Here’s another Bozo Tax Tip that keeps coming around. The problem is, the Bozos don’t change their stripes. In any case, here are some signs your accountant might be a Bozo:
* He’s never met a deduction that doesn’t fit everyone. There’s no reason why a renter can’t take a mortgage interest deduction, right? And everyone’s entitled to $20,000 of employee business expenses…even if their salary is just $40,000 a year. Ask the proprietors of Western Tax Service about that.
* He believes that the income tax is voluntary. After all, we live in a democracy, so we don’t have to pay taxes, right?
* Besides preparing tax returns, he sells courses on why the Income Tax is Unconstitutional or how by filing the magical $2295 papers he sells you will be able to avoid the income tax.
* He wants you to sign over that tax refund to him. After all, he’ll make sure you get your share of it after he takes out his 50% of the refund.
I am adding to the list for this year a new Bozo accountant symptom you want to look for:
* He refuses to turn over your records to you in a timely fashion.
I submit for your consideration today’s potential Bozo accountant as a sterling example. Mr. Christopher Jacobsen stands accused of embezzling $67,000 from the Libertyville Boys Club, as reported by Amy Alderman of the Trib Local/Libertyville.
If the accusations are correct, he not only stole $67,000 from the Boys Club, but he also managed to cover his tracks for some time just by making up BS excuses (hint: do not accept BS excuses from your accounting professional.)
Enrolled Agents, CPAs, and attorneys are bound by Circular 230 in how they prepare tax returns. Don’t accept less than an ethical tax professional or you, too, will be a Bozo.
Tags: BozoTaxPreparer, BozoTaxTips