Review support costs extra
Help with a tax authority review can be priced separately. That is a legitimate choice if it is clear, and a problem if it is hidden or open-ended.
A red flag is a reason to ask more questions. It does not mean an adviser has done anything wrong. This page describes a practice in general terms and is not about any particular firm.
When it is a problem
- The proposal says nothing about reviews, and you learn that support is extra only when a review arrives.
- Support is charged by the hour with no estimate, no cap and no say for you in how much time is spent.
- The headline fee was compared against other proposals that included support, so the comparison was not fair.
- The adviser's help is limited to the claim as filed, and new questions are treated as new work at a new price.
When it is not a problem
- The letter says plainly that review support is separate, gives a rate and an estimate, and you chose the lower fee knowing that.
- The fee model is hourly throughout, so review work is simply more hours at the same stated rate.
- The adviser includes a fixed number of hours of support and prices the rest, and the letter says so.
- You have your own tax adviser who will handle any review, and you asked for support to be left out.
What to do
- Ask whether review support is included, what it covers, and for how long after filing.
- If it is extra, ask for a rate, an estimate and a budget that cannot be exceeded without your agreement.
- When comparing proposals, add the likely cost of support to any fee that excludes it.
- Ask who would do the review work and whether the working papers will still be available when a review comes.
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