The following tips will help you choose a GOOD tax  preparer who will offer the best service for your tax preparation and all your tax needs.
First of all, check on the person’s or company’s qualifications and find out if the preparer is affiliated with a professional organization that provides its members with continuing education and resources and holds them to a code of ethics or conduct.
Check to see if the preparer has any questionable history. One of the ways to check is with with Better Business Bureau in your area, the State?s Board of Accountancy for CPAs or the State?s Bar Association for Attorneys. You can also use a search engine like google to see if there is any information on line about the preparer. You will find complaints on line many times. Find out about their service fees and especially avoid preparers that base their fee on a percentage of the amount of your refund or those who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers. Some of these tax preparers will wind up in jail and your tax return will wind up being audited.
Make sure the tax preparer is accessible. Be sure  you will be able to contact the tax preparer after the return has been filed, even after April 15th, in case questions arise. Many have email addresses and a web presence.
Provide all records and receipts needed to the preparer to complete your tax return. Most reputable preparers will request to see your records and receipts.  They will also ask you multiple questions to determine your total income and your qualifications for expenses, deductions and other items.
Never ever sign a blank return and avoid tax preparers that ask you to sign a blank tax form.
Review the entire return before signing it.  Make sure you review it and ask questions. Make sure you understand everything and are comfortable with the accuracy of the return before you sign it. If it is a joint tax return make sure the spouse is present with this as well.  Also, make sure the preparer signs the form. A paid preparer must sign the tax return as required by law. Although the tax preparer signs the return, you are still responsible for the accuracy of every item on your return. The preparer must also give you a copy of the return.
At last, ask the tax preparer if they will defend the tax return should the IRS chose to audit the it. If a balance is due,  make sure the checked is stapled to the tax return.