Tax Accountant Vs CPA- Understanding The Difference

tax accountant vs cpa
When it’s time to file taxes, several small businesses have particular tax services need they didn’t encounter the preceding year and may not know whom to call for expert guidance.

If you are in that position, you may wonder whether you hire a CPA or a tax accountant. The answer depends on the specifics of your tax situation.

CPAs and tax accountants are both professional tax preparers, but they perform various tasks. Let us check out how a CPA differs from a tax accountant.

Who Is A Certified Public Accountant Or CPA?

In accounting, a CPA license is a highly sought-after credential due to the knowledge level and expertise a CPA must possess. Becoming a licensed CPA expands career opportunities and leads to more income for professionals who pursue accounting.

Get in touch today


Now, the CPA is a professional who has passed the CPA exam and fulfilled all state-required training and work experience required to obtain their license.

Every state has its own set of requirements that you must meet before obtaining a license; there is no national CPA license.

As CPAs are licensed through the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), they are certified to practice only in the state that has granted the license. It is possible for CPAs to become licensed in other states under some circumstances. For tax accountant Santa Monica there is no state-wise license.

CPA performs several services, including:

Preparing Taxes and Providing Tax Advice

CPAs prepare income tax returns for businesses and individuals, as well as forms for various other financial obligations such as property taxes. CPAs also provide advice to clients regarding tax situations and how to save money to that minimize one’s tax liability.

Financial Statement Audits

CPAs are known for making a career out of preparing taxes, but that’s not the full range of potential services. CPAs routinely audit client’s financial statements and provide expert advice on what they need.

Who Is A Tax Accountant?

Tax accountants work with clients to produce tax return documents that follow tax laws and regulations. They keep their clients updated on their return information, and work with them before tax time to derive a plan that will help them reach their desired financial goals and outcomes.

Get in touch today

Tax accountant Santa Monica often works longer hours during tax time, as they make themselves fully accessible to their clients to make the tax process as easy as possible for them.

Do They Differ?

Most tax accountants are Certified Public Accountants. Non-CPAs can prepare and compile financial statements, whereas CPAs can also assist their clients during IRS audits.

In addition to preparing taxes, tax accountants assist individuals and businesses in financial planning and estate planning. Unlike CPAs, the knowledge level of income tax preparers is limited to their ability to provide their clients with advice regarding preparing and filing tax returns with the IRS.

Finally, if you are in the early stage of your business and need tax assistance, a tax accountant can help. But when the business grows a CPA can be helpful.

Related Article: How To Choose The Right Tax Accountants Near Me?

Contact Us Today:

    (*) indicates mandatory fields

    Locations:

     

    Santa Monica

    Marina Del Rey

    Beverly Hills

    Jarrar & Associates CPA, 100 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 700, Santa Monica, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States, (310) 887-1313 Jarrar & Associates: Sam, 475 Washington Blvd, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, United States, (310) 887-1313 Jarrar & Associates CPA, Inc., 433 North Camden Drive #400, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, United States, (310) 887-1313

    Legal Ways To Pay Less And Save More In Tax

    tax deduction
     

    Wouldn’t you prefer to lighten the tax load? Well, there isn’t anyone who wouldn’t cherish it. However, there are several things you can do to actually save your tax or increase your tax refund.

    Most importantly, none of these methods are illegal.

    But most of the time it doesn’t come to your mind.  If you have no idea how to go about it, hire experts who can help you find ways to reduce the tax bills.

    Here are some of the easy ways you can save money on the tax.

    Schedule A Consultation Today!

    Table Of Contents

    1. How To Save Money On Taxes?
    2. How To Reduce Federal Taxes?
    3. How To Take The Right Deduction?

    How To Save Money On Taxes?

    tips to save money on taxes
     

    Give yourself a raise– One of the ideal ways is to give yourself a raise.  If you have a tax refund this year, it means you have paid more than you actually needed to.

    Simply talk to your employer about it and he would ensure you get more money when you earn it.

    Now, if you are average, you deserve a raise of $225 a month extra. You can talk to the experts offering tax services to help you.

    Boost the retirement savings– One of the other ideal ways to lower the tax bill is by reducing the taxable income. You can contribute up to $17,500 to the 401(k) or similar retirement savings plan.

    Interestingly, the money contributed to this plan doesn’t get included in the tax income. If you haven’t started one, you can talk to your tax service expert regarding how to save tax.

    Check if you qualify for earned income tax credit– the earned income tax credit applies to low and moderate-income taxpayers. They can offer credit as high as $6000.

    In fact, several tax service experts have urged taxpayers earning less than $50,000 to check whether the credit applies to them.

    Many people qualify however without knowledge lose out on the benefits. Availing tax services can help you solve this doubt.

    Related Article: Tax Planning For Beginners- Some Key Principles For You

    How To Reduce Federal Taxes?

    reduce the burden of federal taxes
     

    Start Your Own Business

    Become an entrepreneur as it can improve your tax situations. It is because the business owners can take control over how they pay their taxes.

    You also have the option of keeping more money in the company than drawing it as income. You can even count some costs as expenses.

    Tax professionals can help you navigate the ins and outs of these expenses that are lengthy. So, now you know how to lower your taxable income.

    Can You Save On Taxes?

    One of the first questions you need to determine is whether you need to enlist the help of a professional to handle your business taxes — and help you plan in advance so that you can take advantage of certain deductions.Get in touch today

     

    How To Take The Right Deduction?

    claim the right tax deduction
     

    Set Up Books And Records

    Even though you may use a casual approach to recordkeeping for personal taxes, you cannot do this for business. The tax law particularly requires certain records in order to take deductions.

    Without the records, legitimate expenditures may not be deductible. Here’s what you must comply with tax rules:

    A system to track the income and expenses– you can do it easily with a computer-based recordkeeping solution that enables you to handle the matter yourself.

    Procedures to collect and store required receipts and other proof– set up file systems to categorize your receipts.

    Finally, these are the ways to reduce the tax bills. Make sure you hire an expert to get the best results.

    Contact Us Today:

      (*) indicates mandatory fields

      Locations:

       

      Santa Monica

      Marina Del Rey

      Beverly Hills

      Jarrar & Associates CPA, 100 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 700, Santa Monica, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States, (310) 887-1313 Jarrar & Associates: Sam, 475 Washington Blvd, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, United States, (310) 887-1313 Jarrar & Associates CPA, Inc., 433 North Camden Drive #400, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, United States, (310) 887-1313