Questions to ask an accountant

[Eric Smathers]

So I recently set up an LLC with Legal Zoom and completely forgot that with my purchase I get a complementary 30 minute consultation with a tax accountant. I'm not wanting to waste the opportunity but for the life of me I'm not sure what questions to ask first. If you had a 30 min free consult with an accountant, what would you ask?

[Michael Lucero]

Probably about their hobbies and family ;). 

Assuming you are starting a business and its in real estate you may want to ask at what level does a tax return need to get filed; company or personal. So get an understanding of pass through entities from them, which an llc is. 

Ask what paperwork you need to save and how to save it during the year so that can eadily have your taxes filed. 

Ask about 1031 exchanges if you intend on selling real estate holdings and want to delay paying taxes on earnings. 

Ask if they have recommended local CPAs in your area that has experience in real estate.

I imagine this "free" 30 minutes is an upsell to try and get you to hire this cpa but you can still take the time to ask their fees or standard fee structures in hiring a cpa.