What Your Tax Preparer Should Be Doing for You (And What They Shouldn’t)

Financial Horizons: Insights for Building Wealth and Securing Your Legacy

By Dr. Jose G. Cardenas, Chief Tax Strategist at The C & R Group, LLC

Here’s the truth—most people have no idea what their tax preparer is actually responsible for.

They walk into an office, hand over a stack of papers, sign whatever is put in front of them, and hope for a refund. If the numbers “seem fine,” they assume everything was done correctly.

But your tax preparer isn’t just a human calculator. When they do their job right, they are:

• Protecting you from costly mistakes
• Helping you claim every legal deduction and credit
• Making sure your return is accurate, compliant, and on time

In this edition of Financial Horizons, let’s break down what a tax preparer is really responsible for—so you know exactly what to expect, what to demand, and when it’s time to upgrade.

1. Filing Your Tax Return Accurately

At the most basic level, your tax preparer is responsible for helping you file an accurate tax return. That means:

• Entering your income, deductions, and credits correctly
• Matching the forms you provide (W-2s, 1099s, etc.)
• Ensuring Social Security numbers, names, and addresses are correct
• Using the proper filing status and forms for your situation

Sounds simple—but this is where a lot of damage happens when you use:

• Someone who “does taxes on the side”
• A preparer who rushes through returns like a factory line
• A person who never asks follow-up questions

Accuracy is non-negotiable. If your preparer doesn’t double-check their work or ask you clarifying questions, that’s a red flag.

2. Helping You Claim All Available Deductions and Credits

A great tax preparer doesn’t just enter numbers—you want someone who digs for every legal deduction and credit you qualify for.

That means they should be asking about things like:

• Dependents and family situation (Child Tax Credit and others, when applicable)
• Education expenses
• Retirement contributions
• Self-employment or side hustle income and expenses
• Medical, property tax, mortgage interest, and charitable giving (when relevant)

Their job is to translate your life into the tax code and make sure you’re not:

• Overpaying tax because something was missed
• Losing out on credits that could reduce your bill dollar-for-dollar

If your tax appointment feels like a five-minute data entry session with zero conversation, you’re not getting what you deserve.

3. Calculating Taxes Owed (or Refund Due) Correctly

Your tax preparer is also responsible for making sure the math and logic behind your return are correct. That includes:

• Calculating your total taxable income
• Applying the correct tax rates and credits
• Factoring in withholding and estimated tax payments
• Determining whether you owe or will receive a refund

A good preparer explains:

• Why you owe or why you’re getting a refund
• Whether your withholdings or estimated payments need to change
• What you can do this year to avoid surprises next year

You should never leave a tax appointment thinking, “I have no idea how they got that number.” Clarity is part of their responsibility.

4. Filing Your Return on Time

The best tax strategy in the world doesn’t help if your return is late.

Your tax preparer is responsible for:

• Knowing the correct deadlines for your type of return (individual, partnership, S-corp, C-corp, trust, etc.)
• Filing the return by the due date, or
• Filing a proper extension when more time is needed

But here’s the part you share responsibility for:

• Responding to your preparer’s questions
• Getting them your documents early enough to do quality work

A reliable tax professional will give you clear timelines and tell you what they need—and will not wait until the last second every year. Chronic last-minute scrambling is a sign of a broken process.

5. Staying Within the Law—No “Magic Tricks”

Your tax preparer is responsible for helping you follow the law, not “work around it.”

That means they should never:

• Suggest hiding income or ignoring 1099s
• Make up fake deductions or expenses
• Claim credits you clearly don’t qualify for
• Tell you “don’t worry, the IRS will never notice”

A legitimate professional will:

• Explain the difference between tax avoidance (legal planning) and tax evasion (illegal)
• Show you how to reduce taxes using strategies the law actually allows
• Put everything in writing and stand behind their work

Remember: when something goes wrong, your name is on the return. You want a preparer who is aggressive within the rules—but never reckless.

6. Communicating and Educating—Not Just Printing Forms

The job isn’t just to file a return and disappear. A true tax professional should:

• Take time to answer your questions
• Explain major items on your return in plain language
• Tell you what to change this year so next year looks better
• Help you connect taxes to your bigger wealth and legacy goals

You don’t need an hour-long seminar, but you do deserve more than a hurried “Sign here.”

If your preparer never talks strategy—only data entry—it might be time to level up to a tax strategist, not just a tax preparer.

Tax Preparer vs. Tax Strategist: Know the Difference

• A tax preparer focuses on last year—reporting what already happened.
• A tax strategist looks at this year and beyond—designing moves that will reduce taxes over time.

You deserve both:

1. A preparer who files clean, compliant returns
2. A strategist who helps you legally pay less and build wealth year after year

That’s the standard we hold ourselves to at The C & R Group, LLC.

🔗 Read more at: https://thecrgroupllc.com/financial-horizons

📅 Want a tax professional who doesn’t just file your return—but actually fights for your financial future?
Book a consultation with Dr. Cardenas

About the Author

Dr. Jose G. Cardenas is a retired U.S. Army Finance Officer and the Chief Tax Strategist at The C & R Group, LLC. With a Doctorate in Business Administration and over 20 years of experience in tax planning and financial strategy, Dr. Cardenas helps individuals, families, and business owners reduce taxes legally, stay compliant, and turn their money into lasting wealth and legacy. Learn more at thecrgroupllc.com

📌 Disclosure

This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as personalized legal, tax, or investment advice. Responsibilities and standards for tax preparers may vary based on jurisdiction, credentials, and regulatory requirements. You should consult with a qualified tax professional regarding your specific situation. Dr. Jose G. Cardenas, DBA, provides tax advisory services through The C & R Group, LLC. Insurance and investment strategies may be offered through his role as a licensed financial professional affiliated with Experior Financial Group.

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