Q. My CPA was very busy this tax season and she wanted me to do an extension — not because I didn’t give her what she needed but because she was swamped. Is that a bad thing?
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Cash-strapped Americans anxious for tax refunds are increasingly turning to payment advances, prepaid cards or other costly services when getting tax preparation help, according to new federal data raising concerns among regulators about whether consumers are fully informed about the fees.
Some consumer tips to help avoid excessive fees or potential fraud when using paid tax preparers, according to the Justice Department, Internal Revenue Service and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: