06/26/2026
I was reading the EA journal, and came across an interesting statistic.
In, “The Importance of Credentials and Accountability”, Megan Killian writes:
“…There are hundreds of thousands of tax preparers in the marketplace, and only 43% are credentialed, according to data provided by the IRS in April 2026”.
Megan continues: “That means many taxpayers may be relying on preparers who are not subject to professional standards, continuing education requirements, or ethical oversight. For taxpayers, that can mean inconsistent service, preventable errors, and, in the worst cases, fraudulent or abusive practices. For tax precessional who hold themselves to a higher standard, it highlights the importance of credentials and accountability.”
I couldn’t agree with this more. Year after year I hear stories from new clients who have experienced the above mentioned issues because they chose to go with the cheaper alternative and ended up having to pay more in the long run to correct the problems created by the un-credentialed preparers.
Therefore, I urge everyone to verify credentials of their tax professional and use wise judgment on who to trust with your financial future.