Local News
Don’t invite trouble: Choose your tax preparer with care
— According to the IRS, 80 percent of Americans enlist the help of a tax preparer or tax software when filing their taxes.
Last year, the Better Business Bureau serving Central, Coastal and Southwest Texas received 43 complaints against tax return preparers alleging errors in their return which resulted in fines and fees.
The BBB recommends taking the time to find a reliable tax preparation service to avoid any fines or fees if the return isn’t correct or filed late.
To find a trustworthy tax preparer, BBB offers the following tips:
• Check credentials
While there are no national or state (TX) regulations for paid tax preparers, only attorneys, certified public accountants (CPAs) and federally authorized tax practitioners known as Enrolled Agents may represent taxpayers before the IRS at all administrative levels, including an audit. Also, find out if the preparer is affiliated with a professional organization that holds its members to a code of ethics.
• Don’t fall for the
promise of a big refund
Be wary of any tax preparation service that promises larger refunds than the competition and avoid any tax preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the refund.
• Ask around
Get referrals from friends and family on who they use and check the BBB Reliability Report™ on tax preparation services at www.bbb.org.
• Read the contract carefully
Read tax preparation service contracts closely to verify the cost of services and how the cost will be affected if preparation is more complicated or time consuming than expected. Additionally, consumers should find out whether the tax preparer will represent them in case of an audit.
• Think long term
Many tax preparation services only operate for the months leading up to April 15th. In case the IRS finds errors or in case of an audit, consumers may need to be able to contact the tax preparer in the future.
To check the reliability of a company, visit www.bbb.org.
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CTMC holding free event about Diabetes March 23
Central Texas Medical Center’s (CTMC) Institute for Healthy Living is calling attention to diabetes in our community during Diabetes Alert Day. CTMC will host a free community diabetes education event on March 23 with activities from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in it’s Community Classroom.
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Crane survives snake bite, gives new hope to researchers
After the poisonous snake slithered into the whooping crane family's marshy grounds and sank its fangs into the chick's neck, death seemed certain.
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Furry perks: ‘Shop pets’ work their magic in San Marcos
Bill is a certified life saver, while Lacey and Frisky have been used as clever marketing tools.
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County: Census counts
Hays County stands to receive some $70.3 million per year in additional funds for the next 10 years if the April 1 U.S. Census count is accurate, according to estimates made by the Capital Area Council of Governments.
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Local officials talk with Doggett in D.C.
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Evolution expert to deliver lecture at Texas State
Jerry A. Coyne, professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolution at the University of Chicago, will present an evening talk and book signing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, at the Alkek Library Teaching Theatre on the campus of Texas State University-San Marcos.
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CTMC holding free event about Diabetes March 23
