Still Haven't Matched With the Right Tax Professional? 3 Ways to Find Them

Now that we're well into the month of March, it's time to get serious about filing your taxes. Tax returns for 2023 are due on April 15. And if you don't submit your taxes on time, there can be costly penalties for filing late when you owe the IRS money.

When you don't owe any money, there's technically no penalty for a late filing. But you'll delay your refund from hitting your bank account, which is bad news in its own right.

Now, if your tax situation is straightforward, you may be able to file your taxes on your own. But if you're self-employed, work and live in different states, or have a business you run, then it generally pays to hire a tax professional.

But what if you haven't managed to find the right person for the job? Maybe you met with an accountant you found through an online search, and their fees were too high, or you just didn't get a good feeling about them.

At this point, the clock's ticking down to find tax help. Here are some key steps to take.

1. Ask friends and colleagues for recommendations

Getting tax help recommendations from people you know is beneficial for a couple of reasons. First, you can go into those initial meetings with more confidence knowing that someone you know has had a good experience with the professional in question.

But also, many tax preparers are pretty booked for the season at this point. So if you call one cold, they may not be able (or willing) to fit you in. But if you name-drop a client who's been with them for 15 years, they may be willing to throw you a bone and squeeze you in this late in the season.

2. Use the IRS's directory to find a qualified professional

The problem with simply doing an online search for a tax professional is that you're not guaranteed to find someone with the right credentials. The good thing about using the IRS's directory is that you can vet different professionals' credentials from the start.

At this point in the tax season, you can't afford to waste time talking to tax preparers who aren't really qualified to help you. So if you use the aforementioned directory as a starting point, you minimize that risk.

3. Consider an enrolled agent if you can't find a CPA

Some people have it in their heads that only a CPA is qualified to offer tax help. But if you can't find a CPA with availability, it pays to consider working with an enrolled agent instead.

Enrolled agents are professionals who have extensive knowledge of IRS laws. In fact, enrolled agent status is the highest credential the IRS awards. Professionals who manage to attain this status must not only adhere to ethical standards, but also complete 72 hours of continuing education courses every three years to make sure they're up to date on the latest rules.

If you haven't yet found a tax professional you're comfortable with, don't panic. You still have some time to line up the help you need. But it pays to use these tips to expedite the process so you don't end up with a late filing on your hands.