Knowing whom to trust when choosing to work with a Tax Firm…

Do they follow thru with their words and actions?

There’s no denying our world is a very tough and competitive place. Of course results matter. But before you decide to enter into a relationship with a tax firm, please remember – their conduct in their words and actions with you as their (potential) client is as, or even more important than what results they claim they can get for you.

That’s because you won’t be able to verify the results they claim they can get you until they complete their work. But you can always tell if they are honest, transparent and have your best interests at heart with a simple conversation. If you take the time to listen, you will know in a very short period of time if they are someone worth hiring. How?

LISTEN!

Now, by conduct, I don’t necessarily mean they sound sweet or caring, though of course you should never work with anyone that belittles you or makes you feel stupid or ashamed. Rather what I mean by conduct is, integrity. Integrity includes and transcends honesty, and is actually more about harmony and consistency in words and action. For example, if a snake bites you if you get too close – that’s integrity! That’s what a snake does and is being true to itself.

But a human is a much more complex being. A person who has not evolved beyond his inner snake will promise not to bite you, guarantees it, yet will bite you the same. This is, as I like to call it, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. And most tax firms are exactly that.

Going back to my first post in this series, it’s always up to you to protect yourself:

“Hiring someone to fix your IRS tax debt is engaging in a relationship. A relationship is always a 2 way street, and what you do is as, or even more important than what they do, that is, if you don’t like being a victim or victimized.”

What you do is even more important than what they do?

Yes, in a relationship, you can only 100% control your own thoughts, words and actions. Thus if they don’t meet your standard in any way, like in a relationship, you have the choice to stay or leave.”

I can’t tell you how many people I’ve spoken with that agree with this, in theory yet go with the tax firm that is promising some big result with no real proof. I have a couple thoughts on why they do, but truthfully, I don’t know why for sure. And some of these people have gotten burned multiple times too?

So how can you tell if a tax firm conducts themselves with integrity?

Do they follow thru with their words and actions?

This can be as simple as calling when they say they will call. Or sending you that email with that Special Report they promised you. Yes should mean yes. No special promise needs to be made. If they have integrity, they will automatically follow thru and be consistent in their words and actions. If they tell you they care about their clients, if their tone or energy changes after they’ve gotten your money, well that’s not a good sign.

Though this sounds simple, believe it or not, acting with integrity consistently is one of the hardest things to do. Obviously no one is perfect. As humans we make mistakes, so you should be paying attention to what they say. Are they making excuses? Do they accept their error? Do they take the steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again? Only you can decide if it meets an acceptable level of integrity for you. If you have doubts, chances are they aren’t the right tax firm for you.

Obviously, character alone is not enough. But in life, if someone won’t follow thru with the simple things, chances are they will not be able to follow thru with the more difficult things, especially when their integrity is on the line and their values are really tested. The way to avoid this is to never put your self into that position, whether you’re dealing with taxes or your significant other or even family. The main way a tax firm doesn’t put themselves into that position leads us to our second point:

Are they making you a bunch of promises they can’t back up?

TO BE CONTINUED………..