How to evaluate your potential tax pro

OK, you’re now at your initial meeting, complimentary or not. Assuming the pro you are meeting with is a certified professional, he or she should be able to competently handle your tax issues.

Do you feel comfortable with this person?

Your tax adviser will come to know almost as much about you as your psychologist (if you have one). Your tax pro will know some of the most intimate secrets of your soul -- how you feel about your money!

Like Santa, he’ll know if you’re generous or greedy. Like your shrink, she’ll know if you’re an egomaniac or a wimp. (Of course, they can’t comment on that -- but they’ll KNOW!)

So it’s important that you’re willing for this to be the person you take into financial confidence.

Trust your gut feeling
If you feel this relationship is just not destined to be, trust your gut instinct and gracefully avoid a second meeting. (Go back to the “how to find a tax pro” section.)

Don’t be too daunted if your potential tax pro gets way ahead of you as they’re explaining things to you -- it’s so bred into them that it’s hard for them to comprehend that you might not understand when they pepper their sentences with words like "bifurcate". Just ask them to rephrase what they just said. If their second explanation works for you, fine; if not, maybe you should continue your search.

Don’t despair. You may have to kiss a few frogs before you find your tax pro prince or princess. But, never fear -- your quest will be worth the effort!

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