My tax preparer won't call me back. How do I switch?

Months of voicemails, emails that go nowhere, and a promise that someone will call you back. That's one of the most common complaints in local tax-office reviews. Sometimes the return is half done. Sometimes a year was never filed at all, and the client only found out from the IRS.

You can switch preparers any time of year, even in the middle of a return. Here's how to do it without losing anything.

Step 1: Ask for your records, in writing

Send a short email: "Please send me copies of everything I gave you for my [year] return, and a copy of any return you filed for me."

Your preparer has to give you back your records when you ask, even if you're arguing about the bill. They're allowed to keep copies (Treasury Circular 230 §10.28, which applies to anyone paid to prepare returns under §10.8). A preparer also has to give you a copy of any return they filed for you (IRC §6107).

Step 2: Get your IRS transcripts yourself

Don't wait on anyone. Sign in to your IRS Online Account at irs.gov and download, for each year in question:

• Wage and income transcript: every W-2 and 1099 reported under your Social Security number.
• Account transcript: whether a return was filed for that year, and any balance, payment or penalty.

The account transcript answers the scary question fast: did my last preparer actually file? If there's no return on record, you'll know which years still need one.

New York returns can be checked in your NY Online Services account.

Step 3: Check the clock

If it's close to a deadline, file an extension. The federal extension (Form 4868) and the New York extension (Form IT-370) give you until October 15 to file. They don't extend the time to pay, so pay what you think you owe by April 15 to keep penalties down.

If a past year was never filed and you're owed a refund, you generally have three years from the original due date to claim it (IRC §6511).

Step 4: Hand the new preparer a clean package

• Copies of your last two filed returns (or the transcripts if you can't get them)
• Your W-2s, 1099s and other year-end forms, or the wage and income transcript
• Any IRS or New York letters you've received, with the response date
• A note on anything new: a side business, a rental, a move, a new baby

Step 5: Don't ignore a letter while you switch

If you've already received an IRS notice, note the response date and act before it. Switching preparers doesn't stop the clock. Many notices just need you to agree or send a correction, and some need an enrolled agent, CPA or attorney to respond for you.

How we take over a return

• We start from where your last preparer left off. You upload what you have to a secure client portal, and we pull the gaps from your transcripts.
• You know the price first. A written quote before we start, honored for 30 days. Our pricing page lists the minimums.
• You hear back. Messages get a reply the same business day.
• You see it before it's filed. We walk you through the return on a call, and nothing is filed until you e-sign.
• What we don't do: we prepare and file current and past-year returns, and amended returns when a filed return needs fixing. We don't represent clients in IRS audits, collections or appeals. If you need that, we'll say so on the first call.

Shane Panas is a New York State registered tax return preparer and IRS PTIN holder. He is not a CPA or an enrolled agent.

Frequently asked questions