Looking for a tax pro goes beyond just head knowledge. You don’t want to work with someone who’s smart but rolls their eyes at you whenever you have a question about taxes.

Here are some important qualities you should always look for in a tax advisor before you agree to trust them with your taxes:

1. They’re qualified and have the right certifications.

When it comes to getting tax advice, find a pro who’s either an Enrolled Agent (EA) or a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

EAs and CPAs both go through extensive training, testing and continuing education to maintain their credentials and stay up to date on tax laws and regulations so they can better serve you. Someone who only has a preparer tax identification number (PTIN) isn’t going to cut it.

2. They’re available all year.

Nowadays, there are a bunch of part-time tax preparers who pop up during tax season only to disappear once they file your tax return. If you have a question about (or a problem with) your tax return after April, good luck trying to find them!

Plus, things happen throughout the year that can have a big impact on how you file your taxes—like buying a house or getting married. That’s why having a reliable tax pro who’ll pick up the phone to answer your tax questions throughout the year (not just January through April) is a must.

3. They’re happy to answer your tax questions.

Your tax advisor should always be ready to sit down with you and answer your questions about all things taxes—from what a tax deduction is to what the “K” in 1099-K means. That’s what it means to have the heart of a teacher!

4. They’re proactive in communicating with you.

You don’t want somebody who just does the bare minimum, files your return, and walks away. That’s lazy. You need a tax pro who’ll take the initiative and keep an eye out for things you might need to change for the upcoming year.

If your pro notices you got a big refund or a huge tax bill, they’ll suggest making changes to your tax withholding so your tax bill next year will be as close to zero as possible.

5. They can help you with your taxes next year.

Having a tax advisor you can turn to year after year can save you from explaining the same things over and over again to a new random tax preparer every spring. Who has time for that?

Besides, it helps to have a tax advisor who knows you and your tax situation well enough to give you solid advice and strategies to help you reduce your tax bill.

6. They can be trusted with sensitive information.

It’s one thing to have a friend or family member help you move a couch into your new home. It’s a completely different ball game to trust them with the intimate details of your financial life. 

That’s why it’s important to find a tax advisor you can trust—an actual professional you can rely on to handle your personal information responsibly and get the job done. Trust is the foundation of any strong relationship—including your relationship with your tax pro!