Are you a Chartered Accountant, or what are your qualifications for this work?

A CA qualification is not mandatory for ITR filing, but it matters for complex situations. For simple ITR-1 filings, a trained tax practitioner is adequate. For business income, capital gains, foreign income, or tax audits under Section 44AB, a practising CA is required. Clarify qualifications and ensure they match your specific situation.

Which ITR form will you file for me, and why?

A tax professional should be able to tell you immediately which ITR form applies to your income sources and explain why. If they are unsure which form applies to someone with salary income plus capital gains, that is a warning sign.

Have you handled cases similar to mine. Specifically my income sources?

ESOP taxation, foreign income, capital gains from unlisted shares, or rental income from multiple properties each have nuances. Ask whether they regularly handle the specific income types in your return.

What is included in your fee. And what triggers additional charges?

Clarify exactly what is covered: filing the return, responding to an intimation (143(1) notice), or responding to a full scrutiny notice (143(2)). Many professionals charge only for the initial filing and bill separately for any subsequent correspondence with the tax department.

Which tax regime will you recommend for me. Old or new. And how will you decide?

A professional should model both regimes using your actual numbers before recommending one. If they give you a recommendation without running the numbers, ask them to show you the comparison. The difference can be ₹30,000–₹1,00,000 for many taxpayers in the ₹10–20 lakh income range.

How do you handle advance tax planning. Not just filing?

A good tax professional proactively advises on advance tax payments, optimal investment timing (ELSS, NPS before 31 March), and tax-saving opportunities during the year. Not just at filing time. If their scope is limited to annual filing, you may be missing significant planning opportunities.

What is your process if I receive a notice from the Income Tax Department?

Notices under Section 143(1) (intimations) are common and usually straightforward. Notices under Section 143(2) (scrutiny) are more serious. Ask whether notice response is included in your fee or billed separately, and what their typical response time is.

How will you verify that all TDS deducted is credited to my Form 26AS?

Mismatches between TDS certificates (Form 16/16A) and Form 26AS are a common cause of tax notices. A careful professional reconciles your TDS certificates against Form 26AS and AIS before filing, and flags any discrepancies for correction with the deductor.

What documentation do you need from me, and by when?

Get a specific list. Typical documents include Form 16, bank statements, investment proofs (80C, 80D), property documents, capital gains statements from brokers, and rent receipts if claiming HRA. Clarify the deadline for document submission relative to your filing date.

What is your turnaround time from document submission to return filing?

For a straightforward return, 2–5 business days is reasonable. For complex returns, 7–15 days. Confirm you will receive a copy of the filed return and acknowledgement (ITR-V) immediately after filing.

Tax Filing

10 Questions to Ask a Tax Consultant Before Filing

The 10 questions to ask any tax consultant before handing over your documents. Covering qualifications, scope, fees, and how they handle notices.

Ajsal Abbas

22 April 2025

5 min read

Quick summary

The 10 questions to ask any tax consultant before handing over your documents. Covering qualifications, scope, fees, and how they handle notices.

Why these questions matter

A tax filing error is not just an inconvenience. It can result in scrutiny notices, disallowed deductions, interest charges, and penalties. Most errors happen when the scope is not clearly defined upfront or when the professional does not fully understand your income sources. Use these questions to qualify any tax consultant before you share documents.

The 10 questions

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