Presentation: How to Choose a Paid Tax Preparer

Saturday, 2/15/2025
12:00 - 12:45

Get comprehensive guidance on selecting a reliable tax preparer. 

Learn more about the role of paid tax preparers, including gathering and organizing tax documents, determining tax liability and filing returns. We highlight the risks of choosing the wrong preparer, such as inaccurate returns, fraud and high fees. We discuss alternatives to hiring a paid preparer, like self-preparation and free assistance programs. We also warn against “ghost preparers” and outline red flags to watch for, such as promising inflated refunds and lacking credentials. We conclude with advice on verifying credentials, understanding other tax-related products and what to do if you become a victim of tax preparer fraud.

Presented by the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic, a program of the Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco.


Get expert help in managing your finances and learn how to make well-informed financial decisions about spending, saving, taxes, investing, retirement, estate planning and more.

A series of expert-led workshops covering everything you need to know to file your tax return safely and accurately, no matter your situation.


This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.


Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

Notice: This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the Library’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a staff person or the photographer. A sticker will be provided to help identify you so that we can avoid capturing your image.


Public Notice and Disclaimer

This program uses a third-party website link. By clicking on the third-party website link, you will leave SFPL's website and enter a website not operated by SFPL. This service may collect personally identifying information about you, such as name, username, email address, and password. This service will treat the information it collects about you pursuant to its own privacy policy. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of each third-party website or service that you visit or use, including those third parties with whom you interact through our Library services. For more information about these third-party links, please see the section of SFPL’s Privacy Policy describing Links to Other Sites.

The views and opinions expressed in programs presented by groups unaffiliated with SFPL do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SFPL or the City.