What do the letters behind the names mean (e.g., Jane Doe, LTC or Bob Smith, EA/CPA)? Does this tell me what kind of license they have?

Answer:  Those letters indicate their license or certification. (Currently, Oregon is one of the few states that licenses and monitors its tax consultants.)

Some of our members specialize specifically in tax preparation:
LTC	Licensed Tax Consultant
LTP	Licensed Tax Preparer
For some, tax preparation is only part of what they can offer you:
EA	Enrolled Agent (a national license)
CPA	Certified Public Accountant
CFP	Certified Financial Planner
Acct	Accountant
Atty	Attorney

 

back to top

Are all NATC members included in this listing?

Answer: No. We only display information for members who have specifically authorized us to do so, and some have not yet completed the authorization process in the Members Only section of this site. Other members prefer not to appear on the World Wide Web because of personal privacy concerns. If you have difficulty locating an NATC member in your area, please contact the NATC chapter and they can assist you.   

back to top

Do all states have the same licensing requirements for tax professionals?

Answer: No, not all states have a requirement yet! For example, in Washington State anyone can prepare income taxes – there is no license required.  


back to top

How do I know what type of license is appropriate for my situation?

Answer:  LTCs, LTPs and EAs specialize specifically in taxes. The distinction between LTC and LTP is a state-by-state differentiation. The difference between the LTC license and the EA license is that EA is a national license whereas LTC is a state designation. This may change as national registration becomes national law. In addition to preparing tax returns, an EA can represent a taxpayer without the taxpayer being present in any interaction with the IRS regardless of whether or not the EA prepared the original return. LTCs can only represent tax returns they prepared and signed in the first place. A CPA or Attorney may specialize in taxes, but many do not, and usually tax preparation is only a small part of what they do for their clients. In choosing a tax professional you don't need to buy services that exceed your current tax needs. Your first concern is selecting someone knowledgeable of the taxes to which you are subject.  

back to top

Last year's taxes were a nightmare – can a tax professional help me get my records in shape so that this year is smoother?

Answer: Yes, a tax professional can help you get organized, but following through on the plan is your own responsibility.  

back to top

Can a tax professional help me understand how new legislation in my area will affect my business?

Answer: Yes, a tax professional is required to learn the new laws and can help you interpret the effect on your business operations and your business plans.  

back to top

Can a tax professional help me prepare for an audit?

Answer: Most definitely YES. A person should always consult with a Tax Professional before an audit. If you get a letter from the IRS, whether it calls for an audit or just a phone call or a letter, ask a professional before responding.  

back to top

Can a tax professional act as my representative during an audit?

Answer: An Enrolled Agent (EA), an Attorney or a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) can represent you without you being present at an audit. A Licensed tax consultant can represent you if that person prepared the return. But to go beyond the scope of the original preparation, you need a federally authorized tax practitioner (an EA), a CPA or an Attorney, who can see you through not only the audit, but an appeal or a collection issue as well. Look at the issues. If you have documents to verify every item on your return and you just have to provide them in an organized fashion for review, your preparer is the best person to represent you. If you are missing documents, if there is some question about a deduction or the representation of some portion of your income, that's when you need an EA, a CPA or Attorney.  

back to top

Do I have to take all of my records to the tax professional?

Answer: We don't need all the records – most prefer not to see the paper bags arriving! A list of income and expenses is sufficient in many cases.  

back to top

How do tax professionals charge? Do different license types charge more/less? Will I need to pay in advance?

Answer: There are two common approaches: a "per form" charge (e.g., Form 1040 for $40, Schedule A for $35, and so on); or there is a "per hour" charge. Specifics will vary with the professional.  

back to top

Are the services of a tax professional deductible?

Answer: Yes, the fees are deductible as long as you can itemize your deductions.  

back to top

Are all NATC tax professionals faumiliar with not only federal, but state and other local taxes?

Answer: Yes, NATC requires 30 hours of education in tax laws, this includes state and local taxes.  

back to top

Is it better to work with a tax professional from my immediate area, so that she is familiar with local city/county/etc. tax codes?

Answer: It's helpful, but not necessary.  

back to top

Your site shows no NATC tax professionals in my area – what can I do?

Answer: If you have difficulty locating an NATC member in your area, please contact our main office and they can assist you.  


back to top

What if the advice that the tax professional gives me is wrong, and I have to pay a penalty?

Answer:  You are responsible to pay the penalty, buy you may appeal the penalty with the IRS on the grounds that you relied on the advice of a tax professional.

back to top

If I have a bad experience with an NATC member, is there an "internal affairs" group at NATC that will review my story?

Answer: Usually the individual state boards do the policing of their members. In Oregon, the Oregon State Board of Tax Practitioners also handles the complaints about LTC's who are unethical.  

back to top

Is my correspondence through this Web site confidential?

Answer: This site does not store any information you enter as part of correspondence. The staff recipient of your message is bound by professional ethics to consider your communications confidential.  

back to top

If I give you my email or mailing address, will I end up on some mailing list?

Answer: This site does not store any information you enter. The staff recipient of your message may retain your contact information to facilitate response to your inquiry.  


back to top

How much will it cost me to join the NATC? What are the annual dues?

Answer:  Annual dues are $85.00, half of which will be devoted to developing an affiliate chapter for your state. Persons who qualify for membership and who are current, registered members in good standing of a state or national tax association or society which is not otherwise affiliated with NATC may join as "Partners", and a partnership discount of 50% shall apply. (No state development funds shall be set aside from this membership.) Affiliated state chapters set their own dues and collect them directly from their members. A discounted NATC membership is granted to those members through the affiliate.


back to top

Can the NATC help me keep up with changing legislation?

Answer:  Member newsletters on line will keep you notified of legislative changes regarding areas of practice. For tax updates, please see our educational programs.

back to top

Does the NATC act as a lobbying group to affect legislation?

Answer:  At this time NATC is not organized as a lobby and does not have a lobbyist on staff. Representation of issues is handled by Board members and personal advocacy.

back to top

I've checked your list of chapters, and there is nothing within 100 miles of my location. What are my options?

Answer:  "At-Large" membership will give you access to the Members Only section of this website, a listing of your business in the publicly-accessible section of the site if you choose, and all member benefits. As membership grows in your area you will be encouraged to participate in developing a state chapter.

back to top

I live in the area served by the XXX chapter, but I have business ties in YYY – can I join that chapter instead?

Answer:  Yes. Please make a note concerning your preference on the membership application.


back to top

My state is not shown in the list of state organizations. What are my options?

Answer:  State organization will begin as soon as there are 6 active members willing to serve in leadership roles in a state. There are other organizations that might be organized in your area, but before selecting one, consider contacting the NATC Board and making connection with other interested professionals in your state. You may find that you have more in common with those interested parties.

back to top

Can you give me an example of the educational opportunities you offer?

Answer:  

There is everything from seminars, workshops and conferences, webinars and teleconferences, to informal breakfast discussion groups. Take a look at our Event Calendar – there may be something happening in your area right now!

back to top

Can non-members attend your seminars?

Answer: Yes. All seminars and conventions have a non-member price which is higher than the member price. You are encouraged to attend to get first-hand experience of the seminar benefits. Most state seminars and conventions honor national at-large membership with the discounted member rates.  

back to top

I think I could offer a class/seminar on XXX -- what's involved in setting up a class locally/at the convention?

Answer:  Please contact the NATC Vice President and outline a proposal. Remember to include your email return address and a phone number.

back to top

Do the people who give the seminars get paid? Receive a discount on their annual dues? Get brownie points of some kind? (in short, what is the incentive to offer a seminar?)

Answer:  There are a number of different incentives for teaching. Good education requires good preparation. No service to the organization is unrewarded.

back to top

Where is your annual convention? Is it always in the same place?

Answer:  The annual NATC convention moves each year to a different sponsoring state. To sponsor a convention, there needs to be either a state organization in place or 20 at-large members in the state. Guidelines are available to help new chapters select the level of participation they want to take in the development of the program, activities, and event. The goal of the organiztion is to bring education to your local community that might not be available to you without national support and to encourage networking within the local professional community.

back to top

If I join, would I receive some sort of certificate or other proof of membership?

Answer:  Yes, you can proudly display your certificate in your office demonstrating your affiliation with other tax professionals.

back to top

Do you do a criminal background check on applicants?

Answer:  Not at this time. However once national registration is in place, we will require proof of registration. National standards for registration will already screen out people who have a felony conviction, or who have been removed from service for ethical misconduct or improprieties.

back to top