What are tax preparation fees?

Tax preparation fees are the price that the tax accountancy professionals charge individuals, small enterprises, and LLCs for services with tax return filings. The general rule is that the more complex your tax return or higher earnings, the more your tax preparing fees increase.

Most accountants or tax preparation professionals will offer to do a free consultation before they can set a tax preparation fee schedule or charge preparation fees. When considering a reputable tax preparation firm, there is always a need to find out how these costs are calculated and determined. Ask the all-important questions - are tax preparation fees tax deductible?

What is the average tax preparation fee?

Tax accountants may have a system where each form or schedule attracts a flat fee. Average costs of filing forms are as follows:

  • Form 1040 with a Schedule A and state return is $273
  • Form 1040 with non-itemized deductions plus state return is $176
  • Form 1040 with Schedule C for a side business is $184
  • Schedule D for gains and losses is $124
  • Schedule E for rental tax is $135
  • Schedule F for farm tax is $180

What affects tax preparation fees?

The level of expertise and qualification of the tax preparer

Depending on the specific situation, the services of a tax preparer may require someone with profound tax filing experience. Dealing with tax authorities can be hectic and high-level advice will be necessary, which might not be forthcoming from an average tax preparer.

Although the initial tax preparing fee from an expert tax accountant may be high, the accuracy and thoroughness involved may prove ultimately cost-effective. The tax preparation fee schedule by a professional tax advisor of high caliber may also answer to queries such as ‘are tax preparation fees deductible?’

The level of tax document organization

Having disorganized tax receipts and records will fetch a higher price as it means the preparer has more work to do. Well organized tax documents call for less summarization and management, therefore bringing tax preparing fees down. 

Asking the question ‘are tax preparation fees deductible?’ displays a level of commitment for organization and cost-consciousness.

Area of residence or business operation

There are different tax preparation fees across the country and those of hiring other financial professionals. The Pacific Coast has a higher tax preparation fee average than the southern United States. Ask your advisor ‘are tax preparation fees deductible?’ since some clients may be embroiled in complicated IRS situations as opposed to needing just the standard 1040.

The tax preparation fees will be higher than the national average in the instance of this preparation fee schedule.

The health or state of your taxes

Depending on the state of your tax filing record and any complications with tax situations, tax preparation fees will reflect the amount of time spent working on them by professionals. Better service also calls for higher prices, and the minimum labor or tax records organization will incur somewhere near the national average rate of $176.

Circumstances such as additional businesses will need a Schedule C and itemized deduction on top of the basic 1040, bringing the tax preparation fee to an average of about $450.

What are the Tax Preparation Fees?

There are standard methods that tax accountants will apply to come up with a tax preparation fee. The fee schedule methods include;

1. Charging a set preparation fee for each tax form or schedule

Tax preparers charge a set preparation fee for each tax form or schedule. They establish a fixed cost for assisting with specific tax documents. This approach simplifies fee structures, making it easier for clients to understand the costs associated with different forms. However, the fairness of such fees depends on the complexity of the tax forms and the expertise required to prepare them.

2. Charging a fee similar to what was paid in the previous tax year

Working with the same tax preparer year after year, and where the tax situation for has remains more or less the same may get you matching tax preparation fee rate. In their tax preparation fee schedule, any extra charges in such tax preparing rates will arise if the tax situation has changed or become complicated.

3. Charging a minimum rate and extra where complications arise

With well-organized and uncomplicated tax returns, an advisor may charge a minimum flat rate. This, however, may change if there are complicated time-consuming processes where an extra fee above the flat rate may apply.

4. Charging a fee based on value or subjective estimation

Some tax preparation advisors can assess tax returns and come up with a value-based price. By simply looking at the work at hand, the tax preparer will estimate the amount of work needed to put them in order enabling them to quote a one-off fee. 

5. Charging an hourly rate

Depending on time spent preparing your taxes; a tax advisor may charge an hourly rate. Though some hourly fees can be high, the less time needed to complete your taxes will translate into cost savings.

What else is included in Tax Preparation Fees?

Some tax professionals can include extra charges for office visits, electronic tax filing, and audit protection fees. It's advisable therefore to find out what manners of extras are included in your advisor's tax preparing fees. Other extra costs that attach themselves to tax preparation fees include peak time premiums.

These are charged by some firms when the tax season is at its busiest such as the period before the April deadline after the W-2 forms have been mailed out. Lower tax preparation fees can be achieved during the less active offseason period. Just like disorganized receipts records, having missing tax documents for the tax preparation fee schedule like 1099 for earned interest income will accrue extra charges.

info icon Helpful Resource: How much does an accountant cost?

What Are Inappropriate Tax Preparation Pricing Methods?

The US Treasury Department has a list of prohibited pricing models that are considered illegal. Prohibitions of charging unconscionable fees revolve around setting prices based on the financial information of a tax return. Except in specific situations, tax advisors are not allowed to charge fees based on such contingencies as a percentage of a tax refund.

Unscrupulous tax advisors could also be taking undue tax credits or deductions and making inappropriate charges to clients. Detecting exorbitance in the tax preparation fees can be an indication that the process is fraudulent.

What Happens in The Event of a Tax Preparation Fee Dispute?

The US Treasury Department has regulations that protect your interests in case there is a disagreement over the tax preparation fee. Any tax documents that have been submitted to a tax advisor can be returned without paying a fee. The law also empowers tax accountants to retain any papers, forms or schedules prepared for you if there's no pay.

Do you need help with your taxes?

Finding the right accountant has never been easier. In just 5 minutes, we'll get to know you and the kind of help you're looking for.

Contents

Find an Accountant