Sign in Get featured

Find an expert who's been vouched for

Accountants, attorneys, realtors and more who serve you in Spanish or English. Every Avalado expert is interviewed by our team, with licenses you can look up. Using Valado is free.

All guides

Taxes

How to check a tax preparer

Many people can prepare your return for a fee, but only some can represent you if the IRS has questions later. Check before you hand over your documents.

By the Valado team · Updated October 20, 2026 · 4-minute read

The basics

  • Anyone paid to prepare tax returns must have a PTIN, the preparer tax identification number from the IRS.
  • A paid preparer must sign your return and include their PTIN on it.
  • You are still responsible for everything on your return, even when a preparer signs it.

Who can represent you

According to the IRS, only these professionals can represent you before the IRS in all matters, including audits, collections and appeals:

  • Certified public accountants (CPAs)
  • Enrolled agents
  • Attorneys

Preparers in the IRS Annual Filing Season Program have limited rights: they can represent you only in audits of returns they prepared and signed.

How to check

  1. Ask for the preparer’s full name and credential before you share any documents.
  2. Search the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications. It helps you find preparers by credential or qualification.
  3. For a CPA in Texas, use the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy license lookup. Search by name or license number to see whether the license is current and any disciplinary actions.
  4. For an attorney in Texas, use Find a Lawyer on the State Bar of Texas website.
  5. Before you sign, check that the preparer’s name and PTIN are on your return.

Red flags

  • Their fee is a percentage of your refund.
  • They claim they can get you a bigger refund than other preparers can.
  • They want all or part of your refund deposited into their own account. Your refund should go straight to your bank account.
  • They will not sign the return or will not include their PTIN. The IRS calls this a ghost preparer and a major red flag.
  • They ask you to sign a blank or incomplete return. Never do it.

The IRS also suggests choosing a preparer who is available all year, in case questions come up after tax season.

Where to report

  • Form 14157, Return Preparer Complaint, to report a preparer’s misconduct.
  • Form 14157-A, Tax Return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit, if a preparer filed or changed your return without your consent.

Both are explained on the IRS page Report a tax return preparer.

Sources

  1. IRS: Topic no. 254, How to choose a tax return preparer
  2. IRS: Tips for choosing a tax professional
  3. IRS: Report a tax return preparer
  4. IRS: Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications
  5. Texas State Board of Public Accountancy: License lookup
  6. State Bar of Texas: FAQs for the public

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so confirm with the official source or a licensed professional.