Tax Preparers Warn About Filing Online

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9 for NewsOn6.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- More taxpayers are choosing to file their returns online, often for free. But plenty of tax preparers say filing online could mean missing out on big money, and your tax return is too important to risk filing alone.

While there are many ways to file your taxes, from using a tax preparer to online options, for Janice Sample there is only one way.

"I have a tax preparer that I've been using since I've lived in Oklahoma City" Sampler said.

Not even the free offers are enough to entice her.

"Anything free, they say it's free, doesn't necessarily mean it's free," Sampler said.

"If you file online, you risk missing some of the great credits with the IRS has come out with," tax preparer Kim Ray said.

Kim Ray has been preparing taxes for years and said the biggest mistake besides the errors people make on their taxes is those who choose to file by themselves.

"Some of them, I'm sure it works well in some situations, but it's astounding how you would think how everyone's taxes are basically alike, but there is something different about so many returns," Ray said.

And Ray said those differences, especially tax credits people don't know are available, can add up.

"Lots of guys don't know alimony is deductible, and a lot of women who receive it don't know it's taxable, and don't claim it. There is just many different situations." Ray said.

Another reason Ray said you should file with a tax preparer, the IRS is auditing more Americans these days and if they find a mistake, it could end up costing you a lot more than the time you saved filing online.