A tax consultant is an individual, not a company that provides tax consulting services. This is different than a business that offers tax consulting services. A business is engaged in the business of providing tax services. A tax consultant is not an employee of any company but rather an independent individual who provides tax consulting services on an independent contract. The job of a tax consultant may be just as interesting as the job of a business owner, but consultants do not work for a fee.
Tax consultants assist their clients in saving money by making careful financial decisions on tax- related matters. They interview clients to collect information on their financial circumstances and formulate plans to assist them lower their tax liability by utilizing tax credits and other deductions. Clients can get in touch with tax consultants through tax professionals such as accountants, lawyers, or H&R Block tax consultants. Tax consultants also serve in the private and public accounting firms. When working with the accounting staff of these firms, the tax consultant is often referred to as a certified public accountant (CPA).
In the United States, tax consultants must pass a certification examination administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Candidates wishing to pursue a career in the field must pass this exam and obtain CPA certification. The certification exam tests cover not only general tax regulations but also complex tax code, such as the federal estate tax. Candidates who successfully pass the exam are then admitted into the tax practice profession. Certified public accountants (CPA) provide excellent attention to detail and analytical skills in financial documents and audits.
A tax consultant requires vast amounts of knowledge and experience in order to properly prepare tax returns and analyses. Therefore, they should be proficient at managing large amounts of data. They should be able to produce accurate, reliable financial reports, including both financial statements (for the current year and for previous years) and work orders (for assets, liabilities, and tax positions). They should understand all aspects of the tax code, including changes to the tax code that have affected personal income tax deductions, property tax rates, payroll laws, and other areas. Tax consultants should have excellent communication skills and be able to explain complicated concepts in simple English.
Most tax consultants begin their careers as independent contractors. As their client base grows, consultants may find themselves hiring employees to assist with different aspects of their business. Certified public accountants assist tax consultants in preparing financial statements, filing tax returns, and assisting with audits. Certified public accountants are responsible for understanding the complex nature of tax law and assisting their clients throughout the resolution of their legal issues.
Some tax consultants work directly for their clients. These consultants typically have extensive experience in a particular field. Tax advisors can also work at smaller firms, assisting newly licensed private detectives to understand and comply with tax code. In most cases, the tax consultant is paid on a per-need basis, which means that the more taxes a client owes the tax consultant, the more he or she will be paid. The majority of tax consultants work for the larger accounting firm they represent, but some also work independently.
When choosing a tax consultant, it is important to choose one who is experienced and proficient in assisting clients in maximising their tax deductions. Tax consultants should be willing to discuss the various options for taking advantage of every possible deduction. Some strategies can include reducing expenses such as car payments, taking an unpaid leave of absence, and even reducing daily expenditures such as taking a Communicare insurance supplement. Clients should ask their tax advisor which deductions they are most eligible to take. The tax consultant should also be able to provide detailed recommendations for clients taking advantage of the home mortgage deduction.
It is extremely important to choose tax consultants that have formal education in taxation, accounting, and/or business law. While many accountants are generalists, it is important that a high quality accountant has specialized training in tax law and accounting to ensure the maximum benefits for their client. A highly experienced accountant that only takes on client cases that fall within their area of expertise is preferable, since this ensures that the tax consultant is conversant with the subject matter and knows how to approach each case accordingly. In essence, any accountant that can demonstrate the capability to effectively represent his or her client is preferable.