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How to Switch Tax Preparers

You do not need anyone’s permission and there is nothing to cancel. What you need is last year’s return, and ideally what you paid for it.

Reviewed by LaToya Clark-Thompson, FounderLast updated

Common reasons people switch

  • A different preparer every year, and having to explain your situation from the start each time
  • A refund or balance due that nobody explained
  • A letter from the IRS about a return the old preparer filed, and no one to ask about it
  • A life change, such as a new business, that the old setup does not handle well
  • The bill went up without a clear reason

Any of these is a good reason. Switching is routine, and your old preparer does not need to be involved.

What to bring when you switch

  1. Last year’s filed federal and South Carolina returns, with every schedule and form, not just the first pages
  2. The invoice you paid for last year’s return, if you want the Best Rate Guarantee comparison
  3. This year’s documents: W-2s, 1099s, Form 1098 and the rest of the tax prep checklist
  4. Any IRS or SCDOR letters you have received
  5. A short note of what changed in your life or business this year

If you cannot get a copy of last year’s return from the old preparer, a transcript from your IRS Online Account fills in the key figures. You are entitled to a copy of your own return, and most preparers provide one when asked.

What carries over from last year

This is why the full prior-year return matters more than people expect. Several figures carry forward and are easy to lose track of in a switch:

  • Depreciation on business assets, a vehicle or a rental property
  • Capital loss carryovers from investment sales
  • Unused credits that carry forward
  • Estimated tax payments and overpayments applied to the next year
  • For businesses, the entity’s prior return and its closing balances

Since we are looking at last year’s return anyway, the free prior-year review comes naturally with it. If something was missed, an amended return can often still recover it.

The Best Rate Guarantee

Our wording for it is plain: "We beat competitors’ prices by at least 10%, based on your previous year’s tax return. Bring last year’s return and the invoice you paid for it, and we will quote against it."

The comparison needs last year’s invoice, and it is for the same scope of work. If last year’s return left out a schedule that should have been there, this year’s is a different job, and we tell you that before we start. Without an invoice we quote normally. How we quote covers the rest, and why choose us is the short version.

Ready to move? Get started to create your secure portal account, or contact us to talk first.

Frequently asked questions

Is it bad to switch tax preparers every year?

It is not harmful in itself, but each switch puts carryover figures at risk, such as depreciation, capital loss carryovers and unused credits, because a new preparer starts only from what you bring. If you switch, bring the complete prior-year return. If you are tired of switching, look for a preparer you can keep, so the knowledge of your situation stays in one place.

How do I get my tax return from my previous preparer?

Ask them for a complete copy of last year’s federal and state returns, including all schedules. You are entitled to a copy of your own return. If that does not work, a transcript from your IRS Online Account shows the main figures, and your own records may have a copy saved from when you signed. Bring whatever you can get.

Can I change tax preparers after filing an extension?

Yes. An extension is filed under your name and Social Security number, not tied to the preparer who submitted it. A new preparer can complete and file the return within the extended deadline. Bring a copy of the extension and any payment you made with it, so the payment is credited correctly on the return.

Do I have to file with you after the prior-year review?

No. The review is free and carries no obligation. We look at the return you filed and tell you what we find, including when it looks right. If you then want us to prepare this year’s return, the switch is already halfway done, because we have your prior-year figures in hand.

Not the question you had? The full tax FAQ covers more ground, and our client reviews say what the work is actually like.

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Send a short note about your situation and we’ll come back to you with a straight answer — whether that’s a quote, a next step, or a referral if it isn’t something we handle.

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Prefer to talk? Call (864) 781-4035 or book a consultation.

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