Thompson & McCarty, P.C. CPA

The IRS is trying to clean up the slew of people that report Head of Household and claim EIC.  That have instituted new due diligence requirements for tax preparers designed to make the client really follow the rules of eligibility for this filing status and refundable tax credit.  What the taxpayer will be hearing from "Qualified" preparers this year is a list of questions designed by the IRS to help determine the eligibility for a the Head of Household filing status and the eligibility to receive EIC.

I personally don't like the questions they are making me ask this year but I applaud them in what they are attempting to do.  The problem, as reported today on Fox 6 News, is that many tax preparers are just not following the rules.  What you should know is that unless a tax preparer has some kind of professional license (Certified Public Accountant, Public Accountant, Enrolled Agent, etc..) then they likely do not answer to any higher authority than the customer.  So pick your preparer with care.  You are responsible for the contents of your return.