What qualifications does the team have?

Preparing a claim takes two kinds of knowledge: tax and the technical field the work is in. In some countries the people who prepare tax claims must be registered with a professional body or the tax authority and are bound by a code of conduct; the position differs by country.1Source 1Tax Agent Services Act 2009, sections 30-5, 30-10 and 30-15 (Australia); Treasury Department Circular No. 230 (United States). More detail on your country page. Knowing who is on the team, what they are qualified in and whether a body stands behind them tells you who answers if something goes wrong, and what standards they have agreed to work to.

Named people with their roles and qualifications, and the body each is registered with where the country has one. A technical reviewer with experience in your field, or an honest statement that the adviser will rely on your people for the technical judgment. A willingness to put the names in the engagement letter.

A team described only as "our experts". Qualifications that do not match the work, such as a marketing background presented as technical expertise. An adviser who will not say whether they are registered where registration exists. A refusal to name who will do the work.

The detail for your country, including which body registers advisers and how to check, is on the country pages.

• The clause: who signs the claim
• The script: asking to see the claim before filing
• Green flag: named people with qualifications you can check. Red flag: pressure to sign quickly
• Checking an adviser's credentials for your country

Sources

1. Tax Agent Services Act 2009, sections 30-5, 30-10 and 30-15 (Australia); Treasury Department Circular No. 230 (United States). More detail on your country page.  Back