1. Paid preparers can't use the personal version of turbotax. It doesn't contain the necessary information for use by a paid preparer which violates the Turbotax license and IRS regulations.
2. Intuit does make 2 different professional programs that are allowed for use by paid professionals. However, the tax data files don't transfer to the personal Turbotax program. To prepare a 2017 return, just start using the program. Any needed 2016 information can be entered from a copy of your prior return when you are asked for it.
3. If the preparer did use Turbotax installed on their own computer, only they have copies of your tax return, they are not online with Turbotax.
4. If the preparer used turbotax online, you might be able to call customer service and have the user account transferred to your name and email address. Proof of identity would be required.
5. If you can't get your prior information any other way, you can request a transcript from the IRS. https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript
Who was the "tax preparer"? Paid tax preparers cannot use TurboTax, unless they are using one of the professional versions such as LaCerte or Proseries. Was this someone you paid, or just a friend or relative who did you a favor?
If this was a paid preparer, and the errors were his fault, he should prepare amended returns for you at no charge. Then find a new preparer.
I paid them. He has an office and promotes himself as a tax preparer. My reports have turbo tax on them but he has never given me a way to access anything he has done other than a pdf he has sent through email.
Thank you, yes he was paid. Took it directly from my refund.
He sounds shady. As xmasbaby0 said, paid preparers are not supposed to use TurboTax. And I don't understand how he could have deducted his fees from your refund using TurboTax. He almost certainly had to have done something that violates IRS regulations at a minimum, and is possibly outright illegal. I would definitely look for a new preparer. The following link on the IRS web site might help you find someone.
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional">https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional</a>
It's still worth trying to get the old preparer to prepare amended returns at no charge, because if you have someone else prepare amended returns you will have to pay them to do it.
It sounds like the tax preparer diverted the user's refund to his own bank account somehow. Definitely shady.
There is a way to report a tax preparer to the IRS.<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14157.pdf">https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f14157.pdf</a>
Thanks again for your help. I will be on this first thing in the am
Not only "shady" but probably illegal. A paid preparer cannot use TurboTax since TurboTax specifically puts "Self Prepared " on the line that paid preparers must sign and enter their PITN.
1. Paid preparers can't use the personal version of turbotax. It doesn't contain the necessary information for use by a paid preparer which violates the Turbotax license and IRS regulations.
2. Intuit does make 2 different professional programs that are allowed for use by paid professionals. However, the tax data files don't transfer to the personal Turbotax program. To prepare a 2017 return, just start using the program. Any needed 2016 information can be entered from a copy of your prior return when you are asked for it.
3. If the preparer did use Turbotax installed on their own computer, only they have copies of your tax return, they are not online with Turbotax.
4. If the preparer used turbotax online, you might be able to call customer service and have the user account transferred to your name and email address. Proof of identity would be required.
5. If you can't get your prior information any other way, you can request a transcript from the IRS. https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript
Thank you so much! I am working on this today. I can’t seem to find the TurboTax number.
To call TurboTax customer support
<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263-what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number">https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1899263-what-is-the-turbotax-phone-number</a>
They are available Monday-Friday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time.
I would also file a police report. Which state are you in? Some states require tax preparers to be licensed