Why you should chose a local tax preparer over H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt, or Liberty Tax Service

Often, people seeking assistance with their taxes take the path of least resistance and choose one of the “Big” tax services, such as H&R Block, Liberty Tax Service or Jackson Hewitt.  Let’s be realistic, they are convenient; they are everywhere and they are well known.  However, you should really consider using a smaller tax service.

1.       Many of the “Big Box” preparers are unfamiliar with the tax code.

Part of the reason that there is an H&R Block on every block and a Jackson Hewitt in every Wal-Mart is that they hire a ton of seasonal tax preparers every year.  This means that the people that they hire have little to no experience and very little training.  Once tax season is done, they will go back to looking for a job, presuming that they find a job, they won’t be back next year.  Some of the people are hired because they cannot find a permanent job.  Is this the person you really want with your sensitive personal and financial information?

 

2.      Local companies keep money in the community and bolster the economy all year.

Large tax companies are generally franchises that people can buy.  The person who owns the franchise must send hundreds of thousands of dollars to a large corporation in order to buy the franchise, purchase supplies from out of town companies, and send a percentage of their profits to the multinational company to pay overpriced CEOs.  With all of this money flowing out of the local community, the local economy struggles.  The struggling economy employs less people and creates an oversupply of employees, which reduces wages. 

Your local tax preparer spends money in the community, creating jobs and a tax base.  The tax money will be used to help build roads and help your local community.

Not only that, you will feel better about yourself if you support a local working class family, rather than a rich CEO.

 

3.      Your local preparer will be available all year long.

After April 15, the large tax offices close almost all of their offices.  There is no one there to go talk to if you have a question, get a letter from the IRS, need a copy of your tax return, or any other problem that may come up during the year.  When they re-open the following year, the person that is there will be a new face that is unfamiliar with you and your tax situation.

 

4.      Your local preparer may charge less.

Local tax preparers are part of your community.  They understand the struggles of the people in it.  We generally can’t afford expensive commercials, thousands of storefronts (which are vacant eyesores 2/3 of the year), or ugly green bowties, nor do we send a large part of our profit to someone else.  Who do you really think pays for that?  You do!