How to Choose a Tax Preparer in Longwood, FL: Ask This
Updated September 26, 2026
Start with the PTIN
Anyone can be paid to prepare tax returns as long as they hold an IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number, called a PTIN. The IRS says this on its guidance for choosing a tax professional. It also says credentials and experience vary a lot from one preparer to the next.
So a PTIN is the minimum, not a gold star. It tells you the person is in the IRS system. It does not tell you how good they are. Ask for the number, and ask what kinds of returns they do every week. A preparer who does returns like yours all season will spot things a beginner misses.
A quick way to test experience: ask how many returns like yours they prepared last season, and what they would need from you. A person who knows the work answers in a sentence. A person who is guessing changes the subject to price.
The signing rule
A paid preparer signs the return and puts their PTIN on it. If someone hands you a finished return with the preparer line blank, walk away. Unsigned returns are a classic sign of a so-called ghost preparer, the kind the IRS warns can disappear with your money and your personal information.
Before you sign your own part, read the return. Check your name, Social Security number, bank account for direct deposit, and income. The refund should go to an account in your name, not the preparer's.
Also ask for a copy of the return when it is filed. You are entitled to your own return, and you will need it for loans, apartment applications and next year's filing. A preparer who is happy to hand it over is a preparer who expects you to check the work.
A real preparer reviews and signs your return. You see the written quote before we start.
Ask for a written quote
You should know the price before the work starts. Ask for it in writing, and ask what is included. A clear quote lists the return type, any extra schedules, and the e-file and processing fees. Our own pricing starts at $99 for a simple W-2 return, $299 for a family return and $450 for a self-employed return, and the final fee is set in a written quote before we begin. You can see the details on the pricing page.
Compare quotes on what you get, not only the bottom line. A low number that grows at the end is not a low number.
One more point on fees. Ask what happens if you need a correction. Some offices charge again to fix their own mistakes. Others include it. Get the answer before you agree, and get it in the same written quote.
Red flags to avoid
- Fees based on your refund. The IRS tells taxpayers to avoid preparers who charge a percentage of the refund.
- No signature or no PTIN on the return.
- Promises of a big refund before they have seen your papers.
- Asking you to sign a blank or incomplete return.
- Wanting your refund sent to their account.
- No office, no phone, no way to reach them after filing.
If you run into a preparer who acted improperly, the IRS accepts complaints about paid preparers.
Local office or remote?
Our office is at 2941 W State Rd 434, Suite 100, in Longwood. Many clients in Longwood and the rest of Seminole County still prefer a person they can reach, and that is fair. But you do not have to drive anywhere. We also work remotely: you send your documents securely, we prepare the return, you review it, and it is filed. Read more on our services page or see where we serve.
What we do and do not do matters, so here it is plainly. We are a PTIN-holding tax preparation firm. We prepare returns. We are not a CPA firm, and we do not represent people before the IRS, handle collections, or set up payment plans. If you need that, a qualified professional who does representation is the right call.
What to gather before you call
- Photo ID and Social Security numbers for everyone on the return
- W-2s, 1099s and any other income forms
- Last year's return if you have it
- Bank details for direct deposit
- Records for deductions you want to claim
Having these ready lets a preparer give you an accurate quote the first time. When you are ready, the start page walks you through it.
Questions worth asking on the first call
You do not need to be a tax person to interview a preparer. Plain questions work best. Keep this list handy and use it with any office, ours included.
- Do you have a PTIN, and will it be on my return?
- Will you sign the return before it is filed?
- What is the fee, in writing, and what is included?
- What are the e-file and processing fees, listed separately?
- Who will actually prepare my return, and who will I talk to if I have a question in June?
- What do you not do?
That last question matters more than people think. A preparer who is clear about their limits is safer than one who says yes to everything. For us, the honest answer is that we prepare returns and do not represent clients before the IRS. If you get a notice, the CP2000 notice guide explains what one looks like and why you may want a qualified professional who does representation.
Take notes on the answers. If two offices give you very different quotes for the same return, ask each what is causing the difference. Usually it is a schedule, a rental, or a fee that one office lists and the other hides until the end.
Finally, trust how the office treats your documents. Your return holds your Social Security number, your bank account and your income. Ask how documents are sent and stored, and avoid anyone who asks you to email a photo of your Social Security card through a regular message. A careful office has a plain answer ready.
Give yourself time, too. The worst hiring decisions happen in the last week before a deadline. If you are still choosing in March, an extension can buy breathing room, and our extension guide explains how that works. Choosing calmly in January or February usually gets you a better fit and a clearer quote.
FAQ
Does a tax preparer in Florida need a license?
The IRS requires anyone paid to prepare federal returns to have a PTIN. Credentials such as CPA or attorney are separate and optional. Ask what the person holds and what they can and cannot do for you.
Is it okay to pay a preparer a percentage of my refund?
The IRS tells taxpayers to avoid preparers who base their fee on the refund amount. Look for a flat quote for the work, given in writing before it begins.
Can a preparer file my return without signing it?
No. A paid preparer signs the return and includes a PTIN. If the preparer line is blank, that is a red flag.
Can I use a Longwood preparer if I work with them remotely?
Yes. Secure document upload and a review call cover everything an office visit does. You still get the same signed return and the same written quote.
Sources
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Serving Longwood, Seminole County and clients across most of the U.S. remotely. See where we work.
General information, not tax advice for your specific situation. Rules can change, and a human preparer reviews your facts before any return is filed. Zero Fuss Taxes is a PTIN-holding tax preparation firm. We are not a CPA firm, enrolled agents or attorneys.