Unlicensed tax preparers promise bigger refunds by making up deductions, but you're legally responsible for what they file. Verify your preparer is a CPA or enrolled agent, sign off on the return yourself, and watch for audits, back taxes, and penalties.
It's tax season, so let me protect you from something I've seen happen too many times. Be careful who you trust to prepare your taxes, especially in our Latino communities. There are people out there who say they're tax preparers, but they're not trained, they're not licensed, and they don't really know what they're doing. But here's a red flag: they promise you a bigger refund. They'll say, "I can get you more money than anyone else. Listen to me, the law's the law. There's no secret formula." So how do they do it? They make things up. They fake deductions. The numbers aren't real, and in the moment it feels good. You get a bigger refund check, but later You're going to get audited and now you're going to owe taxes, interest, penalties. And here's the hardest part. Even if they did your return, you're still responsible to pay, not the preparer. So protect yourself. Make sure that your preparer is qualified, certified, a CPA or an enrolled agent. Make sure they sign your return. And most importantly, review your tax return before it gets filed, because if something is wrong, if your name's on it, I've seen too many good people get hurt. So don't risk your future for a bigger refund today. Do it right. Sleep at peace knowing you did things with honesty and integrity. Please follow me, like, share, comment, and click the link in my bio to see how our Finances con Corazón community is creating a Latino economic revolution.
