Search the Office of the Attorney General Search Attorneygeneral.gov SUBMIT A COMPLAINT Report a Data Breach Search the Office of the Attorney General Search Attorneygeneral.gov Menu The Office News & Media Get Help Family Matters Kids Seniors Military & Veterans Affairs Natural Gas Royalty Lawsuit General Protection Bureau of Consumer Protection Civil Rights Consumer Advisories Home Improvement Charitable Giving Identity Theft Insurance Fraud Puppy Lemon Law Health Care Related Opioid Battle Healthcare Matters Medicaid Fraud .cls-1{fill:#6d6e70;}Vector Smart Object Do Not Call List Do you receive unwanted calls? Check or add your phone numbers to the Pennsylvania Do Not Call Registry. Resources OAG Information Official AG Opinions Commonly Asked Questions Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative Send Drug and Child Predator Anonymous Tips Service of Process General Resources Brochures & Publications Community Drug Abuse Prevention Grant Program ACRE – Agriculture, Communities and Rural Environment Tobacco Enforcement Section Pennsylvania State Coroners’ Education Board Concealed Carry Agreements Voting and Election Information in Pennsylvania Conviction Integrity Section Registrations Home Improvement Contractor Registration Health Club Registration Telemarketing in PA Fireworks Display Registration Uniform Planned Community Act Home Improvement Contractor Registration Home Improvement Contractor Registration Contact Search the Office of the Attorney General Search Attorneygeneral.gov Home > Get Help > Consumer Advisories > Money > Do you have any tax preparation advice? Do you have any tax preparation advice? We are bombarded with advertisements on television, radio and the Internet, singing the praises of tax preparation services, software and speedy refunds. We naturally have questions about the pros and cons of these options. Should I prepare my own return? Are there other options? Many people find preparing their annual tax return themselves a challenging and rewarding annual process. For others, the prospect of doing this without outside help is daunting. Filing your taxes does not need to be stressful. There are several computer programs you can purchase or download that explain what to do step-by-step. If you do not have access to a computer, tax forms and publications are available at public libraries, post offices and from the IRS, free of charge. You can also use tax preparation services or consult with financial experts, like certified public accountants or tax attorneys, when filing your return. Reputable tax professionals can assist with complex returns, and their expertise often provides peace of mind to consumers with concerns about their taxes. If you choose to use a tax preparation service, always ask for a breakdown of the various fees upfront before the return is prepared. The fees may include a charge for preparing the return, for electronic filing and, for automatic deposit of refunds in your bank account. Services like electronic filing and direct deposit are not required, but may be worth the extra cost to you, because they speed up the process. Consumers are not obligated to purchase many of these services which are considered optional. Say no to any service that you do not want. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It’s your money. If you don’t feel comfortable with something, voice your concerns to your preparer. My tax preparer offers a speedy refund – is this a good idea? No one can provide you with a “refund” of taxes you paid except the IRS or the state and local taxing authorities. If you see an advertisement offering money upfront, before your return has been processed and a refund issued, you are being offered a loan – a Refund Anticipation Loan (“RAL”) – not an actual refund. Can I benefit from a RAL? RALs are high-cost, short-term loans secured by a taxpayer’s expected refund. RALs provide consumers with an amount of money that is less than the amount the consumers would receive if they waited for their actual refund. Refunds are reduced by the fees charged by the tax preparation service, which may include loan fees, electronic filing fees, document preparation fees and tax preparation fees. There may be additional charges for late repayment. Many consumers use these types of loans because they want quick refunds. However, a cheaper and better alternative is for consumers to file their taxes electronically and have the refunds directly deposited into their own bank accounts. By doing this, you can still get your money back quickly, but without incurring interest and other loan fees. Are any tax preparation services available if cost