans, what are the new depreciation and pension rules… The list is endless.  And we provide the answers to these questions.  As part of our service.

Our clientele are from every walk of life and every income level: from people just starting a career or family, or buying a first home, to retirees, to people changing jobs, to people moving into California and leaving California, to resident and non-resident aliens.  In fact, most of our clients who move out of state, remain our clients.  We have had clients in about 50% of the states in this great country of ours.

Of those of you who are concerned about price, please understand that we do not compete with H & R Block for the lowest price.  Our clients tell us that our fees are reasonable relative to the value and peace of mind we offer.  We might be the choice for you . . . why not give us a call for a consultation, as our gift to you?