Traditionally, CPA's are only available to highly compensated individuals willing to pay their expensive fees. This leaves everyone else the choice of a National Tax Service or a Local Tax Service. Regarding the national tax chains, the Better Business Bureau writes, "A high school degree and a good command of the English language generally are the only prerequisites to be admitted to their courses." A successful graduate of their six-week course might get a position with the company and may get a chance to prepare your taxes. Many of their employees work part time and may have only a refresher course in December before they prepare tax returns.

A second type of tax preparer is the unprofessional "fly by night" tax office that suddenly appears inside the front lobby of a check cashing store or a pawn shop offering expensive loans on last check stubs.  A good question to ask yourself is why would anyone go to a check casher to get their tax return prepared.  They are usually pushing expensive refund bank products that prey on the lower income individuals.  These offices are typically operated by regional tax service companies or inexperienced franshisees that know little or nothing about federal, state, and local income taxes.  Since detailed knowledge of the tax law is not a prerequisite at these places, they usually only have the ability to prepare simple returns.  In reality, they are inputing numbers and letting the software prepare the tax return.  Identity theft is a serious issue and  your personal information is potentially at risks of being stolen when preparing your taxes inside the payday store.  Many times you'll get your taxes prepared right inside the front door of the cash checking store which is great if you you don't mind talking about private information in the lobby or showing your social security card or other tax documents while  people are walking in and out listening and watching.  You have to hope the pawn shop or payday loan store isn't robbed the night you visit.  

Another choice you may have is the small local practitioner.  At many of the local tax services, they are ready to set up shop and start preparing tax returns once they become proficient with a calculator and obtain a sturdy kitchen table, a couple of bingo chairs, a pencil, and a carton of cigarettes. While these tax preparers may be legitimate, they offer only a very general knowledge of the tax laws and may not get you all the tax breaks to which you are entitled. Your return may be prepared while they're enjoying a nice after dinner cigarette and cup of decaf coffee.  Although you may save $100 to $200 utilizing the services of a local tax preparer and help them pay off their holiday bills, you're probably costing yourself  thousands of dollars in missed deductions, credits, and tax planning. Enough about these guys, why use ZOOMTAX? 

The ZOOMTAX Difference

At ZOOMTAX, you are going to get a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), former IRS Agents or other professionals to take care of your tax needs.  A C.P.A. has a college degree, has passed a state professional qualifying exam and meets the state licensing criteria. Additionally, C.P.A.'s are required to meet Continuing Professional Education requirements in order to maintain their professional license. In addition to benefiting us, the continuing education benefits you because you can be assured that your professional is staying updated on the ever-changing tax laws. On top of the educational requirements that must be met, our C.P.A.'s also have valuable tax and customer service experience obtained while working at one of the largest professional services firm in the world. Our people also have the experience of working for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and they understand how to work with the IRS to solve your problems.  We are here to help you year round.