There are two sure things in life, death and taxes. In fact, taxes are so inevitable that there has never been a civilization on earth that did not levy taxes. But despite this inevitability, there are ways to reduce the burden that your taxes will put upon you.
The word “tax” comes from the Latin word taxo, which means “I estimate”, and this is exactly what accountants do; they “compter,” count or score, your estimated tax burden. This estimate can vary greatly depending upon a variety of factors, and because of this if you have the right questions to ask an accountant, you can lower your tax burden significantly. Below are a few tips for getting your taxes done, and on questions to ask an accountant.
First, shop around for an accountant. You might think that all accountants are the same, but that could not be further from the truth. You have to find an accountant that best meets your individual needs. For instance, if you are a business owner, there are accountants for small businesses who specialize in small business accounting services. They have small business accounting tips and strategies that can be invaluable to you and your business. Or if you just need to have your households taxes done, there are accountants who specialize in personal finances, and who likewise know the best strategies for maximizing your personal returns. Further, depending on your personal financial needs, locally located small accounting firms or large national accounting firms might be a better fit for you.
Secondly, when you visit your accountant during tax time, have prepared a brief synopsis of your financial life and monetary needs, and bring a list of questions to ask an accountant. Make sure the synopsis is brief and relevant to your taxes. Mention if you have kids in college, a spouse out of work, an elderly parent living with you, or any other information about you and your family that could lead to a deductions. By telling this story, you are subtly asking your accountant if any of these characteristics of your life can save you money. More explicit questions to ask an accountant include what tax bracket am I in, and asking how much more you make then that tax brackets minimum threshold. Another one of the most important questions to ask an accountant is, what can I do differently next year in order to reduce my tax burden. If you plan ahead you really can save a lot of money.
Following these tips and questions to ask an accountant can save you heaps of money and hopefully make tax time less painful.
Check out this site for more: www.sp-pc.ca