Thank you for your interest in my firm for your tax preparation needs.  Whether you have a one page short form, run your own business, own income properties or are an active investor I strive to give every client these five things:

• An appointment scheduled at a mutually convenient time (including evenings and weekends during the tax season)
• Enough time to not only prepare their tax return but to allow for the client to ask questions related to next year's return
• Assurance their return has been prepared accurately in accordance with current tax laws
• Peace of mind that their return will be filed electronically
• Year-round consultations by telephone, email or by appointment if necessary (an hourly fee may apply)

Why choose my firm for your tax return preparation?  If you are looking for a new accountant be sure to ask them these questions?

Questions to ask a Tax Preparer	Westbridge Accounting	Comments
Are you licensed?  By whom?	I am licensed by the IRS, having passed a rigorous 2-day examination on all areas of federal taxation.  I have passed a FBI background check and must recertify my credentials every 3 years.	Sadly, there is no Federal or Mass. requirement for licensing of tax preparers.  Anyone can hang a shingle and begin preparing returns for a fee.
Is the person I meet with the same person who is responsible for preparing my return?	Your tax return is always prepared by me.  It is not handed off to another "partner" or a data-entry operator.  Nor are your forms scanned and emailed to another country for "off-shore" preparation.	Turnover at tax preparation "chains" is frequent. At least twice a month I receive an email notifying me that I can fax a company in India my client's tax forms and they will prepare a return with my name on it for under $25.
Do I fill out questionnaires and drop them off with my tax forms and then you mail the return back to me?	Over 90% of my clients leave their annual appointment with their tax return in hand and ready to be filed electronically.  I ask questions of my clients as I am preparing the tax return to ensure that they are up-to-date on all of the deductions available to them to ensure that they are paying the lowest legal amount of taxes possible.  Clients with complex returns may not be able to leave with their return in hand.  However, I strongly suggest a face-to-face preliminary consultation before I begin preparing the return.	Would you go to a doctor who handed you a clipboard and had you check boxes like "Do you have a fever?" or "Do you sometimes feel tired?" and then handed you a prescription?
Is tax preparation your primary source of income?	Westbridge Accounting provides accounting and tax services only.  I truly believe that when accountants branch out into too many areas (originating mortgage loans, selling life insurance, brokering securities, etc.) that they can not possibly keep up with all of the changes a true tax accountant must know.  I'd rather strive for excellence in one profession than be mediocre in many.	Some firms are using tax preparation as "loss leaders" to entice clients to use other services that will provide higher margins such as loaded mutual funds, life insurance, mortgage origination, etc.
Do you offer Refund Anticipation Loans (RALS)?	I have never and will never offer RALs and I have voiced my outrage to the IRS, the Massachusetts Attorney General and Businessweek magazine.  These short-term and very expensive "payday loans" target those taxpayers who need to stretch their refund as far as it can go.  Taxpayers seeking to pay triple digit interest rates and fatten the wallets of greedy bankers and shady accountants need not patronize my firm.	RALs raise the price of a very simple tax return to over $300!  The IRS will generally issue a refund in 2-3 weeks but these fast money loans carry APRs often exceeding 120%!
Are you available after April 15th?	While I certainly do not work the 100+ hours per week as in the tax season, I am available year-round by appointment to discuss anything related to your taxes.  This includes dealing with IRS correspondence, strategic tax planning and general tax law questions.	Some large commercial tax preparation chains close all but one office in their district.  That office is sometimes only open one day per week!
How do you stay current on the changing tax code?	In order to remain credentialed I must take at least of 24 hours of continuing education annually. Last year I logged over 100 hours.	Sadly, unlicensed preparers are not required to take any continuing education courses.
Will you electronically file my return.  What is the additional cost?	For the 2008 tax year I e-filed 99.5% of the tax returns I prepared.  The remaining were not e-filed at the client's request or because the IRS would not allow the return to be filed electronically (for example, returns for decedents).  Electronic filing has always been offered to clients at no additional charge.	Many firms still charge for this service.
Will you "stand behind" me if I am contacted by the IRS like those other firms say they will?	I'm an Enrolled Agent... I don't stand behind my clients... I stand in front of them and can deal with the IRS directly as their representative if they choose.	Only Enrolled Agents, Attorneys and Certified Public Accountants can represent taxpayers before the Collections and Appeals units of the IRS.  Unlicensed preparers can only correspond with IRS regarding an audited tax return that they prepared.