Red Flags
Guaranteed specific results before reviewing your finances. Large non-refundable upfront fees before anyone looks at your file. High-pressure sales tactics. Claims of special relationships with the IRS. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
Legitimate Signs
Thorough financial analysis before recommendations. Written engagement letter with clear fees. Realistic expectations about timelines. Credentials you can verify: attorney, CPA, or Enrolled Agent.
A legitimate tax professional tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. That is how you know they are working for you.
This guide is general information about federal tax law, not legal advice for your situation. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.