Did you know that in the State of Illinois, anyone can set up shop to prepare your taxes? In fact, only California, Maryland, New York and Oregon require tax preparers to meet certain minimum requirements. So how do you go about choosing a reputable tax preparer who won’t overcharge you–or worse, make costly errors on your tax return that could lead to an IRS audit? According to Sandra Block, senior associate editor with Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, there are several things you can look for to help you determine if your tax preparer is legitimate. One tell-tale sign is whether or not your tax preparer has a PTIN, or Preparer Tax Identification Number. Federal law requires all tax preparers to sign the returns they prepare and include this number.

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