I prefer to have my home business taxes prepared by a professional. There are lots of reasons for this. But I didn’t just head down to the local chain tax prep place and bring my stuff. Instead, I called around to different tax preparers and accountants. Finally, I chose an accountant that has served me well for the last few years, and who has been a great help to my home business finances. Here are some things to look for a tax professional:

* Services: Make sure that your tax professional offers the services that you need for your home business. It might make sense to have an accountant who can do other things on top of tax prep. Or it might be comforting to know that your tax professional will represent you in case of an audit.

* Fees: While price is important, it isn’t everything. In some cases, you get what you pay for. If the tax prep services are cheap, there might be a reason for that. But, on the other hand, sometimes a really expensive service is just that — really expensive. Shop around and get an idea of what is a reasonable fee.

* Trust: It’s a good idea to work with someone you trust and are comfortable. Meet briefly with your top candidates to determine whether or not you mesh well. You should also get references to double check and make sure that your preferred tax professional comes recommended.